Last week, the Pali Recovery Coalition hosted an important public safety meeting with LAPD leadership, CHP, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety. We learned from West LA Commanding Officer, Capt. Gabaldon that LAPD has put a plan in place to increase their presence in Pacific Palisades in anticipation of the National Guard winding down its operations. As many know, the National Guard has been manning checkpoints at points of ingress to Pacific Palisades. 

Anticipating that the Governor calls the National Guard away from this deployment at the end of May, LAPD will take over the lion’s share of Pacific Palisades security, with the support of county and state law enforcement partners. We were told they have prepared to deploy five additional cars in Pacific Palisades with ten officers, in shifts that would cover the entire Pacific Palisades, which they’ve divided into five areas. Our basic car and beach detail (which has been helping in the village and neighborhood streets) would remain in place. In addition, 50 license plate reader cameras (which do more than read license plates) are already in use and at least 5 solar powered trailer cameras would soon come online. Additionally, CHP said they deploy 10 cars in two shifts, and while it may seem their focus is on traffic violations, they also aid in law enforcement. 

Please see the readout from the call attached, as well as a report of the incredible work of the Army Corps of Engineers, who reported their remarkable progress at our meeting. Many thanks to Col Palazzini for joining our call and sharing what he knew about the logistics challenges we are likely to face once the debris clearance is done, and rebuilding begins in earnest.

A handful of Palisadians met with City Attorney, Hydee Feldstein-Soto, following the public safety, logistics and security briefing last week and asked her several questions related to Palisades security. The City Attorney made clear that the Trespass Arrest Authorizations Forms would be needed for police to be able to enforce trespass laws on private property (some have asked if those are necessary in a disaster area). Those forms can be downloaded, signed and emailed to the Council Office, or dropped off at the American Legion location in Pacific Palisades or at the West LA police station. Attached is the form as well as an example of signage that can be used to give notice on your property that trespass laws will be enforced. There is also a link to an informal survey launched by the Council Office around the security concerns of the community, as we prepare to see the closure of National Guard operations in Pacific Palisades.

PRC asked the City Attorney if private security agencies can conduct checkpoints under an emergency order (currently in place). We were informed that private security agencies would likely not be able to man checkpoints, as these are located on the public right of way (roads), but the inquiry would be made. The City Attorney pledged robust enforcement of laws and a collaborative posture with the District Attorney, who handles violent crimes. PRC asked the City Attorney about permit streamlining and the reason why only “like for like” building is streamlined, versus what many of you have asked, which is, why not offer streamlined permitting to all rebuilding that is code compliant. The City Attorney noted that as early as January 8th, she and other City leaders began envisioning and implementing strategies to help the Palisades recover and rebuild swiftly. The adopted permit streamlining rules were in response to the Governor’s emergency order which “safe harbored” 10% growth. We asked that she consider the suggested extension of streamlining, particularly in light of the use of AI to assist the permitting process. She stated that permit applications continue to flow and further informed us that Palisadians may rebuild without conforming to all gas appliances – the conversion ordinance will not immediately be enforced. 

Lastly, PRC held a call with Blue Ribbon Commissioners, Senator Ben Allen, and others, including Larry Kosmont who has been instrumental in many Enhanced Infrastructure Finance Districts, to discuss the recommendation made by the Blue Ribbon Commision for an Authority to manage the Pacific Palisades Recovery, as well as state money that might be available for resilient rebuilding. The Blue Ribbon Commission’s initial recommendations can be found on their website and graphic notes from the briefing the Commissioners gave to a group of Palisades leaders is attached. 

Upcoming: next week, PRC will 

(A) meet with Malibu Mayor to discuss common concerns and goals in the rebuilding and logistics of the massive recovery that lies ahead,

(B) conduct a first meeting of the Community Advisory Group with LAPD (and perhap National Guard command) to set up open lines of communication for feedback and information sharing,

(C) meet with BOE to go over submissions of information for the concrete batch plant which is part of our Recovery Plan – a community led holistic approach to the recovery ahead, which contemplates the massive movement of people and material, while residents with homes standing return and challenges from costs, to labor, to funding, to logistics and roadway management (with thousands of homes rebuilding) intensify.

(D) meet with Palisades organizational leaders who have been asked by LA’s EMD to begin a conversation about using our best resources in collaboration to push the recovery ahead.

Please see the attachments (scroll to bottom), and stay engaged with our work — palirecovery.org. Our next meeting will be on May 27th at 9am.

Best,

Pali recovery Coalition

Maryam Zar, President

Felix Werner & Wally Marks, co-VPs

Dr. Brigitte Nicole-Grice, Secretary

Tim Schneider, Treasurer