October 29, 2024

Los Angeles, CA – Last week, Los Angeles County Board Chair and Supervisor for the Third District, Lindsey P. Horvath, convened City of Santa Monica and St. Monica Catholic Community leaders to discuss strategies for a safe, clean, and healthy Reed Park.

The meeting was attended by City Manager David White, Police Chief Ramon Batista, St. Monica Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, LA County Department of Public Health Dr. Gary Tsai, and other key members of the City, Third District, and St. Monica teams. The purpose was to coordinate strategies for a safe and healthy Reed Park, including how the County can support City efforts, in partnership with the park’s neighbor, St. Monica Catholic Community.

“County and City Departments, in partnership with law enforcement, are aligned on a strategy to ‘take back Reed Park,’ ensuring it is a recreational community space that offers a safe and healthy environment and is welcoming to all,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “I am committed to staying engaged with the City about how we best work together to keep the park safe and bring back opportunities for arts, culture, and recreation. I visit the park whenever I am in Santa Monica and believe that through the City’s safe and clean efforts, as well as park activation, we will create a better experience for all Santa Monicans to enjoy their community park on the edge of Downtown.”

The meeting covered law enforcement response, programming and park activation plans in progress, and opportunities for partnership to ensure a safe and welcoming experience for all at Reed Park.

The City of Santa Monica has embarked on a multi-departmental, collaborative effort to make capital improvements, conduct coordinated homeless outreach and add security measures, as well as work to reopen and activate the Miles Memorial Playhouse.

The County’s Department of Public Health-Substance Abuse and Control Bureau also attended the meeting and shared the update that following a reduction in the City’s Point-in-Time homeless count, outreach teams have reduced park-based harm reduction services given reduced numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the parks.

Learn more about harm reduction services on the CDC website. For information about harm reduction services in Santa Monica, visit the DPH website.

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