SR 02-14-2023 1A1
Vernice Hankins
From:Louise Salomon <louisesalomon@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 9, 2023 12:12 PM
To:John Alle
Cc:councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline
Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan; Andrew Thomas; Eric Sedman; Lora
Vrastil; Lucian Tudor; Barry Snell; Luke Cain; Julia Ladd; Julia Ladd; Leo Pustilnikov; Peter TRINH;
Michele Aronson; Josh Gilman; Anuj Gupta; Ericka Lesley; bruce.fairty@smgov.net
Subject:Re: DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas and Board Chair Eric Sedman do not prioritize the appearance of the
Promenade, and instead approve a NEW SUBCOMMITTEE to select murals for building structures
facing the alleyways
EXTERNAL
I am happy my statements will become part of the public record. Hopefully you all read them at your next in‐person City
Council meeting. Wake‐up people!!
On Feb 9, 2023, at 12:03 PM, Louise Salomon <louisesalomon@yahoo.com> wrote:
Communism/Socialism. Whatever the name is. It is about spending our money
on insignificant matters to cover‐up. You are here to serve the taxpayers!! Not vice‐versa!! Safety
first!!
On Feb 9, 2023, at 7:57 AM, John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com> wrote:
No Property or Business owner should have their assessment money spent for new
murals in the alleyways until the front of the Promenade, Downtown, alleyways and
Parking Garages are safe and clean, drug use and drug dealing end, and the alleyways
are free of broken windows, drug paraphernalia, weapons, graffiti, urine, feces, and
dead homeless individuals.
For those Stakeholders who do not reside in or around Santa Monica, here is how
Editor Sue Pascoe of Circling The News described the current dire situation ‐ ‐
https://www.circlingthenews.com/santa‐monica‐lacks‐safety‐for‐visitors‐businesses‐
ask‐city‐for‐help/?utm_source=newsletter‐
1564&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CTN+Campaign
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lw4_fcgqxbvr2DvUECcqdTqrLLoVogfJ/view
John Alle (310 990 7124)
Item 1.A
02/14/23
1 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
2
Item 1.A
02/14/23
2 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
3
Vernice Hankins
From:Louise Salomon <louisesalomon@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 9, 2023 12:03 PM
To:John Alle
Cc:councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline
Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan; Andrew Thomas; Eric Sedman; Lora
Vrastil; Lucian Tudor; Barry Snell; Luke Cain; Julia Ladd; Julia Ladd; Leo Pustilnikov; Peter TRINH;
Michele Aronson; Josh Gilman; Anuj Gupta; Ericka Lesley; bruce.fairty@smgov.net
Subject:Re: DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas and Board Chair Eric Sedman do not prioritize the appearance of the
Promenade, and instead approve a NEW SUBCOMMITTEE to select murals for building structures
facing the alleyways
EXTERNAL
Communism/Socialism. Whatever the name is. It is about spending our money
on insignificant matters to cover‐up. You are here to serve the taxpayers!! Not vice‐versa!! Safety first!!
On Feb 9, 2023, at 7:57 AM, John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com> wrote:
No Property or Business owner should have their assessment money spent for new murals in the
alleyways until the front of the Promenade, Downtown, alleyways and Parking Garages are safe and
clean, drug use and drug dealing end, and the alleyways are free of broken windows, drug
paraphernalia, weapons, graffiti, urine, feces, and dead homeless individuals.
For those Stakeholders who do not reside in or around Santa Monica, here is how Editor Sue Pascoe of
Circling The News described the current dire situation ‐ ‐
https://www.circlingthenews.com/santa‐monica‐lacks‐safety‐for‐visitors‐businesses‐ask‐city‐for‐
help/?utm_source=newsletter‐1564&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CTN+Campaign
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lw4_fcgqxbvr2DvUECcqdTqrLLoVogfJ/view
John Alle (310 990 7124)
Item 1.A
02/14/23
3 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
4
Vernice Hankins
From:MM MM <90291girl@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 9, 2023 8:35 AM
To:John Alle
Cc:councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline
Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan; Andrew Thomas; Eric Sedman; Lora
Vrastil; Lucian Tudor; Barry Snell; Luke Cain; Julia Ladd; Julia Ladd; Leo Pustilnikov; Peter TRINH;
Michele Aronson; Josh Gilman; Anuj Gupta; Ericka Lesley; bruce.fairty@smgov.net
Subject:Re: DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas and Board Chair Eric Sedman do not prioritize the appearance of the
Promenade, and instead approve a NEW SUBCOMMITTEE to select murals for building structures
facing the alleyways
EXTERNAL
Personally I think we need a second rainbow billboard that says all sexualities are welcome. I wasn't sure about that
before but that billboard really straightened things out for me.
