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# Visitors, residents deserve better
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/visitors-residents-deserve-better-editor/
- Published: 2004-08-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:49:11.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pier, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Klaus Mennekes Vice president and managing director Hotel Casa Del Mar and Shutters on the Beach*

A couple of days ago another disturbing incident, a fight and stabbing involving two homeless individuals happened at 9:30 p.m. on the Boardwalk not far from the Pier.

This incident was certainly noticed and very much disturbed guests and employees in a nearby hotel, as it must have all pedestrians taking a stroll on the boardwalk at that time, not to mention the residents of the nearby neighborhood. Incidentally it happened on the same night as the Twilight pier concert.

The City Council wants to raise the TOT tax which is ultimately paid by our visitors. I support a moderate increase in this tax if these monies are allocated to address public safety in our community, rather than going to the general fund or special interests. We must put the safety of our community and its citizens first.

There is a real issue here concerning public safety, homelessness and traffic in our community, and these issues warrant special attention from the City Council. The council should move to seriously discuss the traffic, homelessness and public safety topics that are on the forefront of the majority of residents, issues that require leadership. The council must establish priorities and there are matters that need more attention than debating bike riding in the park, the merits of declawing cats or not, and opposition to a national draft.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 12, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/081204.pdf?ref=smdp.com)