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# City officials on fence over pier access
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/city-officials-on-fence-over-pier-access/
- Published: 2006-02-15T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:16:11.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Government & Politics, Pier, #archive-import

*New law allows for private talks on security measures*

CITY HALL — Elected leaders last month discussed behind closed doors whether or not to block public access underneath the Santa Monica Pier as a way to enhance security in a post Sept. 11 world.

While no action was taken, consideration was given to placing security fencing around the end of the pier that would prohibit the public from walking or jogging underneath near the water’s edge.

The idea was presented to the City Council by Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. during a closed-session meeting Jan. 24\. The potential security measure also was publicly discussed in a meeting with the Pier Restoration Corp. on Jan. 11.

“There was some concern that evil doers will do something under the pier,” Mayor Bob Holbrook said. “We want to send the message, ‘Don’t mess with us.’”

Currently, there are no plans to move forward with the proposal, officials said.

The area underneath the pier has become a favorite destination for joggers, photographers and tourists. It not only provides a respite from beach crowds, but also is an easy way to get from one side of the pier to the other without having to leave the beach.

Avid beach goer and former City Councilman Mike Feinstein said the area is used by many people — those looking for shade, runners who jog along the water’s edge and students who like to make out in a secluded area. If the section was closed off, runners would be forced to go around the pier and fight crowds on the boardwalk, he added.

“If they ever do decide on it, it needs to be out in the open, number one. Number two, I know it’s the police’s role to bring up security measures, but the incremental benefits do not offer a good balance for public access to the tens of thousands of people who pass through there every year,” Feinstein said.

City officials said they are not sure if they want to block access to the popular spot, even though security concerns have been raised. To move forward with the proposal for fencing, some council members said they would have to see substantial benefits, along with proof that the fencing would not cause any damage to the pier’s structure.

“Under the pier at summer solstice is a wonderland of dappled sunlight streaming through the cracks of the pier deck above,” Councilman Kevin McKeown said. “If you’ve walked under the pier at winter sunset, as I’ve done recently, you’ve seen crimson rays cutting through the mist rising off breaking waves. I’m hopeful we can find a security measure that doesn’t deny public access to such a special place, nor block runners who want to enjoy a surf jog.”

City Councilman Ken Genser said he was informed that extending a fence into the surf could damage the pier if the fence was knocked around by rough seas.

“There was discussion (in a PRC meeting) that the fence could be moved back some distance onto the shore to a point where it might be on dry land at low tide,” Genser said. “I think if we are going to do that, the security benefits would be severely diminished, so why do it at all?”

The fencing idea was discussed by the City Council in closed session under a relatively new provision of the law governing public meetings that allows public officials to discuss matters dealing with public safety or terrorism. The intent is to not provide any terrorists or others looking to harm the public with sensitive information about security measures taken by police, said City Attorney Marsha Moutrie.

If the City Council ultimately decides to install a fence, Moutrie said it will have to bring the matter before the public and vote to enter into a construction contract — that is, unless the money has already been budgeted for that item.

“All of our major expenditures are subject to public approval,” she said.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/021506-01_01.jpg)

A group of mothers stroll with their children under the pier along the water’s edge. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 15, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021506.pdf?ref=smdp.com)