On Thu, Feb 9, 2023, 7:55 AM John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com> wrote:
No Property or Business owner should have their assessment money spent for new murals in the alleyways until the
front of the Promenade, Downtown, alleyways and Parking Garages are safe and clean, drug use and drug dealing end,
and the alleyways are free of broken windows, drug paraphernalia, weapons, graffiti, urine, feces, and dead homeless
individuals.
For those Stakeholders who do not reside in or around Santa Monica, here is how Editor Sue Pascoe of Circling The
News described the current dire situation ‐ ‐
https://www.circlingthenews.com/santa‐monica‐lacks‐safety‐for‐visitors‐businesses‐ask‐city‐for‐
help/?utm_source=newsletter‐1564&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CTN+Campaign
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lw4_fcgqxbvr2DvUECcqdTqrLLoVogfJ/view
John Alle (310 990 7124)
Item 1.A
02/14/23
4 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
5
Vernice Hankins
From:John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, February 9, 2023 7:49 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline
Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan; Andrew Thomas; Eric Sedman; Lora
Vrastil; Lucian Tudor; Barry Snell; Luke Cain; Julia Ladd; Julia Ladd; Leo Pustilnikov; Peter TRINH;
Michele Aronson; Josh Gilman; Anuj Gupta; Ericka Lesley; bruce.fairty@smgov.net
Subject:DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas and Board Chair Eric Sedman do not prioritize the appearance of the
Promenade, and instead approve a NEW SUBCOMMITTEE to select murals for building structures
facing the alleyways
EXTERNAL
No Property or Business owner should have their assessment money spent for new murals in the alleyways until the
front of the Promenade, Downtown, alleyways and Parking Garages are safe and clean, drug use and drug dealing end,
and the alleyways are free of broken windows, drug paraphernalia, weapons, graffiti, urine, feces, and dead homeless
individuals.
For those Stakeholders who do not reside in or around Santa Monica, here is how Editor Sue Pascoe of Circling The
News described the current dire situation ‐ ‐
https://www.circlingthenews.com/santa‐monica‐lacks‐safety‐for‐visitors‐businesses‐ask‐city‐for‐
help/?utm_source=newsletter‐1564&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CTN+Campaign
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lw4_fcgqxbvr2DvUECcqdTqrLLoVogfJ/view
John Alle (310 990 7124)
Item 1.A
02/14/23
5 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
6
Vernice Hankins
From:stacey wolfson <stacey.wolfson@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February 7, 2023 11:24 AM
To:councilmtgitems; kevin.mckeown@smgov.net; Sue Himmelrich; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Christine
Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Santa Monica City Manager's Office
Subject:Bike lane on Arizona and 17th
EXTERNAL
I live in Santa Monica and highly object to the new bike lane/cement slabs on 17th and Arizona. I'm a biker
AND a driver and think they are super dangerous. So do my neighbors. Please consider removing them ASAP.
Stacey Wolfson
1330 10th Street
Item 1.A
02/14/23
6 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Mark Sandelson <mark@renegadeflooring.com>
Sent:Sunday, February 12, 2023 2:04 PM
To:councilmtgitems; council@santamonica.gov; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete;
Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Oscar de la Torre; David White
Cc:Mark Sandelson
Subject:SMCC discussion on pickleball
EXTERNAL
I have been a homeowner in Santa Monica for thirty years as of June 2022. I understand that there is
on an upcoming council meeting plans to discuss Councilor Negrete’s proposal as it relates to the
construction of dedicated pickleball courts.
