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# A year of change will bring more in ’06
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-year-of-change-will-bring-more-in-06/
- Published: 2005-12-31T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T08:27:40.000Z
- Author: Carolyn Sackariason
- Tags: Business, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless

Mark 2005 as yet another year for Santa Monica’s history books. The past year has been full of twists and turns, with good and bad news hitting Santa Monicans regularly.

A double homicide — the result of gang violence — sent shock waves through an eastside neighborhood. The death of a Santa Monica Police officer fighting in Iraq drew mourners from throughout the country.

Two sex scandals involving adult instructors at Santa Monica High School and teenagers came to a close in 2005\. And this summer, local police announced that Santa Monica could be the target of potential terrorists, thereby justifying increased security around the downtown and pier areas at the cost of at least $2 million.

Plans to build skyscrapers in downtown Santa Monica were scrapped by a mall developer. One of the oldest businesses in Santa Monica closed up shop, while one of the largest companies in California decided to move a major portion of its operations here.

And one of the city’s most powerful influences, City Manager Susan McCarthy, retired, leaving a legacy of public assets like Virginia Avenue Park and the new library. City Hall also made an unprecedented move by hiring a “homeless czar” to answer a public outcry over the growing number of residentially-challenged individuals living on the streets of Santa Monica.

Santa Monica College hired a new president, who many hope will have better luck than other college leaders in fueling a positive relationship with City Hall over the institution’s growth in the city.

The past year’s happenings appear to be a prelude of what’s to come. With new leaders at the helm to tackle the homeless problem and top officials making strides to end violence in the community through gang summits, change is in the air for 2006.

The Santa Monica Daily Press revisits the top news stories of 2005\. Here they are in random order: ers included representatives from 15 police agencies, the U.S. Marine Corps and other Armed Forces, the District Attorney of Los Angeles, four police chiefs from around the county — as well as several city and elected officials and the majority of the Santa Monica Police force.

Crocker was involved in the effort to re-build Iraq by helping neglected parts of the country construct new hospitals, schools and government institutions. Crocker helped maintain relationships with mayors, Sikhs, mullahs and business-men.

In addition to working with for the SMPD’s special entry team, the crime impact unit and Police Activities League, Crocker served as a medic. He also worked patrol and had been a field training officer during his police career.

He is buried in Puerto Rico National Cemetery.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/123105.pdf?ref=smdp.com)