𝗛𝗔𝗭𝗠𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘: HoST Team Collects Syringes and Biohazard Waste at Palisades Park Encampment

SANTA MONICA — On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Santa Monica’s Homeless Support Team (HoST) responded to Palisades Park to conduct a cleanup operation following a police-led encampment clearance. Santa Monica Police officers had earlier removed individuals from the bluffside park overlooking the beach. Once the area was cleared, HoST was dispatched to address the debris left behind — including numerous empty liquor bottles, scattered trash, and several used hypodermic needles. To safely remove the hazardous materials, a HoST crew member was seen carrying a biohazard sharps container — a red, hard-sided disposal unit designed specifically for collecting medical waste such as used syringes, needles, and other sharp objects that could pose a health threat to the public. These containers are part of the team's specialized equipment to ensure both worker and community safety. HoST operates under the city’s Public Works Department and currently consists of one crew leader and two maintenance workers contracted through Mariposa. The team works in coordination with the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments, often serving as the primary response for encampment-related sanitation issues flagged through the 311 system or reported by field staff. Launched in late 2023, HoST has addressed hundreds of locations citywide. A transition to a fully in-house city team is planned for later this year, with expanded coverage and dedicated vehicles. All crew members undergo enhanced training in de-escalation, hazardous waste handling, Naloxone administration, and safety protocols involving bloodborne pathogens and fentanyl exposure. The program is funded through voter-approved Measure CS, which increased the hotel tax to support Clean & Safe efforts, public safety initiatives, and homelessness response. Santa Monica Closeup will continue tracking the city's expanding approach to public health and urban safety in shared spaces. — Reported by Santa Monica Closeup On the ground, covering Santa Monica’s evolving public safety response from the frontlines.

𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬: Santa Monica Workers Call for Affordable Homes on Former Airport Land

SANTA MONICA — On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a coalition of Santa Monica residents, workers, faith leaders, and students rallied on the steps of City Hall, urging the Santa Monica City Council to include deeply affordable housing in redevelopment plans for the nearly 200-acre Santa Monica Airport site, which is slated to close by the end of 2028.

The event, titled Home is Sacred, was organized by Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), the Cloverfield Commons Coalition, and UNITE HERE! Local 11. The demonstration brought forward a broad spectrum of voices advocating for a mixed-use vision that includes both limited-equity housing and substantial open space.

Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels and Father Nate Rugh opened the event by framing housing as a moral and spiritual imperative. “There’s got to be some room in over 200 acres for affordable housing,” said Rabbi Comess-Daniels. “There’s got to be room for people who work here to live here.”

Among the speakers were long-time hotel workers Maria Espinoza and Valerie Martin, both members of UNITE HERE! Local 11. Martin, a front desk worker at the Courtyard Hotel, described being born and raised in Santa Monica, yet unable to afford living in the community her family has called home since the 1960s. “We, the essential workers, are the ones that make this city run,” Martin said. “And yet we can’t afford to live here.”

The proposal known as Cloverfield Commons envisions a modestly scaled, mixed-income development on a portion of the airport land, including limited-equity co-op housing for local workers and displaced families, along with a public park. Advocates say the project aligns with Measure LC—a 2014 voter-approved initiative requiring the land be reserved for parks or open space unless otherwise approved by voters.

Hajar Muqtasid St. Clair, a community leader and member of the original Cloverfield Commons Visioning Committee, addressed the city’s historical displacement of Black and Latino families from the Belmar Triangle and the Pico neighborhood. “This is not charity. This is justice,” she said. “Let’s bring displaced families home—not with plaques, but with policy.”

Santa Monica Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya, also in attendance, urged the city to embrace change. “Buildings don’t make a community—people do,” she said. “It’s time to start finding opportunities to say yes.”

Youth voices also took the stage. Maya Luna Muñoz, a Santa Monica High School sophomore and third-generation resident, called affordable housing a human right. “This doesn’t just mean four walls and a roof. It means accessibility, stability, autonomy, and comfort,” she said. “This development will strengthen our community as a whole.”

Reneé Buchanan, a former Santa Monica Housing Commissioner who once experienced homelessness, spoke about the evolving priorities facing the city. “Ten years ago, building a great park where the airport now stands seemed like the best way to meet our community’s needs,” Buchanan said. “Today, however, the landscape has changed; and so must our vision also change.”

Speakers encouraged attendees to complete the City of Santa Monica’s online Survey 3A—available through April 27—and to engage with VES 4, the city's virtual planning session that outlines redevelopment options.

Denny Zane, founder of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, and Rev. Jim Conn, CLUE leader and former Santa Monica mayor, both spoke on the city’s long legacy of housing advocacy. They called this moment a pivotal chance to revive Santa Monica’s progressive roots and re-center housing as a public good.

