New funding for “non-sheriff security” may ultimately create a new “safety kiosk” program serving West Hollywood neighborhoods on the Eastside and possibly expanding to Mid-City and Westside areas.
Public Safety Director Kristin Cook estimated there might be funding for two separate kiosks within the city’s three main sections — the Eastside, the Mid-City and the Westside. Planning had already taken shape to place a kiosk in the east, which typically generates a greater number of emergency response requests. The funding was first discussed at the West Hollywood City Council’s subcommittee meeting on budget last week.
However, Commissioners debated whether a possible second kiosk would be more valuable in the city’s center or its West. Both sections of the city saw substantial increases in crime according to stats presented at the Commission’s meeting on May 10.
Chairperson Amanda Laflin expressed concern for the Mid-city.
“I feel like a lot of the times everybody’s over on one side or the other, and in the mid-city, it gets a little fuzzy,” she said. Laflin also pointed out the possible Metro spots that are on the horizon, and how they might affect public safety.
“I would not want to leave out city center,” Commissioner Kerri Balbone agreed, “especially when we keep looking at the crime stops, because it’s clear that there are needs.”
Commissioner Tod Hallman noted that Plummer Park and the West Hollywood Gateway area also deserved attention.
“You know how passionate I am about having a kiosk on the Eastside — Santa Monica and La Brea,” he said. “There are a lot of businesses there we’ve lost … Boss Burger and Kale Me Crazy because of the pandemic. That corner, because it’s the gateway into West Hollywood and across the street is L.A., I just think it’s extremely important.”
Discussions on the kiosks will continue in future budget meetings. The funding discussed will also provide for an additional MET team for homeless outreach.
I use to work for BBB in West Hollywood and I love the people of weho the only issue is the one running the account which is shae Gibson he has just made the account worse ever since David had left, that work place is so toxic nobody follows the rules they are so laid back and nobody does there job at this account also they discriminate so much at this work place especially on your sexuality and race they treat you differently depending on what you are and it shouldn’t be that way they don’t acknowledge the hard work… Read more »
Sorry to hear about your experience with Block By Block. You’re not alone your voice will be heard. Hopefully these comments spark up conversations at the next city council meetings.
wehoville next Topic of discussion should be “Public Safety Ambassadors in Weho’s future”
First order of business for new city manager David Wilson is to end it’s contract with Block by Block.
It’s time for The City to end its contract with Block By Block DBA Mydatt Services Inc. Like the previous person said they haven’t seen an ambassadors patrol… Per contract they’re supposed to be patrolling the Santa Monica Blvd on bikes around the clock. It’s time for the city manager public safety director and the sheriffs captain to step in and put an end to block by block. The city should redirect the funds that it’s pays block by block and use it towards homeless services and additional funding for Sheriffs department or installing security cameras along Santa Monica Blvd… Read more »
Forget the kiosks. Hire more sheriff’s deputies.
I don’t know about a “non-sheriff security” kiosk. Basically, a security guard. We know how much people respond to them. I don’t know why we are so afraid to actually address people that are doing bad things with people that actually have the authority to do something about it. I would love to see a sheriffs deputy kiosk at key points throughout the city. And as far as the current neighborhood security ambassadors – I haven’t seen those people riding their bikes through my neighborhood in years! Crime is on the rise – not a time to address the problem… Read more »
Got it. The staff will do a study and then go into an elaborate presentation introducing card board cut outs pointing fingers in every direction. Voila! Crime was in everyone’s imagination. Problem solved.
I think JJ1 hit the nail on the head ambassador’s haven’t been seen, Well if you drive around the city you’ll find them munching down on the free food McDonald’s, walking around with 7-11 big gulp, behind the pink dot or 1 hotel. A few weeks ago I asked some of ambassadors what Happened to their bikes they said that there bikes were broken and their manager took the working bikes away and locked up in storageroom. Kiosk at Entry points of the city is joke, ambassadors are useless, slow response or the never show up. City Council and City… Read more »
It would be responsible journalism to identify and explain exactly what the “Non Sheriff -Public Safety Kiosk” Is, who operates it and what the scope of responsibility actually is. Euphemisms and vague references tell us nothing of value. If Wehoville is presuming to be a conveyer of accurate information, please do that. Thank you.
this was a by-pass mention at the city council meeting which made it to the public safety commission conversation, and we reported it as a possibility in the future? If you would like to see the reference its on your tube, west hollywood public safety commission at 1:35 to 1:45 under the Block by Block discussion.
I wish the article explained what a public safety kiosk is. Maybe the article can be edited to explain that because it doesn’t seem that I’m the only one that does understand it.
this is an item that is being discussed has not been agendized and there is no set plan. Its an idea that is coming forward.
What is a “Non-Sheriff…..Public Safety Kiosk” and what can and can’t they do?
Just curious.
This item was brought up at 1:36 in the Public Safety Meeting, as part of the budget and additional staffing forward, possible under the Block by Block security ambassadors.