Realignment plan has dropped serious crime by 12.5% as focus evolves to economics: This official city post summarizes a variety of data, including:
Part I crime — which tracks violent offenses and burglary — declined 12.5%, falling from 4,793 incidents in 2024 to 4,194 in 2025.
The Santa Monica Police Department has reached full sworn staffing for the first time in over 20 years.
The City Attorney's Criminal Unit is now filing on approximately 88% of all legally fileable cases, up from a previous rate of 65-70%.
Building plan check performance improved to 92.5% on-time for first-round reviews, an increase of more than 40 percentage points in four months.
All library branches are now open for the first time since 2020.
Council Clarifies Its Direction for the Neighborhood Association Grant Program: The city council moved Tuesday night to ensure its direction to staff is better reflected in the workings of the Neighborhood Grant Program, specifically, requirements in the grant application that had befuddled potential applicants. More details here.
City Approves Entertainment Zone for Main St. Events Among Other “Business-Friendly Initiatives”: The city has seen a major decrease in crime with a fully staffed police department, and a downtown “glow-up” has made streets cleaner and more beautiful. Building on this foundation, the city is pushing full speed ahead toward a new economic renaissance. Fee waivers for restaurants, film production and sidewalk dining, coupled with investments in major events are just a few of the business-friendly programs approved on Tuesday by the Santa Monica City Council. Just in time for summer, you can now have a sip of rosé while strolling, shopping or enjoying outdoor music on Main Street and Montana Avenue with the newly expanded Entertainment Zone. More details here.
SaMo Library Finds Demand for Longer Hours, Safer Spaces and More Youth Services as Officials Plan Future Changes: The Santa Monica Public Library has released a comprehensive community report identifying key priorities — including expanded access, improved safety and stronger youth programming — that will guide the system’s next strategic plan. This SaMoMirror report summarizes the findings, including that "Only about 34% of survey respondents said they were satisfied with current hours."
JSX Launches Seasonal Napa Flights from Santa Monica Airport: “Flights will operate four days per week…with select weeks offering daily service. Fares start at $219 one-way based on round-trip purchase. The Santa Monica route will utilize JSX's new low-emission ATR 42-600 aircraft” More details here.
Westside Cities Advance Bus Lane Plan Ahead of 2028 Olympics: The Westside Cities Council of Governments is developing the Westside Bus Connection Project, a package of relatively low-cost upgrades along key routes including Santa Monica Boulevard, Sepulveda Boulevard, and the La Cienega Boulevard/Jefferson Boulevard corridor. The goal is to make buses faster and more reliable using tools like dedicated lanes, transit signal priority, and updated striping and signage. More details here.
Special Edition of Councilmember Dan Hall’s Newsletter: Santa Monica's Financial Report Card: He published this “Plain English” Guide to the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report that included this BLUF (Bottom Line, Up Front):
The City received a perfectly clean audit with zero compliance findings, zero misstatements, and zero disagreements with staff for the 41st consecutive year
The City's total net position grew by $30.2 million to $1.5 billion, long-term debt fell by $9.7 million, and the pension liability declined by $19.0 million
The General Fund balance declined $6.5 million to $168.1 million, driven primarily by tourism revenue losses from the Palisades fire and national policy impacts on international tourism
Even as revenues softened, actual operating expenditures came in $11.5 million under budget, reflecting disciplined financial management
Santa Monica maintained its AAA/Aaa credit ratings from Fitch and Moody's, though both agencies issued negative outlooks citing litigation exposure and projected near-term deficits (pre-Realignment Plan)
Urban coyotes bolder than rural counterparts, study finds, as Santa Monica grapples with post-fire sightings: Alarge-scale national study of coyote behavior has found that urban coyotes are more willing to take risks around novel stimuli than their rural counterparts — a finding that arrives as Santa Monica confronts a surge in coyote encounters driven by displacement from the Palisades Fire and faces scrutiny over its lack of a formal wildlife management plan. More details here.