This is an example of an issue that has special import to me as pickleball is the fastest growing
participant sport in the United States, and a sport that regardless of age can be enjoyed by a wider
group of the citizenry that most.
I struggle to comprehend why there are 23 tennis courts in the City and yet only four at Memorial Park
are mixed use tennis and pickle board courts. As it is currently no more than 8% of all times available
on all courts in the city are available for pickleball. This hardly seems equitable and it does not
recognize the explosive growth of pickle ball in the community. Unlike tennis pickle ball is decidedly
not a country club sport but rather a sport played by people of all ages and genders.
As it is the sport is now taught in schools so at minimum let's give the kids a place to play and while
they are in school older more marginalized people can utilize those same courts. That four pickle ball
courts take the space of a single tennis court should allow that there is a need for some acceptance
of the sport.
There are now professional leagues and Los Angeles has a franchise.
Post Covid there has been a lot of attention paid to exercise, mental stimulation and community
engagement and I would suggest that unlike lawn bowling or example that pickleball players greatly
outnumber most if not all participation sports. It is an easy game to pick up and learn and courts need
minimal maintenance
All that is being asked for is a fairer opportunity for the legions of pickle board players. In conclusion I
would like to suggest that the councilors read the New Yorker and or New York Times stories on the
exponential growth of the sport-
https://www.newyorker.com › magazine › 2022 › 07 › 25 › can-pickleball-save-america
Can Pickleball Save America? | The New Yorker
Jul 18, 2022"In pickleball, you're fourteen feet away, and you've got to look 'em in the eye." The A.P.P.'s head
referee, Byron Freso, told me that bad behavior is actively discouraged. "You'll hear comments...
https://www.newyorker.com › humor › daily-shouts › the-pickleball-gangs-of-new-york
The Pickleball Gangs of New York | The New Yorker
Item 1.A
02/14/23
7 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
2
Sep 9, 2022The Pickleball Gangs of New York | The New Yorker Journalism that matters Subscribe to The
New Yorker for $29.99 $12. Cancel anytime. Already a subscriber? Sign in Daily Shouts The...
https://www.nytimes.com › 2022 › 09 › 03 › well › move › pickleball-popular-sport.html
Why Is Pickleball So Popular? - The New York Times
Sep 3, 2022Ms. Miller is one of over 4.8 million pickleball players, or "picklers," in the United States,
according to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball, often...
https://www.nytimes.com › 2022 › 08 › 20 › health › pickleball-sports-injury.html
Thank you for your consideration, I think I speak for many when I say that this is a concern to all
would be and current players of the sport. I hope you will read the articles attached to more be more
fully informed
Best regards
Mark Sandelson
328 21st Street
Santa Monica CA 90402
Item 1.A
02/14/23
8 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
1
Vernice Hankins
From:John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, February 13, 2023 1:37 PM
To:John Cyrus Smith
Cc:councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Gleam Davis; Caroline
Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject:Re: Those needle programs
EXTERNAL
Hi John,
I really appreciate you reaching out. I am also glad that you also share great concern about the
seemingly "clandestine" needle distribution program taking place in our parks partially funded by the City of
Santa Monica and operated by the County of Los Angeles.
By the way, it is not a "needle exchange" program. The used needles are left in all corners of the grassy areas
and in and near the restrooms of three parks we know of, in addition to the Promenade and the Parking
Garages. That's a danger to the public and a liability for us taxpayers. It's very concerning that our appointed
and elected leaders in Santa Monica either condone this activity or do not care to control what happens in our
public areas.
John, we found out our City of Santa Monica uses resident tax dollars to partially fund this County‐
administered needle, synthetic drug and condom distribution, along with instructions on how to ingest. Our
City also pays the Venice Family Clinic to administer the program. Not surprisingly, this expenditure is not
inc;luded in any line‐item or general expense category. It was not mentioned in the recent year‐long City Audit
by the outside firm of Moss Adams.
The truth is that this past Summer our team and I witnessed the program being administered first‐hand. I
notified then‐Mayor Sue Himmelrich who admonished me and replied, "Hey, no big deal, Everyone knows
about that......". The City Council acted surprised, many said they had no knowledge of the program. City
Manager David White and City Attorney Douglas Sloan would not comment. Police Chief Batista expressed
public disdain with the program being administered in the grassy area of the park once used by families,
couples and residents for picnics and play.....their 'backyard' so to speak, but he has the hard task of reporting
to the City Manager and has only responded and deployed officers if and when he knows there is a problem
or after trouble has started.
