Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles written by alyssa erdley


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  • Santa Methica is Not Safe Reads New Sign on the Santa Monica Promenade

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Aug 23, 2023
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    August 10, 2023 - A new sign warning tourists and shoppers on the Santa Monica Promenade was erected today by the Santa Monica Coalition, a group of property and business owners dedicated to restoring law and order to the troubled city. "Santa Methica is Not Safe," reads the sign, pointing out the dominant drug of choice among the near-thousand homeless individuals who inhabit the public and some private spaces in the city. "Our city manager Supports the Needle & Meth Pipe Distribution...

  • Celebrity Gets Harshest Possible Sentencing for Shooting Celebrity in Gascon's "Justice Reform" World: Ten Year Prison Sentence for Tory Lanez Shooting Megan Thee Stallion

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Aug 20, 2023

    August 9, 2023 - "Justice Reform" Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced yesterday a ten-year prison sentence for rap artist Tory Lanez for shooting another musical artist, Megan Thee Stallion in a 2020 incident in the Hollywood Hills. Tory Lanez's legal name is Daystar Peterson and Megan Thee Stallion's legal name is Megan Pete. Gascon has advanced a soft-on-criminal approach since taking office in December 2020. His theory is that long prison sentences do not stop...

  • Just Keep Taking Those Drugs, Says Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

    Alyssa Erdley, News with Attitude|Aug 17, 2023

    August 9, 2023 - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health appears to have given up on getting addicted residents off of drugs. In a recent press release warning of the potential presence of the veterinary anesthetic xylazine in illicit drugs, the Department included one sentence in a 700-word press release that advised people not to use illicit drugs. The next six paragraphs described ways to "minimize the risk." Nowhere in the press release did the Department list phone numbers, websi...

  • Suspect in Beach Bathroom Murder, Has Long History of Arrests

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff Writer|Aug 7, 2023
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    The man accused of stabbing to death another man outside a Santa Monica beach public restroom has a long history of arrests beginning about two years ago. Juan Evarastico Bahena, 48, identified by the Santa Monica Police Department as homeless, is accused of stabbing and killing a 27-year-old male in the breezeway next to the men's restrooms shortly after 2 pm on Monday in the 2000 block of the beach. According the the SMPD presse release, "Witnesses told officers that they heard an argument...

  • Man Beaten in Palisades Park by Scooter Riders

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jul 31, 2023

    July 25, 2023 - The Santa Monica Police Department has confirmed the details of an email circulating regarding a 66-year-old man getting beaten by a group of six people on scooters in Palisades Park. According to Myesha Morrison of the SMPD, officers were called to the 800 block of Palisades Park on Friday night around 9:20 pm. A large group of people on scooters drove by a 66-year-old man who was approaching his vehicle. When one of the scooters rode over the man's foot, he reportedly pushed...

  • LA County is also Handing out Crack Pipes to Drug Addicts

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jun 14, 2023
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    June 2, 2023 - According to Fox News, a report shows that Los Angeles County is handing out free pipes that can be used to smoke crack cocaine, methamphetamine and other opioids. Included in the kit with the pipes are also clean needs and "supplies" to avoid or reverse a drug overdose. Between 2020 and 2021, there were 1,500 homeless individuals who died of drug overdoses. More than half of them tested positive for having fentanyl in their systems. In recent years, the county has grown their...

  • County-Contracted Workers Offer Synthetic Meth to Whoever is in the Public Park, Do Not Offer Drug Counseling or Housing Services as Required by Los Angeles County Health Department Policy

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jun 14, 2023
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    June 6, 2023 - On Friday afternoon, three members of the Santa Monica Coalition and one journalist observed Los Angeles County-contracted workers hand out hypodermic needles, synthetic meth, and other alleged health aids to whoever was in the public park, including offering the kits to non-drug users who happened to be sitting in Reed Park. The Santa Monica Coalition, a group of local business owners and leaders who are concerned about humanitarian, public safety, and crime issues, decided on...

  • Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director, Defends Needle Distribution Program While Unable to Show it is Successful or Safe (Not to Mention "Healthy")

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jun 5, 2023
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    May 28, 2023 - At a meeting with member of the Santa Monica Coalition, Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer defended her program to distribute needles to drug addicts in public places in Santa Monica even as she was unable to answer questions about the program's effectiveness or safety. The Santa Monica Coalition is a group of local business owners and leaders who are concerned about the humanitarian, public safety, and crime issues present in the city. Armed with a list of...

  • Why Doesn't the City of Santa Monica Provide Immediate Shelter for the 800+ Homeless on the Streets?

