Peoples Republic of Santa Monica

[TPC]

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Did you ever think in your lifetime the USA would be reduced to 3rd status , right before your eyes ?? Because it has …

 

[Tank]

I haven’t been to the 3rd st promenade in like 10 years. That’s a STARK difference from the way it used to be! All the closed down stores - perfect storm of ca taxes, lack of crime accountability, covid lock downs and online shopping. Boom, done. Sad.

 

[Not So Fast]

What have they done to Santa Monica ??? Just disgusting, Ive walked some of those streets back in the day but wouldnt try it now

 

[DWC]

You guys gotta quit looking for homeless people. Everyone knows you only see them when you look for them. Can’t see any in SD. All good here.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I haven't been there in 20 years. This is really sad. Like seeing a friend laid out at their funeral. You want it to be like the past, and not present reality.

 

[PlanB]

I had a doctor that was a couple of blocks from the pier about 20 years ago. Very liberal area but was nice and clean back then. Sad to see what it looks like now.

 

[4Waters]

I think it's funny because of the stupid voters

 

[ChumpChange]

Some of the values there on the Promenade have been astronomical over the last decade. Saw cap rates less than 2%. Have a couple properties that just lost their tenants and brought in new ones at 60% of what the previous lease rates were.

The mall property on the south end of the Promenade was just foreclosed on and went back to the bank a couple months ago. This was from April when I sent it to my customer:

 

[04-24Stealth]

You guys gotta quit looking for homeless people. Everyone knows you only see them when you look for them. Can’t see any in SD. All good here. View attachment 1407077

Is that the problem every time I go downtown? Guess I should close by eyes.

 

[TimeBandit]

They feed 'em, why would the homeless leave?

It's freakin homeless paradise down there from Santa Monica to Venice.

 

[TPC]

Simi Valley kid was a regular street performer there, since moved to the Grove.

 

[TPC]

They feed 'em, why would the homeless leave?

It's freakin homeless paradise down there from Santa Monica to Venice.

Yes! The mass feeding is what supercharged the problem. Exasperated it.

When I was a kid I saw the movie Some Like It Hot so I knew who Marlyn Monroe was.
We were staying at my aunts once near the pier and we went for a morning walk on the pier.

Monroe was sitting on a bench in front of the carousel reading, big scarf and sunglasses maybe listening to the carousel music too.

Make America Safe Again.

 

[Javajoe]

Wife and I walked the 3rd Street Promenade like 20 years ago and was the first time visiting Hooters there and got some wings, walked around. Saw the performers. Great day, beautiful place. Never been back that way. What a shame it’s a shit hole now

 

[702sandman]

i was just in Venice a few days ago and it seems exactly the same as it did 10, 15 years ago with the exception of more homeless people. My question is what can we do about the homeless population ? We have the same shit here in vegas in the freemont area. It is a problem but what can be done and done differently ? We kick them out of our town , lock them up , send to another town ? That doesn’t fix the problem…it truly sucks but is there anything we can do to change this trajectory? The shitty part is this can be a family member that lost it all, a nephew, brother, cousin etc ….

 

[DWC]

i was just in Venice a few days ago and it seems exactly the same as it did 10, 15 years ago with the exception of more homeless people. My question is what can we do about the homeless population ? We have the same shit here in vegas in the freemont area. It is a problem but what can be done and done differently ? We kick them out of our town , lock them up , send to another town ? That doesn’t fix the problem…it truly sucks but is there anything we can do to change this trajectory? The shitty part is this can be a family member that lost it all, a nephew, brother, cousin etc ….

What do you think should be done? Should they be allowed to camp wherever they want?

 

[Chili Palmer]

Well, defund the police and call me a racist!

Maybe if they prosecuted criminals, forced the homeless out, and enforced the vagrancy laws, the place might come to life again. This is all due to progressive policies. One of these days a couple of politicians will realize that and start working for the people again.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

They can be the trial astronauts to mars. Just keep sending them until some one makes it there. And then send the rest. Mars is a penal colony anyway, don’t you remember Total Recall?

 

[702sandman]

What do you think should be done? Should they be allowed to camp wherever they want?

No it looks like shit and smells like piss everywhere. The problem will not get better unfortunately, we can elect different people to office to make changes but than that costs us the taxpayer, and no one approves of spending money on the homeless. It’s just a shitty situation I wish we could get a handle on.