Neither Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s CEO Andrew Thomas or Board Chair Eric Sedman, or anyone from the
Chamber of Commerce, bothered to respond.
The City pays Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., for use of Ambassadors in Reed and Tongva Parks. The
Ambassadors have stated they are aware of the needle distribution program.
Six weeks after I exposed the problem to the City, two Councilmembers sponsored a motion in Council asking
the Mayor to sign a letter asking the LA County Board of Supervisors to move the program from Reed
Park. Then‐Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and then‐candidates Lindsay Horvath and Bob Hertzberg were copied.
Item 1.A
02/14/23
9 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
2
Supervisor Kuehl and the Board of Supervisors' response was to expand the program to Tongva and Douglas
Parks, in addition to the 3rd Street Promenade.
I followed up weeks ago with our new Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's main assistant who meets with the
Supervisor every day at 2 pm. The assistant claimed neither she nor Supervisor Horvath knew about the
program. Despite promises to respond with the Supervisor's opinion on keeping the program in the parks,
there was no comment. I posed the question to Supervisor Horvath one‐on‐one and in person during a public
forum 8 days ago. Horvath's response was different this time around, and she stated she had been in
discussion with Santa Monica Council Members on the effectiveness of the program.
So now at Reed Park, most if not all indoor programs for Seniors and kids that were indoors are on hold. The
rooms inside are used for a drug rehab program. Thirty yards away on the grass the County and the Venice
Family Clinic are administering needles and synthetic drugs, and 10 yards away from there we have addicts
and hard core drug dealers spending their days and nights with warm blankets and sleeping bags, some under
tents, enjoying the fresh air, with no incentive to leave.
And our tax paying residents, 77% of whom live in apartments, are deprived of using the parks as their
'backyards' and the 3rd Street Promenade as a 'go‐to‐meeting place and venue to dine and shop'. So much,
that according to the City, 86% of residents will not go to Downtown Santa Monica for fear of their own safety.
As Chair of the Parks and Recreation for Santa Monica, you should know this and should have been proactive
on this issue, at least beginning last Summer.
As for the authenticity of our photos and videos, all are authentic with date, time and location.
Regarding your question about specifics on when and where the needle exchanges and drug distribution
occur, in your words ("frequency, location, specifics"), that's your job and the job of your City Staff. Why do
you think the City or County would announce in advance? And FYI, they are not in 'uniform'. They dress and
look the part ‐ ‐ like homeless individuals. They move fast and dress to go unnoticed.
I would love to hear about your plans to remedy the situation. What can your staff do to effectively track
them and end this program?
Why can't the addicts be assisted indoors within one of the many City‐owned buildings, under medical
supervision, and with other needed services available to them? This program is an "open invite" to any and all
who wish to experiment with new drugs, and it impacts our lower income residents who use our parks as their
backyards, for wholesome activities.
Regards,
John Alle (310 990 7i24)
‐‐‐‐‐‐
On Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 3:17 PM John Cyrus Smith <johncysmith@gmail.com> wrote:
John,
Item 1.A
02/14/23
10 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
3
Thanks for sharing that Circling the Drain report.
No one was more pissed than me when Chief Batista first told us Parks Commissioners about the existence of
the LA COUNTY needle exchange program. It's not the city's and never was, as far as I can tell. The County
Health department essentially decided it would save lives by handing out needles to homeless addicts in our
parks, (presumably) without our knowledge or permission.
I share your concerns about this program. I have also been told the city is working on it and know they
continue to.
In the meantime, I need to know whatever info you can share about when and where those needle
exchanges normally take place. Frequency. Location. specifics. What van to look for, etc. I can shoot my own
pics and vids. Any photos or videos usually are more effective and credible when info about when and where
they were taken are IN the pic, like a shot showing the Miles Playhouse in the background and a watch with a
date on it in the foreground. You get my drift.
