September 2, 2025
SMCLC has always had two missions: to give residents a voice in the development decisions that dramatically impact their lives, and to advocate for City government transparency so residents can have the same access to information that informs decision-making as those with money and power.
While crime and homelessness have never been our focus, like many Santa Monicans, we find it impossible to ignore our City’s slow — and at times seemingly rapid — decline.
After all, we have the words “livable city” right in our name, and no one can seriously argue that our city is becoming more livable.
Our Council’s only answer — advocating that every neighborhood in Santa Monica intensely densify with more non-affordable housing — is doing nothing to solve our problems. Indeed, it will only exacerbate them by making our city less affordable, while pushing traffic, fire protection, and water supply to the brink.
This recent article from L.A. Magazine succinctly identifies how the firing of Santa Monica’s police chief is another example of a City Council more interested in asserting its power than the well-being of its residents. It is also a Council disturbingly disinterested in government transparency.
https://lamag.com/news/santa-monica-police-chief-announces-abrupt-resignation/
And to the Councilmembers who will complain that they don’t make hiring and firing decisions — we know. Just as we also know that major decisions like this are not made without your tacit approval or even prodding. We see you. And what we see is a Council that is tone deaf to residents, out-of-control, and — with the exception of Lana Negrete — needs to be replaced.