 

[NicPaus]

Free food and needles. They send people to pick up the needles. But not the food wrappers and shit.

 

[702sandman]

Well, defund the police and call me a racist!

Maybe if they prosecuted criminals, forced the homeless out, and enforced the vagrancy laws, the place might come to life again. This is all due to progressive policies. One of these days a couple of politicians will realize that and start working for the people again.

Has there been any police departments that have been defunded ? Not sure so I’m asking….and kick them out to where ? That just seems to kick the can down the road.

 

[TPC]

i was just in Venice a few days ago and it seems exactly the same as it did 10, 15 years ago with the exception of more homeless people. My question is what can we do about the homeless population ? We have the same shit here in vegas in the freemont area. It is a problem but what can be done and done differently ? We kick them out of our town , lock them up , send to another town ? That doesn’t fix the problem…it truly sucks but is there anything we can do to change this trajectory? The shitty part is this can be a family member that lost it all, a nephew, brother, cousin etc ….

Social Workers do canvass the beach from Venice through SM. They have LEOs along and the addicts and vagrants are told to leave and offered shelter. If not arrested and sanitation dept cleans up their set up.

True homeless accept a hand up, the rest only accept a hand out.

The sweeps are weekly but need to be daily maybe twice daily.

 

[rmarion]

Homeless problem..

build Re-hab center, temp housing, medical center, job fair, trade schools.. child care, DRUG FREE.. plenty of vacant land in the desert... every city pays for this and furnish one way ticket for them

 

[DWC]

No it looks like shit and smells like piss everywhere. The problem will not get better unfortunately, we can elect different people to office to make changes but than that costs us the taxpayer, and no one approves of spending money on the homeless. It’s just a shitty situation I wish we could get a handle on.

How many homeless want to help themselves? Addicts and mental disabilities are a large majority of the issue. They should be, but are not treated differently than those going through a “rough patch”. Hoping, wishing and throwing money at the situation has gotten us to where we’re at today.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Homeless problem..

build Re-hab center, temp housing, medical center, job fair, trade schools.. child care, DRUG FREE.. plenty of vacant land in the desert... every city pays for this and furnish one way ticket for them

Lump the democrat voters in with the group, build the facility in Siberia and I’ll be happy to pay the taxes to fund that one way trip for all them.

 

[Desert Whaler]

Just curious . . . Has residential property value taken a hit in Santa Monica yet?

I'm gonna guess no . . . but once / if it does, maybe that'll jumpstart a little change . . . doubtful though.

 

[NicPaus]

I have been dealing with a friend of a friend for months. Trying to buy a building from him. He can't follow through. Currently homeless. And the offer I have written up and he agreed to. In escrow on. Is $7500 a month. But he can't get his shit together. And seems to not mind being homeless. Every few weeks I track him down on the streets and get updates. Heroin is a hell of a drug is my conclusion.

 

[W.O.T]

Thanks for posting this, I used to come here as a getaway with my girlfriends 15-20 years ago. I was thinking of taking my son to the pier sometime soon but I think i'll pass.

 

[Paradox]

I remember when most of the buildings were brick on 3rd street. Many collapsed in the 94 earthquake. After rebuilding it was nice for a while.

I also remember calling it the Republic of Santa Monica because of their policies. My Daughter calls it Santa Methica

 

[C-2]

SM and Venice were some of the first areas in LA outside of DTLA to embrace the homeless. It has always been a homeless paradise, lol.

In the early 90's I ran around the 3rd St Promenade area/Venice for 2 months looking for a homeless Peter Criss imposter. I staked out every shelter looking for the guy and I remember seeing people drive up in cars to grab free food being distributed to anybody who wanted it!

Not that long ago the city popped up on the radar as one of the most expensive areas in the nation for residential rents - $8K month. All things considered, still a pretty nice area.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Has there been any police departments that have been defunded ? Not sure so I’m asking….and kick them out to where ? That just seems to kick the can down the road.

LAPD got its budget slashed by $150 million at the peak of the George Floyd uprisings. I hate to sound callous, but it’s not Santa Monica’s problem where the homeless go, before camping in parks and sidewalks was allowed, where were they before? Prop 47 stopped offering the drug treatment as an alternative to jail, that kind of started the rise in homelessness, and couple that with allowing them to camp wherever they wish allowed homelessness to explode. Now that the Supreme Court ruled that the homeless are not allowed to camp in public places we’ll see if that will be a start to cleaning up these towns. But we still have people like Karen Bass that are so tied into giving the homeless housing, but without any drug rehab or mental support most of these people can’t take advantage of these offerings because of their mental state or there is that group that just doesn’t want to conform to the rules of a normal society and prefer the homeless lifestyle.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Just another example of CA Dreamin'........