Share what you can and let me work it a little more strategically on my end..
Thanks.
John
JohnCySmith@gmail.com
‐‐
John E. Alle
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
Item 1.A
02/14/23
11 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
1
Vernice Hankins
From:MM MM <90291girl@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, February 13, 2023 2:17 PM
To:John Alle
Cc:John Cyrus Smith; councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete;
Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject:Re: Those needle programs
EXTERNAL
Oh yay the city is ripping off 5 percent of your home equity to buy needles for losers
On Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 1:36 PM John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi John,
I really appreciate you reaching out. I am also glad that you also share great concern about the
seemingly "clandestine" needle distribution program taking place in our parks partially funded by the City of
Santa Monica and operated by the County of Los Angeles.
By the way, it is not a "needle exchange" program. The used needles are left in all corners of the grassy areas
and in and near the restrooms of three parks we know of, in addition to the Promenade and the Parking
Garages. That's a danger to the public and a liability for us taxpayers. It's very concerning that our appointed
and elected leaders in Santa Monica either condone this activity or do not care to control what happens in
our public areas.
John, we found out our City of Santa Monica uses resident tax dollars to partially fund this County‐
administered needle, synthetic drug and condom distribution, along with instructions on how to ingest. Our
City also pays the Venice Family Clinic to administer the program. Not surprisingly, this expenditure is not
inc;luded in any line‐item or general expense category. It was not mentioned in the recent year‐long City
Audit by the outside firm of Moss Adams.
The truth is that this past Summer our team and I witnessed the program being administered first‐hand. I
notified then‐Mayor Sue Himmelrich who admonished me and replied, "Hey, no big deal, Everyone knows
about that......". The City Council acted surprised, many said they had no knowledge of the program. City
Manager David White and City Attorney Douglas Sloan would not comment. Police Chief Batista expressed
public disdain with the program being administered in the grassy area of the park once used by families,
couples and residents for picnics and play.....their 'backyard' so to speak, but he has the hard task of
reporting to the City Manager and has only responded and deployed officers if and when he knows there is a
problem or after trouble has started.
Neither Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s CEO Andrew Thomas or Board Chair Eric Sedman, or anyone from the
Chamber of Commerce, bothered to respond.
The City pays Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., for use of Ambassadors in Reed and Tongva Parks. The
Ambassadors have stated they are aware of the needle distribution program.
Item 1.A
02/14/23
12 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
2
Six weeks after I exposed the problem to the City, two Councilmembers sponsored a motion in Council asking
the Mayor to sign a letter asking the LA County Board of Supervisors to move the program from Reed
Park. Then‐Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and then‐candidates Lindsay Horvath and Bob Hertzberg were copied.
Supervisor Kuehl and the Board of Supervisors' response was to expand the program to Tongva and Douglas
Parks, in addition to the 3rd Street Promenade.
I followed up weeks ago with our new Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's main assistant who meets with the
Supervisor every day at 2 pm. The assistant claimed neither she nor Supervisor Horvath knew about the
program. Despite promises to respond with the Supervisor's opinion on keeping the program in the parks,
there was no comment. I posed the question to Supervisor Horvath one‐on‐one and in person during a public
forum 8 days ago. Horvath's response was different this time around, and she stated she had been in
discussion with Santa Monica Council Members on the effectiveness of the program.
So now at Reed Park, most if not all indoor programs for Seniors and kids that were indoors are on hold. The
rooms inside are used for a drug rehab program. Thirty yards away on the grass the County and the Venice
Family Clinic are administering needles and synthetic drugs, and 10 yards away from there we have addicts
and hard core drug dealers spending their days and nights with warm blankets and sleeping bags, some
under tents, enjoying the fresh air, with no incentive to leave.
And our tax paying residents, 77% of whom live in apartments, are deprived of using the parks as their
'backyards' and the 3rd Street Promenade as a 'go‐to‐meeting place and venue to dine and shop'. So much,
that according to the City, 86% of residents will not go to Downtown Santa Monica for fear of their own
safety.
As Chair of the Parks and Recreation for Santa Monica, you should know this and should have been proactive
on this issue, at least beginning last Summer.
As for the authenticity of our photos and videos, all are authentic with date, time and location.
