THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024
2023 Laguna Beach Crime Statistics Show Overall Decrease in Violent and Property Crimes
The Laguna Beach Police Department is pleased to report that the City was safer in 2023, as violent and property crimes decreased overall for the third consecutive year. The 2023 crime statistics show an overall 7% decrease in Part 1 violent and property crimes compared to 2022 and a 9% overall decrease since 2021.
The 2023 crime statistics show LBPD observed a 26% decline in auto theft, effectively reducing the number from 47 incidents in 2022 to 35 in 2023. Additionally, there was a commendable 6% decrease in larceny cases. In 2023, there were four more reported robberies than the previous year. Weapons were involved in only two of the robberies, demonstrating that the use of weapons in these incidents is relatively uncommon.
"This year's crime statistics demonstrate the outstanding efforts of our police department and the strong support of our community in maintaining Laguna Beach as a safe and welcoming place," stated Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf. "The significant reductions in overall crime rates are a testament to our ongoing commitment to public safety. Under the steadfast leadership of Police Chief Jeff Calvert, we will continue working together to uphold and enhance the safety and well-being of our City."
The Laguna Beach Police Department remains dedicated to providing exemplary service, maintaining the highest standards, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all Laguna Beach residents and visitors.
New Video Podcast: Stu New's Fair Game with Tom Johnson & Mayor Sue Kempf
In this week's Fair Game podcast with Tom Johnson, Mayor Sue Kempf talks about the overall decrease in Part 1 crime in Laguna Beach and praises the hard work from the City's Police Department. Mayor Kempf also talks about a number of upcoming Earth Day activities happening through the weekend.
City Council Backs SCE's Undergrounding Plan to Reduce Wildfire Risks in Laguna Beach
At a California Public Utilities Commission hearing in Long Beach last week, Laguna Beach City Councilmember Bob Whalen voiced strong support for Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Targeted Undergrounding Program (TUG) on behalf of the Laguna Beach City Council, emphasizing the program's potential to reduce wildfire risks and enhance public safety in the area.
SCE’s TUG program is an initiative focused on reducing wildfire risks and enhancing safety by undergrounding electric distribution lines in high-risk areas. SCE is seeking funding for the program through its General Rate Case, which requires approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.
At the CPUC hearing, Whalen highlighted the importance of the plan as it relates to undergrounding utilities along Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133). This initiative could provide critical protection for the city, given that more than 85% of Laguna Beach lies within a CalFire “Very High Fire Hazard” Severity Zone. The undergrounding project aims to mitigate fire risks and protect a vital evacuation route for residents and over 6 million annual visitors to the city.
The City of Laguna Beach has already invested in the project, paying $810,000 to SCE for engineering design and hiring a consultant for the necessary environmental documentation. Additionally, the city is conducting public outreach and pursuing grants for the undergrounding of electrical transmission lines not covered under the TUG program.
SCE has already made strides in fire safety with covered conductors and other above-ground improvements. The expansion of the TUG program aims to further protect communities like Laguna Beach from wildfire threats. The General Rate Case is expected to be voted on by the CPUC in the first quarter of 2025 and it will be known at that time whether the TUG program has been funded.
LCR Community Workshop is May 7
Mayor Pro Tem Rounaghi & Councilmember Whalen Tour Coastal Treatment Plant
On Wednesday April 17, Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi and Councilmember Bob Whalen, along with Assistant City Manager Gavin Curran and Director of Public Works & Utilities Mark McAvoy, toured the Coastal Treatment Plant.
The tour was led by SOCWA staff including Jim Burror, Director of Operations / Acting General Manager; and James Jones, Chief Plant Operator and included a briefing on the history of the plant, current operations, ongoing maintenance, near term capital projects to maintain and/or improve operations, future capital needs, opportunities for increased recycling or reuse of treated wastewater within the region, and a robust Q&A discussion.
The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, April 23 at 5:00 P.M.
April 23: Joint Meeting with the Arts Commission from 3:30 to 4:30 P.M.
The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.
Earth Day: Beach Clean-Up at Crescent Bay 🌎
In celebration of Earth Day, the Laguna Ocean Foundation is partnering with The Ritual Refill and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce for a beach clean-up at Crescent Bay on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
To participate, please bring the signed beach clean-up waiver, a pair of reusable gloves, and a trash picker-upper if you have them.
Top of the World Elementary Students Take a Field Trip to City Hall & Public Safety Departments ✨
LBPD Awarded Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety
The Laguna Beach Police Department will roll out a traffic plan to deter dangerous and illegal driving behaviors that increase the risk of crashes in the community.
“Driving under the influence, excessive speed and other dangerous driving behaviors cause an elevated risk for our community and other motorists on the road,” Sergeant Randy Bitonti said. “This funding provides the Laguna Beach Police Department with the ability to increase resources towards traffic enforcement and education with the ultimate goal of reducing injury and fatal traffic accidents on our roadways.
The grant will pay for the following:
- DUI checkpoints and patrols specifically focused on impaired drivers.
- Enforcement operations focused on distracted drivers.
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operations.
- Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes.
- Community education presentations on traffic safety issues.
Happy "Hudson" Eager to Find a Forever Home!
Meet Hudson! Hudson is a Keeshond is a 8-month old neutered male Keeshond Husky mix. He is incredibly smart, easy to train, and gets along with other dogs! Don't miss out on the opportunity to bring this lovable pup into your life.
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
Construction Work On SR-1, Coast Hwy in Laguna Beach Pavement Reconstruction
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is scheduled to conduct pavement repairs on the following locations and dates:
Construction will take place Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. One lane of Coast Highway will be closed to conduct the work. Traffic and noise impacts can be expected. This work is part of the ongoing Coast Highway ADA Sidewalk Improvement Project. Please note that the work schedule is subject to change due to weather, traffic incidents, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues.
Electronic changeable messages signs will notify drivers of the closures. The work schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information and updates, contact the District 12 Public Information Office via email at D12PIO@dot.ca.gov.
Apply Now for City Council Appointed Committees
The City Council is accepting applications for the following Committees: Emergency & Disaster Preparedness Committee, Housing & Human Services Committee, Citizens’ Audit Review & Investment Advisory Committee, and Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Interviews and appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., by the City Council. All applicants may be interviewed. Applicants may be contacted by City Council members prior to the interviews and appointments, so please be prepared to make a brief statement about your desire to serve.
Laguna Beach residents who are interested in serving on one of these Committees should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s office or online from the City’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net, and file by Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at (949) 497-0705.
Join Us for a FREE Yoga Workshop on April 27
Join us for a FREE yoga workshop at the front lawn of City Hall on Saturday, April 27 from 2:00 to 2:15 p.m. Yoga instructor, Jehri St. James will demonstrate “downward dog” and other beginning yoga postures.
Jerhi has taught yoga through Laguna Beach Parks and Recreation Department for forty years. She offers simple introductory postures for beginners and people who prefer slow, conscious yoga. Breathing, stretching, balancing and inverted postures are followed by total relaxation.
Enjoy Your Weekend Ahead! 🌴
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.