Whacked policies just like the whacked people on the streets

 

[pixrthis]

My son worked as an EMT in Compton before being moved to Santa Monica and grew to have a greater disdain for the community of Santa Monica much more than Compton. He has grown to hate homeless because of the drain on resources and their sense of entitlement. He hates seeing the police being spit on and berated and not be able to stand up for themselves because of city policies.
He is now a Paramedic at Ventura County FD and says Simi PD is allowed to do everything right. The big difference I see between the two is one is liberal and the other is conservative.

 

[Lumpy]

Went to Santa Monica High in 80’s…it was awesome. Sad to see all the cool places my friends and I used to hangout at turned to shit. Bummed a coke from Molly Ringwald and shot the shit with her on the Pretty in Pink set during the old mall “promenade” scene 1986. Killer shops and the 321 club at the north end.

 

[TPC]

SM and Venice were some of the first areas in LA outside of DTLA to embrace the homeless. It has always been a homeless paradise, lol.

In the early 90's I ran around the 3rd St Promenade area/Venice for 2 months looking for a homeless Peter Criss imposter. I staked out every shelter looking for the guy and I remember seeing people drive up in cars to grab free food being distributed to anybody who wanted it!

Not that long ago the city popped up on the radar as one of the most expensive areas in the nation for residential rents - $8K month. All things considered, still a pretty nice area.

Anyone remember all the drama and lawsuits by locals to stop the big free feeds & needle distribution on the grassy areas along the beach?

I was involved at that same time in a Roller Coaster enthusiasts.
Plans were to construct a super wooden coaster on the pier during it's major refurbishment.
The SM City Council only approved a politically correct slightly bigger than a kiddy coaster.

 

[bonesfab]

Well, defund the police and call me a racist!

Maybe if they prosecuted criminals, forced the homeless out, and enforced the vagrancy laws, the place might come to life again. This is all due to progressive policies. One of these days a couple of politicians will realize that and start working for the people again.

you mean working for the Tax payers instead of the takers. Even thought most politicians are takers themselves.

 

[Paradox]

Went to Santa Monica High in 80’s…it was awesome. Sad to see all the cool places my friends and I used to hangout at turned to shit. Bummed a coke from Molly Ringwald and shot the shit with her on the Pretty in Pink set during the old mall “promenade” scene 1986. Killer shops and the 321 club at the north end.

Dang, The 321 Club. Spent many of Evenings there. Brings back some good memories.

 

[framer1]

Imagine what Newcum could do as President. The whole country could be this nice.

 

[RVRKID]

But I thought Newscum had it all worked out:
Gavin Newsom's leadership allocated an unprecedented $24 billion to address homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Politicians don’t spend money to fix problems, they spend money to enrich their friends and campaign donors. And that’s it.

Solving problems hasn’t been their job for decades now.

 

[Tank]

For those asking how to solve:

I’ve preached this before but there are answers.

First, you have to understand the difference between vagrancy and homelessness. Vagrancy are service resistive individuals usually drug addicts, alcoholics and / or mentally ill. These are the dirty, anti social problem children. Then there’s homelessness that is usually transitional via loss of job, major medical issue, finance issues, etc. these folks do have resources to get off the streets. They just need to know how to access services.

Second, you must understand that bills passed such as AB109 (“non violent offender” early release program, which has a 90% recidivism rate), prop47 (which made possession of narcotics a misdemeanor cite and release offense and raised the minimum of petty theft from $400 to $950) and prop 57 which doubled down on prop 47 and even prop 36 which pushes narcotics offenders towards rehab (good in theory but allows for multiple chances / violations with little consequences) have helped to explode the vagrancy population.

So, how do you fix this? Throwing money blindly at it, doesn’t help. But true repair will cost money.

1) AB109 needs to be revoked. Not amended. Shit canned. The reason it and prop 47 was established was based on over crowding prison lawsuits. Gov brown passed these bills to avoid having to spend billions to build more prisons. But AB109 is a complete failure. When it was passed, prisoners that would usually be released on state parole were pushed to local probation who were ALREADY understaffed. So, the over-site is nil.