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|May 10, 2023

    May 2, 2023 - The Santa Monica Coalition released a YouTube video this week outlining four city-owned properties that could be used for what they term "short and near term safe sleeping sites" for the over 800 homeless last counted on the city's streets. An email sent out with the video claims that there are no overnight shelters in Santa Monica or within an hour's drive that will accept the homeless for refuge between 5 pm and 8 am. "So they remain on our streets, in our parks and in our...

  • Barack Obama: Santa Monica Auctions the Most Famous Political Artwork Painted This Century, On May 7th, 2023.

    David Ganezer and Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|May 8, 2023

    April 26, 2023 - Santa Monica Auctions, a longtime art business in Santa Monica, will be holding a two-day auction which will include the original canvas artwork for the iconic “Hope” poster of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign for president. Two later versions of the image were created by Los Angeles artist Shepard Fairey, but that to be auctioned is the sole original work of art for the campaign poster. Of the later versions, one is in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait...

  • Santa Monica City Councilmember Phil Brock Will Hear Resident Complaints of Hazards of Separated Bike Lane on 17th Street

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Apr 28, 2023

    April 26, 2023 - A petition demanding change to the altered nature of 17th Street between Pico and Wilshire has garnered 637 signatures in a few day and received the attention of Santa Monica City Councilmember Phil Brock. Brock the city's Director of Transportation have agreed to meet with those concerned about 17th Street on Thursday, April 27, at 5:30 pm at the corner of 17th Street and Broadway. The petition is in reaction to the city installing concrete islands to separate bicyclists from...

  • SMPD Allows Men to Threaten Rape Without Consequences? Victim Reportedly Told Police Won't Act Unless Violence Occurs

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Apr 26, 2023

    April 21, 2023 - Officers of the Santa Monica Police Department reportedly declined to help a young woman who was threatened by an apparently homeless man while she was taking a tennis lesson at Reed Park. In an email sent by the girl's mother to the Santa Monica Tennis Collective, she described a man who approached the court fence and screamed obscenities at the girl. He reportedly told her to "get the fuck out of [his] park" and added, "don't think I won't rape you." He then moved to the door...

  • Santa Monica's Ban on Gas Piping to Prohibit Gas Appliances Was Just Ruled Illegal by U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Apr 24, 2023

    April 19, 2023 - A Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeal in San Francisco overturned the city of Berkeley's ban on installing gas piping in new construction. Santa Monica and roughly 70 other California cities have instituted similar bans. The federal court's ruling applies to the entire area within its jurisdiction, which includes all of California and other Western states. Santa Monica will have to abide by the ruling unless it is appealed to a higher court. Last fall, Santa Monica...

  • Santa Monica Business and Property Owners Taking Steps to Secede from Downtown Santa Monica Inc

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Apr 17, 2023
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    April 12, 2023 - Citing out-of-touch leadership and mismanagement of funds, 54 business and property owners on the Third Street Promenade have hired an attorney to create their own business district, apart from Downtown Santa Monica Inc, with no city government participation. Currently, DTSM operates the downtown area, including the Third Street Promenade and from Second Street to Lincoln Boulevard and the 10 Freeway. They are to maintain the area, keep it secure, and institute programs and...

  • Santa Monica City Council Should Increase Penalties for Catalytic Converter Theft

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Mar 31, 2023

    March 24, 2023 - The City Council of Los Angeles is one vote away from passing a law to create penalties of 6 months in jail or $1,000 in fines for each catalytic converter theft. A person would be assumed to be in possession of the stolen auto part if they can not prove ownership. The proposal, authored by Councilmember John Lee passed 8-4 but must return to the council for a final reading on April 11 before it can be made into law. Current law requires the government to prove the converter...

  • Conditions at the Santa Monica Main Library are Worse than Ever After Murder

    Alyssa Erdley, Opinion|Mar 15, 2023

    March 9, 2023 - In an email to the Library Board, Santa Monica business and property owner John Alle included dozens of sobering photos and video clips illustrating the unsafe and unclean conditions at the main library and downtown generally. "GOOD GUARD SECURITY is the new security guard firm the City hired to replace ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY. Good Guard Security is doing a lousy job, worse than Allied Universal Security," Alle wrote. Alle had attended the Library Board's meeting the previous...

  • Santa Monica Housing Commission Subcommittee Urgently Recommends City Shift Priorities to Affordable Homeownership Rather than Renting

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Feb 8, 2023

    February 2, 2023 - In a 32-page report dated January 26, 2023, the Affordable Homeownership Subcommittee of Santa Monica's Housing Commission outlined the compelling reasons the city should make urgent changes to prioritize home ownership rather than affordable renting. Affordable homeownership, rarely available in Santa Monica, reads the report, "uplifts those on lower incomes, enhances stability and multigenerational wealth and is a weapon against discrimination." The report points out that a...

