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# Taking you back
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/taking-you-back-editor/
- Published: 2008-09-18T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T21:02:58.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Jan Ludwinski Santa Monica*

A brief history for the anti-RIFT folks. Once upon a time there was a city whose public places were being overrun by vagrants and criminals, destroying the quality of life, especially for mothers with small children and the elderly. A small number of brave, concerned citizens banded together to push to take back the city. Over 12,000 citizens responded to the group’s call to arms. This unprecedented pressure forced the languid City Council to pass ordinances that had meaningful impacts on the problem.

That city was Santa Monica, and that group was the real Save Our City, of which I was a proud charter member and whose name you have shamefully co-opted. Your group is but a cheap imitation of that group, stooping to Republican-style fear-mongering which grossly misrepresents the facts. RIFT will pass, despite your underhanded tactics.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 18, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091808.pdf?ref=smdp.com)