2) prop 47 and 57 need to be amended. Mainly bring back 666pc which made it a felony 3rd and any further petty theft / shoplift conviction.

3) prop 36 needs to be amended as well. More strict guidelines and oversight on diversion / drug counseling, specifically if one chooses not to go along with the program they get remanded and get 90 days in jail (dry out).

4) if drug diversion with prop 36 and early release with prop47 is to run successfully the infrastructure needs to be built up. Aka, hire a LOT more social workers and case managers to work with those struggling with addiction to be guided towards successful recovery - counseling , services, etc.

5) build more state hospitals with correct oversight. Not like the 50’s through the 80’s where people were left to rot. Proper care for the mentally ill that are unable to care for themselves.

So, basically to solve the problem you get services to get those that want to get back on their feet the services they need. Not a hand out, a hand up. If you’re a vagrant and you refuse to take services and you commit crimes, you will be put into custody. If you’re are out of your mind and can’t care for yourself whether from birth defect or drug abuse, you go to state hospital mental health facility. And everything in between has the people to provide proper oversight and the backbone to hold people that don’t go along with the program (I.e. want to steal shit, want to be a drug addict, want to live in our parks and sidewalks and river bottoms) get held accountable for the laws they break.

Very simple really. Starts with accountability and enforcing the laws already on the books.

 

[NicPaus]

Excellent post @Tank

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

SM is such a nice place, with the exception of all the homeless. It’s too bad…

I’m considering a job offer in Marina Del Ray and the main things giving me pause are the crime and homeless issues. I have ZERO interest in living in LA County because of these issues and lack of a spine by the prosecutors, so I’ll have to commute from OC a couple times a week.

 

[hallett21]

For those asking how to solve:

I’ve preached this before but there are answers.

First, you have to understand the difference between vagrancy and homelessness. Vagrancy are service resistive individuals usually drug addicts, alcoholics and / or mentally ill. These are the dirty, anti social problem children. Then there’s homelessness that is usually transitional via loss of job, major medical issue, finance issues, etc. these folks do have resources to get off the streets. They just need to know how to access services.

Second, you must understand that bills passed such as AB109 (“non violent offender” early release program, which has a 90% recidivism rate), prop47 (which made possession of narcotics a misdemeanor cite and release offense and raised the minimum of petty theft from $400 to $950) and prop 57 which doubled down on prop 47 and even prop 36 which pushes narcotics offenders towards rehab (good in theory but allows for multiple chances / violations with little consequences) have helped to explode the vagrancy population.

So, how do you fix this? Throwing money blindly at it, doesn’t help. But true repair will cost money.

1) AB109 needs to be revoked. Not amended. Shit canned. The reason it and prop 47 was established was based on over crowding prison lawsuits. Gov brown passed these bills to avoid having to spend billions to build more prisons. But AB109 is a complete failure. When it was passed, prisoners that would usually be released on state parole were pushed to local probation who were ALREADY understaffed. So, the over-site is nil.

2) prop 47 and 57 need to be amended. Mainly bring back 666pc which made it a felony 3rd and any further petty theft / shoplift conviction.

3) prop 36 needs to be amended as well. More strict guidelines and oversight on diversion / drug counseling, specifically if one chooses not to go along with the program they get remanded and get 90 days in jail (dry out).

4) if drug diversion with prop 36 and early release with prop47 is to run successfully the infrastructure needs to be built up. Aka, hire a LOT more social workers and case managers to work with those struggling with addiction to be guided towards successful recovery - counseling , services, etc.

5) build more state hospitals with correct oversight. Not like the 50’s through the 80’s where people were left to rot. Proper care for the mentally ill that are unable to care for themselves.

So, basically to solve the problem you get services to get those that want to get back on their feet the services they need. Not a hand out, a hand up. If you’re a vagrant and you refuse to take services and you commit crimes, you will be put into custody. If you’re are out of your mind and can’t care for yourself whether from birth defect or drug abuse, you go to state hospital mental health facility. And everything in between has the people to provide proper oversight and the backbone to hold people that don’t go along with the program (I.e. want to steal shit, want to be a drug addict, want to live in our parks and sidewalks and river bottoms) get held accountable for the laws they break.

Very simple really. Starts with accountability and enforcing the laws already on the books.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7292797726809476395

 

[Ziggy]

For those asking how to solve:

I’ve preached this before but there are answers.