Regarding your question about specifics on when and where the needle exchanges and drug distribution
occur, in your words ("frequency, location, specifics"), that's your job and the job of your City Staff. Why do
you think the City or County would announce in advance? And FYI, they are not in 'uniform'. They dress and
look the part ‐ ‐ like homeless individuals. They move fast and dress to go unnoticed.
I would love to hear about your plans to remedy the situation. What can your staff do to effectively track
them and end this program?
Why can't the addicts be assisted indoors within one of the many City‐owned buildings, under medical
supervision, and with other needed services available to them? This program is an "open invite" to any and
all who wish to experiment with new drugs, and it impacts our lower income residents who use our parks as
their backyards, for wholesome activities.
Regards,
John Alle (310 990 7i24)
‐‐‐‐‐‐
Item 1.A
02/14/23
13 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
3
On Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 3:17 PM John Cyrus Smith <johncysmith@gmail.com> wrote:
John,
Thanks for sharing that Circling the Drain report.
No one was more pissed than me when Chief Batista first told us Parks Commissioners about the existence
of the LA COUNTY needle exchange program. It's not the city's and never was, as far as I can tell. The County
Health department essentially decided it would save lives by handing out needles to homeless addicts in our
parks, (presumably) without our knowledge or permission.
I share your concerns about this program. I have also been told the city is working on it and know they
continue to.
In the meantime, I need to know whatever info you can share about when and where those needle
exchanges normally take place. Frequency. Location. specifics. What van to look for, etc. I can shoot my own
pics and vids. Any photos or videos usually are more effective and credible when info about when and
where they were taken are IN the pic, like a shot showing the Miles Playhouse in the background and a
watch with a date on it in the foreground. You get my drift.
Share what you can and let me work it a little more strategically on my end..
Thanks.
John
JohnCySmith@gmail.com
‐‐
John E. Alle
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
Item 1.A
02/14/23
14 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Stanley H Epstein <stanatty@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, February 13, 2023 2:37 PM
To:John Alle
Cc:John Cyrus Smith; councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete;
Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Clerk Mailbox; David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject:Re: Those needle programs
EXTERNAL
Has Doug Sloan, or anyone else with knowledge, opined in writing whether the County of LA and the Venice Family Clinic
have the right to carry out these activities in our City under State, County, and Santa Monica laws? Stan Epstein. 310 393
7619
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 13, 2023, at 1:36 PM, John Alle <johnallecompany@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi John,
I really appreciate you reaching out. I am also glad that you also share great concern about the
seemingly "clandestine" needle distribution program taking place in our parks partially funded
by the City of Santa Monica and operated by the County of Los Angeles.
By the way, it is not a "needle exchange" program. The used needles are left in all corners of
the grassy areas and in and near the restrooms of three parks we know of, in addition to the
Promenade and the Parking Garages. That's a danger to the public and a liability for us
taxpayers. It's very concerning that our appointed and elected leaders in Santa Monica either
condone this activity or do not care to control what happens in our public areas.
John, we found out our City of Santa Monica uses resident tax dollars to partially fund this
County‐administered needle, synthetic drug and condom distribution, along with instructions
on how to ingest. Our City also pays the Venice Family Clinic to administer the program. Not
surprisingly, this expenditure is not inc;luded in any line‐item or general expense category. It
was not mentioned in the recent year‐long City Audit by the outside firm of Moss Adams.
The truth is that this past Summer our team and I witnessed the program being administered
first‐hand. I notified then‐Mayor Sue Himmelrich who admonished me and replied, "Hey, no
big deal, Everyone knows about that......". The City Council acted surprised, many said they
had no knowledge of the program. City Manager David White and City Attorney Douglas Sloan
would not comment. Police Chief Batista expressed public disdain with the program being
administered in the grassy area of the park once used by families, couples and residents for
picnics and play.....their 'backyard' so to speak, but he has the hard task of reporting to the City
Item 1.A
02/14/23
15 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
2
Manager and has only responded and deployed officers if and when he knows there is a
problem or after trouble has started.
Neither Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s CEO Andrew Thomas or Board Chair Eric Sedman, or
anyone from the Chamber of Commerce, bothered to respond.