Openings: ¡Salud! Venice: Bringing the vibrant spirit of Mexico City’s café culture to the Westside, husband-and-wife duo Richard and Celia Sanchez Lara opened this dual-concept space. By day, it’s a bright specialty coffee shop serving signature Nutty Mazapan Lattes and elevated Latin breakfasts like the Barbacoa Hash; by night, the lights dim for a high-energy transition into an intimate cocktail bar featuring tequila-forward drinks and a curated tapas menu. 417 Washington Blvd. saludvenice.com
LA Times Covers Duke's Malibu Reopening: "The popular coastal restaurant that’s celebrating 30 years in operation this year withstood the Palisades fire that tore through Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Topanga Canyon over a year ago, suffering only smoke damage. Plans to reopen were underway last February when mudslides from heavy rain sent four feet of mud into the restaurant, requiring extensive repairs, cleanup and a full renovation." More details here.
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Things to Do This Weekend
No Kings 3 Santa Monica (Saturday 11am - 1pm): As with the others, this is planned at and around Palisades Park near Ocean Ave @ Montana Ave. Expect “Signs - Fun - Music DJ - Speakers - Protest - Community” mobilize.us/nokings/event/900817
Making Herstory at City Hall: A Candid Conversation with Santa Monica's Women Mayors (Saturday 2pm): Celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel of Santa Monica’s women mayors, featuring current Mayor Caroline Torosis and former mayors Gleam Davis, Judy Abdo, Lana Negrete, and Pam O’Connor. They’ll share their personal stories, offer advice for women looking to succeed in local politics, and answer audience questions. @ Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Bergamot Comedy Festival (March 24–28): The Fest brings together up-and-coming and underrepresented comedians for shows, panels, and community programming that spotlight voices not always seen on traditional stages. Over the course of the week, attendees can expect multiple comedy showcases, free educational panels, networking opportunities and discussions with industry professionals — all designed to give performers greater exposure and local audiences a chance to discover new talent. The Crow, 2525 Michigan Ave. bergamotcomedyfest.org
Malibu’s 25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow (Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm): The name "Malibu" derives from the Chumash word "Humaliwo," meaning "where the surf sounds loudly." "The Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering is an opportunity for the City of Malibu to honor the original people of this land," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said. Members from tribes across the western and southwestern United States will gather to sing, dance, socialize and heal. Chumash elder Beverly Folkes will lead the opening invocation and prayer. malibucity.org/ChumashDay
Making Herstory at City Hall: A Candid Conversation with Santa Monica's Women Mayors (Saturday 2pm): Celebrate Women’s History Month with a panel of Santa Monica’s women mayors, featuring current Mayor Caroline Torosis and former mayors Gleam Davis, Judy Abdo, Lana Negrete, and Pam O’Connor. They’ll share their personal stories, offer advice for women looking to succeed in local politics, and answer audience questions. Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. santamonica.gov/events/4affybqvqyt3nzynj06hgdq8cj/202603281400
Juneshine's Watercolor In The Wild Afternoon (Saturday 7pm): Enjoy a beginner painting workshop with kombucha. 🎨 2914 Main St. instagram.com/reels/DUkKVJxkeaL/
Celebrating the Arrival of Spring (Saturday 9 - 11am): Days are getting longer and it’s time to think Spring! Come to the garden for coffee, conversation, and inspiration. Join us for gardening Q & A; share tips and stories, help plant a bed on site, and pick up seeds and seedlings for your garden. Marine Park Community Garden is located on the western edge of the tennis courts— all the way back by the last tennis court. Marine Park Community Garden, 1406 Marine St.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Closing out the month this Sunday we have local favorites DJ and the Main Street Jam with toe tapping tunes guaranteed to chase your blues away. Also back this Sunday is Ma'am's Noodles usually at the market every 2nd and 4th Sundays with delicious made to order Thai food and a cooking lesson if you stick around. Don't forget the berries! See you there.
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are April 1 (The Housemaid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, April 13, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at [email protected]. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
Santa Monica 311. Submit non-emergency requests to the City.
Santa Monica Alerts. Sign up for emergency text and email alerts.
SaMoNews. Subscribe to the official newsletter of the City of Santa Monica.
Board and Commission Openings. Volunteer to serve the community!
City of Santa Monica Career Opportunities. Get paid to serve the community!
Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Support our municipal Animal Shelter!
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
