Several weeks ago, I submitted a brief article discussing the devastating fire on Maui and emphasizing the need for the city—comprising residents, businesses, and visitors—to be prepared for disaster response. The article received only two comments, neither of which met my expectations. Last week, I forwarded the article to all members of the City Council, the city manager, and the supervisor of public safety, as disaster preparedness should be a part of their responsibilities, not just crime prevention.
I wasn’t expecting immediate action on the article, especially given that the city’s focus often seems to be on less urgent matters like grammatical corrections, international trips, and building designs. However, I do wonder if anyone at City Hall even took the time to read it.
This leads me to question how the city is prepared to handle emergencies like tornadoes, severe flooding, or a significant earthquake, especially if they occur during off-hours. Years ago, Kevin Buton and I briefly reviewed the city’s emergency response plan. While it seemed adequate for daytime operations, it was unclear who would manage the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) during non-working hours. There are, however, many residents qualified to operate the EOC around the clock. The city owes its residents a comprehensive discussion on this topic.
I’ve been observing the city’s governance since its early days, when the City Council operated out of a couple of rooms on the second floor of a building on Western Santa Monica Boulevard. I remember wondering if part-time council members could effectively manage the city. Years later, at a celebration marking our tenth year as a city, I had a conversation with Tom Hayden about the challenges of city governance. He noted that full-time council members might be a luxury we can’t afford, a point that seems even more relevant today.
The city manager used to issue a bi-annual state of the city report, a practice that has unfortunately fallen by the wayside. While attending City Council meetings provides some insight into the city’s operations, it’s not a complete picture. Email reminders about meetings help, but how many residents actually receive these? If not for email reminders with the meeting agenda attached from Lauren Meister and the lengthier one from the city, I’d be unaware.
As a ninety-one-year-old trying to manage daily life, I wonder if I’ve lost touch with my city. I’m sure some will let me know, but these questions and concerns remain pertinent for all residents.
As I have frequently said, this city council seems unable to focus on the nuts and bolts of sound municipal governance, opting instead for performative bullpucky like crosswalks and pronouns. Public safety and preparedness are the first priority in sound municipal governance.
I remember the chaos and reactions of the city residents when the shooting at that luxury apartment building occurred a few months ago.The sheriff department closed down a few city streets and after several hours were not able to locate and capture the gunman who started the whole thing in the first place. There were no notices or updates to city residents about what was going on.Apparently there were no city plans on how to handle such an event.if the city does not have a plan to deal with such a sudden event,what makes you think they have a plan… Read more »
In pushing agendas that will only serve their own political careers, the city council has completely lost touch with the actual needs of the city and it’s residents.
What do you mean what does the city owe us? They have given us so much! They have given us, scooters, delivery, robots, outzones, pickle ball, higher minimum wages, higher taxes, fewer sheriffs, and block by block! They have done so much for us, that they believe we should be grateful! Crime? Natural disasters? Housing? Homeless? Repair and maintenance of city streets? Public safety? Those are no fun! Didn’t John Erickson say he wanted to make this a fun city for people under 40?? Didn’t Chelsea opt for more scooters and a free trip to Israel? Didn’t Sepi opt for… Read more »
I remember those regular warning sirens in the 70’s, and I too wonder why they just suddenly stopped. My hunch is for the most likely kind of disaster in the area, an earthquake, there really isn’t any warning time that would do any good. Other than a foreign attack of some kind, a warning wouldn’t help. Also, I’m pretty sure everyone would just ignore a siren anyway. You are right to bring up what the city has and doesn’t have in place. I suspect the attitude of the City council is it’s much more fun and glamorous to be off… Read more »
Dear Carl, I read your initial editorial on the subject. I agree with your points and on our city’s preparedness. I didn’t post because I get so much flack on criticizing our extremely ill prepared city council and my “continually cruel remarks” on their performance. You are 100% correct, we are not prepared for any catastrophic occurrence nor do we have anything in place to assist first responders or resident response teams. When ever this was Brough up previously, it was the county’s responsibly to save us as the rhetoric goes. 🤮 With the help cut of our previous city… Read more »
You should not be timid about expressing your views. The very basis of our unique democracy is the freedom to expressone’sopinion.There may be many who agree with you.
Carl, it is clear you have not lost touch. You remain one of most clear minded observers of our City. It just seems the City has lost touch and seems detached from adult world realities and the real issues facing our residents. I often wonder if we have real contingency plans for an active shooter or a smash and grab assault on Melrose or Sunset Plaza, not to mention any natural disasters. I wonder if the City monitors the contingency plans for the West Hollywood Housing Corporation, who are responsible for providing housing to many of our seniors and disabled… Read more »
Thank you Carl. With the exception of Lauren Meister, it is likely that the city council members treat their council position as a side hustle, making connections to expedite their upwardly mobil objectives.
Have no confidence that any of the council members could handle the mildest of emergencies and I would not feel confident putting my safety in their hands. Since I have always been prepared for most every eventuality I again will depend on myself and hope others don’t fly into panic mode.