The City pays Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., for use of Ambassadors in Reed and Tongva
Parks. The Ambassadors have stated they are aware of the needle distribution program.
Six weeks after I exposed the problem to the City, two Councilmembers sponsored a motion in
Council asking the Mayor to sign a letter asking the LA County Board of Supervisors to move the
program from Reed Park. Then‐Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and then‐candidates Lindsay Horvath
and Bob Hertzberg were copied.
Supervisor Kuehl and the Board of Supervisors' response was to expand the program to
Tongva and Douglas Parks, in addition to the 3rd Street Promenade.
I followed up weeks ago with our new Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's main assistant who meets
with the Supervisor every day at 2 pm. The assistant claimed neither she nor Supervisor
Horvath knew about the program. Despite promises to respond with the Supervisor's opinion
on keeping the program in the parks, there was no comment. I posed the question to
Supervisor Horvath one‐on‐one and in person during a public forum 8 days ago. Horvath's
response was different this time around, and she stated she had been in discussion with Santa
Monica Council Members on the effectiveness of the program.
So now at Reed Park, most if not all indoor programs for Seniors and kids that were indoors are
on hold. The rooms inside are used for a drug rehab program. Thirty yards away on the grass
the County and the Venice Family Clinic are administering needles and synthetic drugs, and
10 yards away from there we have addicts and hard core drug dealers spending their days and
nights with warm blankets and sleeping bags, some under tents, enjoying the fresh air, with no
incentive to leave.
And our tax paying residents, 77% of whom live in apartments, are deprived of using the parks
as their 'backyards' and the 3rd Street Promenade as a 'go‐to‐meeting place and venue to dine
and shop'. So much, that according to the City, 86% of residents will not go to Downtown Santa
Monica for fear of their own safety.
As Chair of the Parks and Recreation for Santa Monica, you should know this and should have
been proactive on this issue, at least beginning last Summer.
As for the authenticity of our photos and videos, all are authentic with date, time and location.
Regarding your question about specifics on when and where the needle exchanges and drug
distribution occur, in your words ("frequency, location, specifics"), that's your job and the job of
your City Staff. Why do you think the City or County would announce in advance? And FYI,
they are not in 'uniform'. They dress and look the part ‐ ‐ like homeless individuals. They move
fast and dress to go unnoticed.
Item 1.A
02/14/23
16 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
3
I would love to hear about your plans to remedy the situation. What can your staff do to
effectively track them and end this program?
Why can't the addicts be assisted indoors within one of the many City‐owned buildings, under
medical supervision, and with other needed services available to them? This program is an
"open invite" to any and all who wish to experiment with new drugs, and it impacts our lower
income residents who use our parks as their backyards, for wholesome activities.
Regards,
John Alle (310 990 7i24)
‐‐‐‐‐‐
On Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 3:17 PM John Cyrus Smith <johncysmith@gmail.com> wrote:
John,
Thanks for sharing that Circling the Drain report.
No one was more pissed than me when Chief Batista first told us Parks Commissioners about
the existence of the LA COUNTY needle exchange program. It's not the city's and never was, as
far as I can tell. The County Health department essentially decided it would save lives by
handing out needles to homeless addicts in our parks, (presumably) without our knowledge or
permission.
I share your concerns about this program. I have also been told the city is working on it and
know they continue to.
In the meantime, I need to know whatever info you can share about when and where those
needle exchanges normally take place. Frequency. Location. specifics. What van to look for,
etc. I can shoot my own pics and vids. Any photos or videos usually are more effective and
credible when info about when and where they were taken are IN the pic, like a shot showing
the Miles Playhouse in the background and a watch with a date on it in the foreground. You
get my drift.
Share what you can and let me work it a little more strategically on my end..
Thanks.
John
JohnCySmith@gmail.com
‐‐
John E. Alle
Item 1.A
02/14/23
17 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23
4
JOHN ALLE COMPANY
www.johnallecompany.com
www.thesantamonicacoalition.org
Cell: (310) 990-7124
Office: (626) 795-1511 (310) 319-1511
Item 1.A
02/14/23
18 of 18 Item 1.A
02/14/23