Highlights of the September 12th PPCC Meeting:

PPCC hosted an informative presentation on wildfire safety and prevention by Dante Cornejo, EMT / Wildfire Specialist with MySafe:LA, and Gabriel Albarian, a volunteer with Firewise USA -- a program of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  

Dante explained that MySafe:LA is a non-profit partner of LAFD and the LA Co. Fire Dept. He presented a Power Point on the important "Ready, Set, Go" program developed by County Fire, emphasizing key details of each element of the program, including these 3 critical steps: 1) make a plan; 2) harden your home; and 3) defend your property.  He also advised that MySafe:LA does free home inspections for fire danger, and he encouraged residents to contact him to arrange for an inspection:  Dante Cornejo.

Gabriel provided additional details about the "Firewise USA" program that may result in potential fire insurance savings for communities that are designated under the program. See Firewise Insurance Notice. In order to be so-designated, a community must consist of anywhere between 8 and 2,500 homes; must undergo an on-site assessment by a fire official to determine resiliency conditions; and must create a 3-year plan on how to increase resiliency.  

Homeowner associations and other residents' groups in the Palisades are strongly encouraged to contact Gabriel for more information on how to get started with designating their community or neighborhood under the Firewise USA program.  To reach Gabriel, contact Dante (email address linked above).

The Election Committee officially reported on the results of the PPCC Area & At-large Representatives Election. PPCC VP and Committee member Quentin Fleming explained that 610 ballots were cast in all races; that the Committee members met to confirm the accuracy of the results; that the ballots were counted twice in the contested races; and that Ken Kohn of Miracle Data served as tech advisor. See also Brief Report (full results report to be posted on PPCC). He again congratulated the winners and thanked the outgoing Area reps (serving until 9/30/24):  Murray Levy (Area 1); Julie Silliman (Area 7), Cindy Simon (Area 6) and Haldis Toppel (Area 3).  The newly elected reps will take their seats at the PPCC meetings in October and will serve two year terms (10/1/26 through 9/30/26). Again, they are:

Area One:       JoAnna Rodriguez
Area Two:       Steve Cron
Area Three:    Julia Nilsen
Area Four:      Karen Ridgley
Area Five:       Kimberly Bloom
Area Six:         Lorie Cudzil
Area Seven:   Sharon Kilbride
Area Eight:      Andrew Wolfberg
At-large:          Chris Spitz

Regarding the Alternates Application Process:  The Chair announced the members of the 3 Chairs Committee, which will review and nominate candidates for Alternate Area & At-large positions:  Committee Chair Maryam Zar, David Card and Randy Young (all former PPCC Chairs/Presidents).  Past Chair David Card provided information about the process, and invited interested and eligible persons to apply -- reminding all that current Alternates must also apply should they wish to continue serving as an Alternate rep!

See the Alternates Application Notice for details on how to apply to become an Alternate Area or At-large rep on the PPCC board.  Deadline to submit applications:  5pm on October 6, 2024. 
 

Don't forget to send in your Alternates application soon!
Submit applications to info@pacpalicc.org.

Responding to substantial questions and concerns expressed by residents and Board members -- about the absence of beach detail officers, the increasing numbers of homeless encampments, the perceived lack of enforcement and public safety risks -- Capt. III Richard Gabaldon (commanding officer, LAPD WLA Division) and Palisades SLO Brian Espin attended and provided information about the status of the beach detail, LAMC  41.18 / anti-camping enforcement, and crime in the Palisades. 

Capt. Gabaldon stated that he wished to dispel rumors about the beach detail, assuring us that the detail is still in place -- although there have been temporary absences (some officers have been away on leave or for required training; others were assigned to staff other events in the City; two officers were promoted; their replacements are in process and are expected soon). 

Capt. Gabaldon emphasized that LAPD's goal is always to have the beach detail in place with at least one unit of 4 officers, 7 days a week.  He acknowledged that there has been an influx of unhoused individuals and transients migrating to the Palisades from other cities and areas (where stricter anti-camping enforcement may have occurred). He indicated that LAPD does enforce LAMC 41.18 (the Los Angeles ordinance that bans camping on sidewalks within 500 ft. of sensitive uses, i.e., parks, libraries, schools and day care centers).  Recognizing the need for protection, Capt. Gabaldon has asked for the Palisades units to be the last in line when officers are called on to staff other City events.  He is also coordinating a quarterly Task Force in the near future to inspect and clean up encampments in our bluff and hillside areas.

SLO Espin additionally provided a crime report, explaining that while Part 1 crime is slightly down, burglaries have increased throughout the Westside.  See his most recent Palisades Crime Map here. He reported that LAMC 41.18 was recently enforced in connection with a transient / homeless individual who had been camping in the public right of way in various locations near Palisades schools and parks (most recently near Sunset & PCH); it was found that the individual had an outstanding warrant; he was arrested and taken into custody.

SLO Espin also noted that security cameras do help in deterring crime.  Extensive Q&A ensued about the use of cameras such as the FLOCK and Vigilant types. Courtney Macker, Pacific Palisades Residents Association (PPRA) rep, explained that PPRA is continuing to support a FLOCK security camera program in Palisades neighborhoods. Contact Courtney for more information about the cameras and how to participate in the program.

The Board passed two motions related to homelessness, both originally recommended by the WRAC Homelessness Committee; members of that committee representing PPCC include Chris Spitz (Vice-Chair & 1st Alternate), Cindi Young (Primary Rep) and Maryam Zar (2nd Alternate):

1) Support for CW Traci Park's recent letter to the Governor and Caltrans, requesting that encampments on state land, including RVs along PCH in the Palisades, be addressed pursuant to the Governor's recent Executive Directive, and requesting a prompt response and effective action by state authorities.

2) Request for the City to establish a clear, accurate and easily accessible "Homeless Reporting Dashboard" on the City website, mirroring the clear Culver City Dashboard.

• The Councilwoman's recent motions regarding RV dwelling and towing operations have both passed in City Council.
• After more than a decade of effort, a dog park is coming to Pacific Palisades!  $1.5 million in County funding has been secured.  The dog park will be located in the park area near the playground on Temescal Canyon Road.  The City Recreation & Parks Dept. requires two community meetings before construction can begin; CD 11 is attempting to arrange for the 1st meeting ASAP.  Leslie Campbell -- spearheading the effort along with other Dog Park Task Force volunteers -- thanked PPCC and CD 11 for their support.  The Board in turn expressed appreciation for Leslie's and the Task Force's tenacity and sustained effort to make this much-needed resource a reality!
• Michael is working on bringing the CD 11 Beautification Team to the Palisades again, this time to clean up sidewalk areas along Los Leones.
• It has been a priority for CW Park to secure crossing guards for all our elementary schools.  The good news is that a guard was added to the crossing at Marquez Ave. and Edgar St.  Unfortunately, despite parents' pleas and CD 11's request, a crossing guard will NOT be added to support Canyon Charter School.