The Santa Monica Daily Press provided candidates with three opportunities to address readers this year. Candidates were asked to fill out a short form survey, provide responses to written questions and invited into the Daily Press office for a one on-one interview about their candidacy. Candidates were given three questions and allowed to answer any or all of them as they saw fit.
The vast majority of Santa Monica’s homeless population were made homeless somewhere else and traveled to Santa Monica. What is the city’s role and responsibility in addressing homelessness given the regional nature of the problem and the disproportional impact the crisis has on Santa Monica?
Alright, let’s be honest about what’s happening in Santa Monica. This homeless crisis didn’t just pop out of nowhere; it resulted from policies from LA County and beyond. Every night, dozens of homeless individuals are put off buses and trains right here at the end of the line. This constant inflow isn’t manageable. It’s like trying to bail out a sinking boat with a spoon.
Santa Monica has been acting like the homeless population is some static number, and that’s a big part of the problem. You can’t make good policy if you’re ignoring the facts. The demand for services is endless, and no amount of money spent will ever be enough if we keep pretending otherwise. We’ve had Point-In-Time counts that hover around 700 to 900 since 2009, but we’re sheltering fewer people than ever—down 62% over the last decade. Meanwhile, the city pours $9 million into homelessness every year, with half-empty shelter beds. That’s not just a failure; it’s an embarrassment.
Here’s a solution: Let’s tie funding directly to results. I propose that we put every service provider on a performance-based contract. If they don’t reduce the number of homeless people in our city, they won’t get paid. We must also overhaul the city’s RFP process to replace service providers who can’t deliver results. It’s time to stop rewarding failure.
And the data’s clear: nearly 80% of the homeless folks here have mental health problems, and 75% have substance abuse issues. Yet the LA County Department of Health is out there enabling addiction by handing out needles in our parks. These aren’t just parks—they’re the only outdoor spaces that most of our renters have. What message does that send? We’re not protecting the residents who live here.
LA City and LA County spend nearly $2 billion annually on homeless services, which is about $26,000 per homeless individual. They need to step up and deploy those resources effectively, not just shuttle people into Santa Monica. They’re the ones sending people our way, and it’s time we made them take responsibility for the impacts on our city.
Finally, we should fully utilize the recent Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass. We now have the tools to set policies that protect our residents, entrepreneurs, and families. Santa Monica has the right to be clean, safe, and vibrant, and we’re going to make sure it stays that way.
The city's economy continues to lag and a recent study said Santa Monica was among the most expensive places to operate a business. What will you do to address the City’s economic challenges and increase local revenues?
Santa Monica has been draining its entrepreneurs for far too long, treating them like an ATM to keep the General Fund afloat. This mentality is driving businesses away. Instead of supporting those who create jobs and invest in the city, Santa Monica’s labyrinth of permits, endless fees, and downright unfriendly attitude toward business owners suffocates the commercial sector. This has to end.
Let’s be clear: safety and security are not luxuries — they’re the bedrock of any thriving economy, especially a people-based one like ours. When visitors don’t feel safe, they stop coming. When residents don’t feel secure, they stop supporting local businesses. We have the potential to be a world-class destination with our iconic Pier, the Promenade, our shopping district, and the Civic Center. But we’ve let crime and instability turn these assets into liabilities. In 2014, downtown Santa Monica accounted for 34% of our sales tax revenue. By 2023, that number had plummeted to 20%. If we don’t course-correct, it’s only going to get worse.
Santa Monica must become the best place for entrepreneurs in Southern California. Let’s make business permits fast and easy with a one-stop process. We can assign every business owner a "permitting advocate" to help navigate the red tape, ensuring they get operational licenses without unnecessary delays. If we can approve housing developments in record time, we can do the same for businesses that keep our city running.
Remember, the General Fund depends on commercial activity — it fuels our parks, schools, and public services. If we keep driving businesses out, we’re hurting the economy and every resident who relies on these services. It’s time for Santa Monica to put its money where its mouth is and start treating businesses like the assets they are, not the enemy.
Every candidate who spoke to the Daily Press brought up Public Safety as a top priority. What has driven this subject to the forefront of local politics and what are you going to do to make residents feel safe in their public spaces?
It is gut-wrenching to read headlines about violent crimes and police attacks in Santa Monica. People are understandably worried. They should be. The issue of personal safety isn't just a talking point in a city where over half the population is female. This is an absolute necessity. Having brought my kids downtown in the past, I cannot say I feel comfortable with that now. The same concerns have been expressed by other parents and residents nearby-they're concerned about their families' safety.
However, what do we hear from some members of the City Council? The presence of police somehow makes people feel less safe. They couldn't be further from the truth. As in every major destination city around the world, most people want to see officers on foot patrol. The return of uniformed, armed police isn't a luxury; it's a necessity if we want to protect our community and assure visitors that Santa Monica is a safe place.
There is a drug problem at the center of this chaos. Drug interdiction is essential, plain and simple. We must cut off the drug supply that fuels violence and takes over our neighborhoods.
In addition, let's take a look at the downtown area. Signs of decay include boarded-up shops, filthy sidewalks, and parking structures that look like they belong in a horror movie. Downtown Santa Monica is the face of the city, and right now, it looks tired and neglected. Public spaces need to be cleaned, parking structures need to be repaired, and security cameras need to be installed. Bringing back a sense of pride and safety is more than just about appearances.
Santa Monica needs to start with the basics if it is going to make a comeback. The focus should be on safety, cleanliness, and supporting local businesses. Visitor-driven economies are built on these building blocks. People will return, our General Fund will be rebuilt, and the city will get back on track. Santa Monica should be restored to the place that people want to live in and visit again if we are serious about taking action.
