By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Following months of checkpoints that have been staffed by Los Angeles Police Department and National Guard, Pacific Palisades reopened to the public, effective Saturday, June 14, at 6 a.m.
Since the Palisades fire on January 7, a portion of the Palisades has had its access restricted to residents, contractors, first responders and essential businesses. Following the reopening of a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace to the public on Friday, May 23, access to the Palisades was provided through 16 checkpoints.
“Due to citywide operational needs and demands, the LAPD has recommended a shift in the security plan in the Pacific Palisades to deploy officers to other parts of the city,” Mayor Karen Bass wrote on June 15. “On Saturday, the LAPD and contracted security guards began engaging in high-visibility patrols throughout the Pacific Palisades instead of operating fixed traffic control points.”
Bass’ office, along with Councilmember Park and LAPD officials, hosted a one-hour community meeting on Monday afternoon, June 16, to detail the changes.
“I know these changes are upsetting for some of you, and I take those concerns very seriously,” Park said on June 14. “Please know there will continue to be a very heavy presence of police and security in and around the area, and LAPD is fully committed to working closely with the community to make additional changes as needed.”
LAPD confirmed they would have “high-visibility patrols” seven days per week, 24 hours per day. The city-contracted private security companies that LAPD will be working with include ACS, Gates, Nastec, Black Knight, Allied and Apollo.
There were “no reported crimes since Saturday,” June 14, according to LAPD, with Chief Jim McDonnell saying during the meeting that the Palisades was in a “very good place” from a public safety standpoint.
“I wish we had the luxury of being able to provide some advance notice on [changes], but we had the unrest,” McDonnell said during the meeting. “That’s something I really have a hard time describing unless you were here in downtown LA—it was intense. It went on for an extended period of time.”
McDonnell said that “it’s a balancing act, always,” as LAPD has “very limited resources.”
“We’re down 1,400 officers from where we were a couple of years ago,” McDonnell said. “It’s a constant triage to be able to do the best job we can with the limited resources we could get to apply to any problem.”
Captain Rich Gabaldon described a “pretty successful” transition over the weekend. For patrolling purposes, the Palisades has been divided into four sectors, with two officers in each sector, as well as 16 private security officers at a time.
There is also the “traditional A1 and basic car,” to “handle calls for service and respond to emergencies.” California Highway Patrol was also still patrolling the Palisades as of the time of the meeting, but their resources will be pulled at their discretion, according to McDonnell.
LAPD also announced it will be launching a “Stop in Center” in the Palisades, which will open as soon as next week. This is a location where officers assigned to the Palisades can write reports, eat lunch and meet with community members. This will “minimize officers’ time away from the Palisades.”
The potential location being considered at the time of the meeting was 15224 Sunset Boulevard. When operational, community members will be invited to visit the center when they see a police car parked outside, indicating an officer is available—which differs from a sub-station, as those have officers available on-site at specific times.
There will be public roll calls each morning at 10 a.m., which LAPD invited community members to attend. The next few will be taking place June 19 at 15100 Pacific Coast Highway (lifeguard headquarters), June 20 at 16605 W. Sunset Boulevard (Marquez square) and 17380 W. Sunset Boulevard (Vons). Pacific Palisades Community Council later provided an extended calendar of roll call locations.
When it comes to contacting LAPD, life-threatening emergencies should be called or texted to 911. For non-emergencies, community members can call 877-275-5273 or the LAPD West Los Angeles Community Police Station: 310-444-0701. There is a community online reporting system available at lapdonline.org.
An email address, which will reach LAPD Senior Lead Officers Brian Espin and Matthew Kirk, has been set up: palisades@lapd.online. “Tips and other non-emergency information” can be sent to this address.
“I believe we’re in a good place to be able to be effective moving forward,” McDonnell said on June 16, “and anybody who comes to test it, I think we’ll see that the level of visibility is pretty dramatic.”