Santa Monica Closeup was on the ground to document the demonstration and will continue tracking the council’s decision-making process as it moves toward selecting a final redevelopment plan by the end of 2025.

— For more information and to get involved, visit www.cloverfieldcommons.com
Santa Monica Closeup will continue coverage on housing, land use, and public policy affecting the city.
© SM©U | All rights reserved.

𝗛𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗦: Santa Monica’s Dune Project Welcomes Wildflower Bloom and Wildlife Revival

Santa Monica, CA — On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup visited the site of the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project, where a vivid display of wildflowers signaled promising progress for the local coastline. The restoration area, spanning approximately three acres, is part of an initiative led by The Bay Foundation in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica. Today, the beachfront landscape was brightened by the yellow blooms of Beach Evening Primrose, a native species thriving in the coastal strand habitat. These resilient plants, adapted to endure salt spray, strong winds, and intense sunlight, are essential for stabilizing sand dunes and supporting a variety of wildlife. As the vegetation matures, it captures windblown sand beneath its branches and leaves, gradually building natural dunes. These formations act as buffers, shielding the beach and nearby infrastructure from waves, extreme tides, and the advancing threat of sea level rise. The living shoreline not only enhances natural beauty but also provides critical habitat for insects, birds, and endangered species. Scientific monitoring continues at the site, with findings intended to guide similar restoration efforts along the Los Angeles County coast. According to The Bay Foundation, this local strategy is part of a broader adaptation to global climate change, as rising seas and increasingly powerful waves challenge Southern California’s iconic beaches. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is also enhancing the developed coastline by introducing natural beauty and educational opportunities. Residents and visitors alike — especially children — are becoming more familiar with the value of native plants and healthy beach management. The area has quietly emerged as a destination for eco-tourism, offering birdwatching and a firsthand view of a “softscape” climate change protection project in action. Informational signage at the site underscores the urgency of the work, highlighting how natural solutions like dune restoration can preserve coastal ecosystems while defending against future environmental risks. Visitors today paused to observe the flourishing habitat, read the educational displays, and appreciate how native plants are helping to safeguard Santa Monica’s shoreline for generations to come. To learn more about the project, visit: Santa Monica Beach Restoration Pilot Project: https://www.santamonicabay.org/what-we-do/projects/santa-monica-beach-restoration-pilot-project/

𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦: Modular Home Installed on Lot Destroyed by January Wildfire

On Monday, April 7, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup documented the installation of a modular home at a cleared lot in Pacific Palisades, where a residence once stood before it was destroyed by the Palisades Fire. The new structure reflects a growing trend among fire survivors, as modular and prefabricated homes present a faster, more efficient path to recovery in the aftermath of the devastating wildfire.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, rapidly expanded due to severe drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour. The wildfire burned approximately 23,448 acres and destroyed 6,837 structures, including homes, businesses, and places of worship. Evacuation orders impacted over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas. The fire tragically resulted in 12 fatalities and multiple injuries. High winds initially hampered aerial firefighting efforts, complicating containment operations. The blaze was fully contained on January 31, 2025.

Today, at the once-devastated site, construction materials and equipment were seen on location as the modular unit was delivered in sections and carefully positioned for assembly. For many residents, modular homes represent a practical and timely solution, offering the promise of returning to their properties and rebuilding their lives sooner rather than later.

As rebuilding efforts continue across the Palisades, the sight of new structures rising from the ashes serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the community.

𝗞-𝟵 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠: Santa Monica Fire Department Welcomes Roger the Support Dog

𝗞-𝟵 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠: Santa Monica Fire Department Welcomes Roger the Support Dog

SANTA MONICA — The Santa Monica Fire Department has officially introduced its newest team member: Roger, a certified support dog trained to provide comfort and emotional support to firefighters, city employees, and community members.

Roger, an English Labrador, joins the department under its newly launched K-9 Peer Support Program, aimed at promoting mental wellness and resilience among first responders. Alongside his handler from the department’s peer support team, Roger will visit fire stations, attend debriefings following critical incidents, and participate in community events, offering much-needed companionship in high-stress environments.

“This program is a proactive step in supporting the mental wellness of our firefighters and city employees,” said Fire Chief Matthew Hallock. “The presence of a therapy dog has been proven to lower stress levels, improve morale, and encourage open conversations about mental health. We believe this initiative will make a meaningful impact on our team.”

The program underscores the department’s commitment to fostering a healthy work environment, recognizing the high-pressure nature of firefighting and emergency response work. Santa Monica now joins a growing network of Southern California agencies implementing similar programs, including Redondo Beach Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, Huntington Beach Fire, Westminster Police, Newport Beach Fire, and Torrance Fire.