First, you have to understand the difference between vagrancy and homelessness. Vagrancy are service resistive individuals usually drug addicts, alcoholics and / or mentally ill. These are the dirty, anti social problem children. Then there’s homelessness that is usually transitional via loss of job, major medical issue, finance issues, etc. these folks do have resources to get off the streets. They just need to know how to access services.

Second, you must understand that bills passed such as AB109 (“non violent offender” early release program, which has a 90% recidivism rate), prop47 (which made possession of narcotics a misdemeanor cite and release offense and raised the minimum of petty theft from $400 to $950) and prop 57 which doubled down on prop 47 and even prop 36 which pushes narcotics offenders towards rehab (good in theory but allows for multiple chances / violations with little consequences) have helped to explode the vagrancy population.

So, how do you fix this? Throwing money blindly at it, doesn’t help. But true repair will cost money.

1) AB109 needs to be revoked. Not amended. Shit canned. The reason it and prop 47 was established was based on over crowding prison lawsuits. Gov brown passed these bills to avoid having to spend billions to build more prisons. But AB109 is a complete failure. When it was passed, prisoners that would usually be released on state parole were pushed to local probation who were ALREADY understaffed. So, the over-site is nil.

2) prop 47 and 57 need to be amended. Mainly bring back 666pc which made it a felony 3rd and any further petty theft / shoplift conviction.

3) prop 36 needs to be amended as well. More strict guidelines and oversight on diversion / drug counseling, specifically if one chooses not to go along with the program they get remanded and get 90 days in jail (dry out).

4) if drug diversion with prop 36 and early release with prop47 is to run successfully the infrastructure needs to be built up. Aka, hire a LOT more social workers and case managers to work with those struggling with addiction to be guided towards successful recovery - counseling , services, etc.

5) build more state hospitals with correct oversight. Not like the 50’s through the 80’s where people were left to rot. Proper care for the mentally ill that are unable to care for themselves.

So, basically to solve the problem you get services to get those that want to get back on their feet the services they need. Not a hand out, a hand up. If you’re a vagrant and you refuse to take services and you commit crimes, you will be put into custody. If you’re are out of your mind and can’t care for yourself whether from birth defect or drug abuse, you go to state hospital mental health facility. And everything in between has the people to provide proper oversight and the backbone to hold people that don’t go along with the program (I.e. want to steal shit, want to be a drug addict, want to live in our parks and sidewalks and river bottoms) get held accountable for the laws they break.

Very simple really. Starts with accountability and enforcing the laws already on the books.

There is legit help available for most of these folks. Some simply won't or don't want it, others don't know the correct avenue to get it.
Regardless, it'll only be effective for those who "want" it.

 

[Ballyhoo]

Progressive policies paying off

 

[caribbean20]

SM is such a nice place, with the exception of all the homeless. It’s too bad…

I’m considering a job offer in Marina Del Ray and the main things giving me pause are the crime and homeless issues. I have ZERO interest in living in LA County because of these issues and lack of a spine by the prosecutors, so I’ll have to commute from OC a couple times a week.

Good grief, commuting from OC would be miserable, wouldn’t it? Have you considered the beach cities, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance? They don’t put up with that shit from what I’ve seen.

I used to work in El Segundo and now spend a couple of months a year in Hermosa Beach. If you can afford it, the Beach Cities would be perfect for a job in the Marina, from my perspective.

 

[FishSniper]

How many homeless want to help themselves? Addicts and mental disabilities are a large majority of the issue. They should be, but are not treated differently than those going through a “rough patch”. Hoping, wishing and throwing money at the situation has gotten us to where we’re at today.

The homeless that want help can get it most don’t want it cause it requires that they be clean etc.

 

[500bbc]

But I thought Newscum had it all worked out:
Gavin Newsom's leadership allocated an unprecedented $24 billion to address homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Can't account for it either...

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Good grief, commuting from OC would be miserable, wouldn’t it? Have you considered the beach cities, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance? They don’t put up with that shit from what I’ve seen.

I used to work in El Segundo and now spend a couple of months a year in Hermosa Beach. If you can afford it, the Beach Cities would be perfect for a job in the Marina, from my perspective.

Oh yah, it’s going to be terrible. With this new job, I could afford the beach cities, but I can’t compromise my family’s safety for a shorter drive. I’m also big on 2A and last I heard, I can’t get my CCW in LA County.