  • Suspect in Downtown Santa Monica Armed Robbery Arrested As He Arrives in Court for Unrelated Case

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Feb 8, 2023

    February 2, 2023 - A suspect in an armed robbery that occurred in the 200 block of Broadway in downtown Santa Monica was arrested when he showed up in court for an unrelated case. The armed robbery occurred at 4:35 pm on September 25, 2022. The victim told responding Santa Monica Police officers that two males had pointed handguns at him and robbed him of his Rolex watch. The suspects were seen fleeing in an awaiting vehicle. After reviewing the evidence, SMPD's Robbery Homicide Division...

  • For the Third Street Promenade and Downtown Santa Monica to Succeed, DTSM Inc Needs to Be Disbanded Immediately, Say Some Business Owners

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jan 30, 2023

    January 25, 2023 - Citing a budget that is heavy on salaries and failed programs, incompetent leadership, and the economically and physically depressed state of the Third Street Promenade, property owner and business leader John Alle is calling for the disbanding of Downtown Santa Monica Inc (DTSM). DTSM is a "private" non-profit organization that is supposed to work with the City government to manage services and operations in downtown Santa Monica. The 13-member board of DTSM is made up of 6...

  • Amazon to End Popular Amazon Smile Charitable Donation Program in February

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Jan 25, 2023

    January 19, 2023 - Amazon announced in an email yesterday that they are ceasing the Amazon Smile program that donates 0.5% of the purchase price of qualifying products to a charity of the consumer's choice. The program required customers to choose a qualifying charity and then sign in with their regular Amazon password on the Smile.Amazon.com site. The shopping experience was identical to Amazon.com. Amazon will officially end the program on February 20, 2023. Over a million 501(c)...

  • Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel to Lay off 320 Workers as it "Temporarily" Suspends Operations

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff Writer|Jan 20, 2023

    January 19, 2023 - The luxury beachfront hotel, Loews Santa Monica Beach, has announced it is "temporarily" suspending operations effective March 4. The 320 workers at the hotel will be laid off. The hotel, which opened in 1989, replaced an earlier low-profile motel, sits cater-corner to Tongva Park and two blocks from the Santa Monica Pier. Both of these locations have been plagued by crime and violent incidents over the past few years. For example, in October, 2018, a homeless man was...

  • Bivalent Booster Against Covid is A Major Failure According to LA County Health Department Data

    Alyssa Erdley, News with Attitude|Dec 29, 2022

    December 21, 2022 - In September, health officials across the United States began administering and encouraging a "bivalent booster" shot for Covid-19 that was supposed to protect against both the older variants of the virus and also against the newer BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron that had become prevalent over the summer. Anyone over age 12 who had not had a booster shot within two months was eligible to receive this new injection. Los Angeles County Health Department data showed that...

  • If the Rain and the Cold Don't Stop You From Going in the Ocean, Maybe the Bacteria Will

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Dec 16, 2022

    December 12, 2022 - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a rain advisory regarding all Los Angeles County Beaches due to the recent rainfall. Rain allows bacteria, chemicals, debris, and trash to discharge from area storm drains directly into the ocean without any filter. The danger is greatest near storm drain discharges, such as those at the ends of Chautauqua and Pico Boulevard. LADPH's press release warns that "individuals who enter the water in these areas could...

  • Santa Monica to Swear in (Apparently) Newly Elected Officials Before the County Officially Finishes the Vote

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Dec 5, 2022

    November 30, 2022 - The City of Santa Monica plans to swear in new members of the city council and other elected office before the county has finalized the election results on December 8. "Elected officers will be sworn in at the December 6 City Council meeting," reads the city's website. But the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder has until December 8 to complete official results and send them to the Secretary of State - who then has until December 16 to certify the election. The city...

  • Santa Monica Measure GS to Increase the Property Transfer Tax by 833% is Still Squeaking Ahead in the Polls

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Nov 24, 2022

    November 17, 2022 - Santa Monica Measure GS, which would increase property transfer taxes on property over $8 million is squeaking ahead in the polls with 52.46% of the vote - only 1,431 votes - as of November 16. But the effects of the new tax could be large. Measure GS raises the tax from $6 per $1,000 of value to $56 per $1,000 of value. This is an increase of 833%. Critics of the measure say the burden of the new tax will fall largely on homeowners since there is no inflation mechanism in...

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