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# Letter: Santa Monica Should Not Be Compared to Newport Beach
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/020703-story/
- Published: 2003-02-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:30:47.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pico, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Joe Weichman*

A recent opinion piece argued that Santa Monica should not turn into Newport Beach. Let’s compare, shall we: Newport Beach boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Seldom do they deal with gangs, graffiti, or homeless. There are a plethora of parks and open spaces throughout the city.

Santa Monica has an increasing crime rate, an established presence of gangs and graffiti (mostly concentrated in the Pico neighborhood), and an ever-growing transient population... not to mention a serious lack of parkland and open space.

Amidst all the city’s problems, Santa Monica remains a desirable place to live. Will this trend continue in years to come? Only time will tell.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 7, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/020703.pdf?ref=smdp.com)