The department also extended its gratitude to the city staff, community partners, and mental health professionals who supported the development of this initiative. Officials emphasized that the program reflects national best practices for first responder mental health support.

Roger's role is set to become a visible and comforting presence both inside the department and throughout the Santa Monica community.

𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡’: Convoys of Trucks Drive Cleanup in Pacific Palisades, 90 Days Later

PACIFIC PALISADES — On Monday, April 7, 2025, exactly three months after the devastating Palisades Fire first ignited, Santa Monica Closeup documented the massive recovery operation underway in Pacific Palisades. Across the hillsides and along Pacific Coast Highway, a relentless flow of dump trucks and heavy work vehicles could be seen in motion, transporting soil, concrete rubble, twisted metal, and fire debris from burned-out neighborhoods to processing facilities.

The scale of activity was overwhelming. Hundreds of trucks crisscrossed the fire zone, forming convoys along canyon roads and coastal routes. Crews worked in coordinated formations, loading, hauling, and clearing vast amounts of material as part of the region's aggressive cleanup and rebuilding effort. The scenes captured reflect a determined push to clear the scars left by the wildfire and lay the groundwork for recovery.

The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, rapidly expanded under severe drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. The blaze scorched approximately 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures — including homes, businesses, and places of worship — and forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding communities. High winds initially hampered aerial firefighting efforts, complicating suppression operations. The fire was declared fully contained on January 31, 2025.

In the months since, cleanup crews led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and private contractors have accelerated debris removal operations. Dump trucks loaded with concrete and metal debris now make continuous runs between impacted neighborhoods and the nearby Temescal Canyon recycling hub, where materials are crushed, baled, and prepared for reuse. Materials that cannot be recycled are sent directly to authorized disposal sites.

Monday’s scenes offered a stark reminder of both the scale of the devastation and the scale of the response. The heavy machinery, dust clouds, and steady grind of truck engines signal a region in motion, pushing forward on the long road to recovery.

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: Homeless Man Known as ‘Turtle’ Killed at Dog Park — Police Hunt Gunman

Venice, CA – April 3, 2025 — A fatal shooting late Wednesday night near the Westminster Dog Park in Venice has left one man dead and sparked a large-scale investigation and community mourning. The victim, known affectionately by locals as “Turtle,” was shot just after 10:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of Pacific Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers arrived to find the man deceased in the parking lot near the dog park, where a candlelit memorial had appeared by Thursday morning. Friends and witnesses gathered to pay their respects, remembering a man they described as selfless, protective, and deeply loved. One of those friends, Mark — a local resident who lives in a van near the park — spoke with Santa Monica Closeup at the scene. “It’s a very heavy day,” he said. “We lost someone near and dear to us. Turtle was very loved.” Mark stepped aside to allow Cheyenne, identified as Turtle’s girlfriend, to speak about the man she had known for nearly a decade. Cheyenne, visibly shaken and emotional, described Turtle as her protector, best friend, and a constant source of laughter and comfort. “He died protecting me and our best friend, our home,” she said. “He was the most stand-up man you could ever meet.” She recounted the horrifying moments after the shooting. “I asked him to wake up for me... anything, tell me you’re okay,” she said. “His eyelids were blue and black... I wiped what I now realize was brain matter from his face.” Cheyenne described being in a state of shock, surrounded by blood, pleading with Turtle as he struggled to speak in his final moments. “He was gurgling,” she recalled. “Then someone said, ‘He’s dead.’ I was screaming. I don’t even remember everything.” The two had just recently made their relationship official. “He made me his girlfriend a few days ago,” she said. “He told someone I was his wife.” Through tears, she called him “the captain” of their community. “We’re pirates,” she added. “We share, we take care of each other. He stood up for us. That’s who he was.” Witnesses said the shooting occurred after Turtle stepped in to intervene during a heated dispute between a couple. He was reportedly trying to calm the situation when he was shot. The suspect fled the scene. A nearby resident, who lives in a building next to the dog park, described a dramatic overnight police response. “Helicopter lights were shining into my house,” the neighbor said. “Officers were yelling, ‘Stop, put your hands up.’ It felt like live action was happening right outside.” Police reportedly focused their attention on a neighboring apartment unit, repeatedly instructing anyone inside to exit. “Eventually they went in, but no one came out,” the witness said. LAPD maintained a perimeter until late Thursday morning, with helicopters overhead for hours. Detectives believe the suspect may reside in the area, but no arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon. The relationship between the victim and the alleged shooter remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.