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# First responders have hands full
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/first-responders-have-hands-full-editor/
- Published: 2008-07-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:15:42.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Kent Cullom Santa Monica*

In response to Mr. Carlos Pineiro\[’s\] letter (“Where are the cops?” page 4, July 21), Carlos needs to read the Santa Monica Municipal Code …. There are thousands of codes that could be enforced if we had enough police officers, but is that what you really want? I don’t drink, smoke, have any great love for the homeless or for the bicyclist who ignore the codes, but short of having a police state, there is no way to enforce all of these codes. The police have to set priorities and emergencies take first, then responding to calls from residents with other complaints and/or problems come next. Then between training, appearing in court and doing paperwork they my find some time to look for petty violators. I haven’t seen police do a lot of things but it doesn’t mean they aren’t doing them. I am thankful that we have the great overworked police and fire departments that we do.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 22, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072208.pdf?ref=smdp.com)