Editor:
I am a longtime Santa Monica resident. Friday evening (September 11, 2020) a neighbor and I were walking on the boardwalk at 5:30 p.m. from Ocean Park (where there is a blinking sign that says you have to wear a mask in Santa Monica or receive a $100 fine). We walked from there to Shutters hotel along the boardwalk and noticed that at least 80% of the people walking and riding bikes and skateboards around us were not wearing masks.
We also noted there were no code enforcement officers issuing tickets to all of these people.
One has to wonder why the city would pass a law that it cannot or is not enforcing. I understand there are budget restraints and there cannot be enforcement officers everywhere, but the beachside boardwalk on a Friday evening would seem like a high priority place to station officers.
The number of tickets that could have been written in the time we were on the boardwalk could easily have paid the salary of additional officers.
Please note I have included the emails of some of my neighbors who are as concerned as I am about the safety of Santa Monica residents.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue. I would appreciate a response that indicates what Council is doing to improve compliance of this important law at this time.
Darlene Haber
Santa Monica