ENOUGH IS ENOUGH BY JENNA LINNEKENS
The citizens of this community, the readers of this column have said over and over again that they want — they need to see measurable change with regard to the homeless issue, public safety and education. Each term, we vote for the people who promise to make these changes, who assure us they will respect and acknowledge the wishes of the residents, and yet, as of this writing, I can see no real measurable change. The time for empty promises is over. I believe that Santa Monica as a community is at tipping point. We can’t ignore this. We must act swiftly before the scale tips back and the status quo is reinstated. Without sounding dramatic, but still relaying my deep concern, we as a community, we must seize the day. We must clean up the city now, or we may miss our opportunity. The upcoming election can not be based on political allegiances or personal agendas. It must be based on balance, common sense and unity of our community.
Unity can be formed and supported in a myriad of ways. It must start with the community as a whole, and then trickle down into our daily lives and span all groups, organizations and commissions. Unity is especially critical between the people of a community and its police and fire departments. I believe that there are deep-seeded issues between our community and the above referenced public servants. Perhaps it is because there has been a breakdown in communication, or simply none at all. I know many residents feel left behind, unprotected and alone. I believe what is missing is the simple daily interaction — not calls on official business — between residents and the police and fire departments. In New York City, police “walk a beat.” They know their niche of the community, they know the names of the residents and they make the daily effort to say a simple “hello.” In turn the community feels a closeness and loyalty to its police, thus creating a sense of unity to overcome crime and weed out the “bad seeds.” Don’t you think that sounds intriguing? It may take a bit more time during the course of a day and will certainly require more police presence on the streets — not just driving by in their cars but truly pounding the pavement and really interacting with the people.
I feel it is unacceptable to have only a handful of homeless police officers that only work Monday through Friday. I feel it is unacceptable that there are not groupings of officers visible at all times on every block of the Promenade. I feel it is unacceptable that the Pico neighborhood feels as if they have little protection, and that no one is available to act as an advocate for peace in that part of the city.
It does not have to be this way. With a new police chief on the way, three City Council seats available this fall and a serious new city manager in place, we can revamp our police force so they become more a part of the community like other major cities do. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. Let’s simply look at what has worked elsewhere and take the best parts and apply them in Santa Monica. Wouldn’t it be nice to walk down a street in Santa Monica, any street in any neighborhood from Montana to Pico and know your neighborhood police officers?
Yes, we must hire more police officers and it will cost more money but if we have a concrete plan behind the allocations of funds, it might just be the best money we have ever spent. Can you really put a price tag on the safety of the residents of our very special community? No, of course not. The most basic of human needs is to feel safe and to feel connected. Let us not lose the human element of our community.
I thank you for embracing my words over these last six weeks. Please keep your ears and eyes open for me as I intend to now take my own advice and take action to make Santa Monica a more sensible and balanced community. (Jenna Linnekens)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 27, 2006. Read the original PDF.