Letters to the Editor

La Verne Murder

The Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA), representing over 200 business members along the 2nd Street corridor, acknowledges the recent tragic incident that occurred in our district and extends its heartfelt condolences to all affected. We stand unified with residents in a call for greater public safety and a stepped-up police presence in our neighborhood. Enforcement of law is the answer.

For over 40 years, the BSBA has served as the voice of Belmont Shore’s business community – advocating not only for our members, but for the health and vibrancy of the entire community. Many of our business owners are also residents. They live here, raise their families here, and have deep roots in Belmont Shore and the surrounding neighborhoods. They are stakeholders in every sense of the word, and they care deeply about the safety and character of this community.

We are not the only voice. Belmont Shore is home to multiple resident associations and countless active community organizations who work tirelessly to uplift our district. We stand alongside them, unified in our vision of a safe and thriving Shore – for residents, for visitors, and for all who love this place.

We recognize the growing concern around late-night activity. While many come to enjoy our unique restaurants, bars and shops, an increasing number of individuals are drawn here for what they perceive as a no rules, un-patrolled after-hours playground often drawn by the perception of limited oversight.

We are now calling – loudly and clearly – on city leadership, including our city manager, mayor and councilperson, to act not just with increased police presence, but with consistent and visible enforcement of existing laws and ordinances.

This means issuing citations for public disturbances, open container violations, un-permitted food vending, excessive amplified music and other ordinance violations that directly impact quality of life and public safety. These are not minor infractions, and they don’t just happen at night. Most, if not all of the street activity can be mitigated by the presence of a consistent police foot patrol that would enforce city ordinances and law.

Long Beach is a city of neighborhoods – each with its own rhythm, personality and pride. From uptown to downtown, from the west side to the east side, every community deserves to feel safe and supported. All nine council districts deserve walkable, vibrant neighborhoods that are welcoming and secure for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

The BSBA cannot enforce laws or deploy officers – but we can, and do, use our voice to advocate for the safety and livability of our district. The association believes safety should not be a neighborhood-by-neighborhood debate – it should be a baseline expectation throughout our city.

We remain committed to working with our members, our residents and our city leaders to ensure that Belmont Shore – and every district in Long Beach – continues to be a place where safety, civility and community spirit thrive.

BSBA Board of Directors
and Executive Director

Funny how the policies of our elected leaders are causing the citizens who voted for those leaders to suffer the consequences of their choice.

Belmont Shore – and for that matter most of Long Beach – have been under assault with crime, filth, homelessness etc. Elections have consequences as those people put in charge ran on a platform known to the citizens.

Defund the police at the expense of rising crime, not punishing those that steal, no cash bail, sidewalk carts, were the hallmarks of the majority of our leaders and council members except Duggan and Supernaw.  However, their two votes on the council do not override the mayor and the other districts.

The ugliness of all these policies are coming home to roost in Belmont Shore. The citizens who overwhelming help put the main guy in charge are now in an uproar, however they have no one to blame but themselves. The police want to do their jobs, there is just not enough of them for all the crime going around LB.

Tuesday night’s council meeting was a joke as the majority of council members overruled Duggan and Supernaw and resorted to the tried and true: we need a  committee to study the problem, report back in 30-45 days and perhaps we might come up with a solution.

Really? I guess murders and other problems in Belmont Shore do not add up for some council members. One saying, “crime is a problem in all of Long Beach.” That council member must be at the head of the class for stating the obvious as the council’s policies allow what is going on.

Just no solutions. So perhaps one will think about what can happen next time.

Dan Jackson, via Nextdoor

Appreciated

I’d like to thank Stephen Downing for his recent article “Second Street Nightlife’s Missing Link.” He is exactly right about what has been missing on 2nd Street for years and what needs to happen to make 2nd Street safe in the late-night hours. I especially appreciate his note that “the time for press releases and reactive meetings has passed.”

Everyone in this community is fed up with empty promises that never lead to real action. I commend Councilwoman Duggan’s quick action to impose a midnight curfew (I’m unsure if this requires a City Council vote) – and I’d love to see that be a permanent solution.

Please continue to put pressure on our city leaders and continue to shine a light on the late-night situations on 2nd Street that are occurring way too often.

Shelly Williams

I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate and always look forward to your publication being delivered and that it is one of the first things I read. I particularly value all of Stephen Downing’s articles and his perspectives on our cities’ issues. He is one of your featured writers (all wonderful) that brings me back to reading your paper first.

Thanks for providing legitimate news to all of us here in Long Beach,

Paul Buberl