MANHATTAN BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO ARMED STRAND ROBBERIES; CITY LEADER TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMMUNICATION ERRORS:
CRIME COMMUNICATION POLICIES TO BE REASSESSED
On June 16, 2023, at 9:24 p.m., the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) responded to an armed robbery along the 600 block of The Strand. At 1:00 a.m. on June 17, 2023, MBPD responded to a second armed robbery at the Manhattan Beach Pier. The robbers stole handbags, phones, cash, and other items from the uninjured victims. MBPD is investigating. The City warns the public of armed robberies via Alert South Bay, Instagram, and Facebook. That didn’t happen here. The people and City Council were not informed of these instances. The MBPD and City Hall have improved public outreach and immediate reporting in Manhattan Beach.
“We did not communicate these two incidents properly, which is not acceptable,” said Police Chief Rachel Johnson. “The responsibility for communication begins and ends with me and I take full responsibility for our lapse. I am grateful that the guns were not used and that the victims escaped physical harm that evening.” Chief Johnson is currently evaluating MBPD’s policies to ensure that transparent and timely information is provided to the community as quickly as possible when an incident occurs. “MBPD takes pride in being a transparent department that respects the importance of sharing as much information with Manhattan Beach residents as possible. We have learned from these incidents and will make sure our practices improve, beginning today,” said Chief Johnson.
In response to these incidents, Mayor Richard Montgomery held a meeting with Police Chief Rachel Johnson and initiated the development of a revised plan to improve communication and information dissemination to the public when crimes and other relevant incidents occur in Manhattan Beach. Additionally, Mayor Montgomery sat with community members on June 27, seeking their feedback and suggestions. He also consulted with fellow City Council members and the City Manager to address measures aimed at preventing similar problems in the future. “Any lapse in communication is unacceptable, especially in matters of public safety. As Mayor, I am embarrassed and disappointed by this communication lapse,” said Mayor Richard Montgomery. Continuing his remarks, Mayor Montgomery added “I, along with the City Manager, take responsibility for the communication failures in this incident, and we are determined to improve our procedures to deliver better outcomes in the future, ensuring that MBPD remains the top police department in the South Bay.”
MBPD detectives are still investigating The Strand robberies. Contact Detective Hartnell at shartnell@manhattanbeach.gov or (310) 802-5127 if you have useful video or information – tip (310) 802-5171 anonymously.
MB WEEKLY:
EXCLUSIVE READER QUESTIONS
TO MB CITY MANAGER BRUCE MOE
Dear City Manager: WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE THE CITY FINANCIALLY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND WHY?
A: I would give the City a solid A minus grade right now. The City’s General Fund revenue sources are stable or growing, expenditures are controlled through prudent fiscal management, and reserves are maintained and adequate to protect against unforeseen or catastrophic events. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. While we are generating General Fund surpluses over the next couple of years, we are also facing increased General Fund subsidies of the Storm Water system. This mission critical operation directly affects our ocean water quality and cleanliness of our beaches through the nearly 84,000 linear feet of City-owned storm water lines. Costs are rising, and the growing subsidies are being driven by federal and state clean water mandates that will cost the City millions of dollars, and yet, today’s fee for the service is the same as it was in 1996 – less than $20 per year per household. Why does that matter? It matters because money needed to cover the shortfall comes from the General Fund which results in less funding that could be used for other important purposes including Police, Fire, Paramedics, Parks and Recreation, community facility repair and replacement, etc. It also means the City will soon be digging into reserves which will eventually be depleted if we don’t fix the funding problem soon. So while we have an A minus grade now, if we don’t “study, work hard, and pass the exams,” (e.g., including fixing our Storm Water system funding) we could be heading for a failing grade (and that is simply not an option).
Dear City Manager: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?
A: Communication. This includes keeping up with the myriad emails that come in on a daily basis. Responsiveness is important to me, and getting back with residents and colleagues in a timely manner is key, even if the answer is simply acknowledging the request and letting the sender know we are working on it.
Dear City Manager: THE WILD COYOTE PROBLEM IN MANHATTAN BEACH SEEMS TO BE GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE THAN THE LAST YEAR. WHY AND WHAT IS THE CITY DOING TO KEEP ITS CITIZENS AND PETS SAFE?
A: I am not sure the problem is getting worse, but I do know there is heightened awareness of the coyotes’ presence, and perception can be reality sometimes. The City Council has been studying this issue over the last year and is monitoring data on sightings and predations to ensure our community feels safe. To this end, the City Council has considered trapping programs and may explore contracting with a trapping service once environmental impacts are reviewed. In the meantime, the approach to this point has been educating our community on the coyotes’ habitat and how to discourage them from approaching our homes and families, while protecting pets. In the meantime, tips on responding to coyotes can be found at www.manhattanbeach.gov/coyotes.
Dear City Manager: HOW LONG ARE YOU PLANNING TO STAY AS CITY MANAGER OF MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: As long as the City Council will have me! Do you know something I don’t?
Send Your Questions To
The City Manager Of Manhattan Beach
The City Manager of Manhattan Beach, Bruce Moe, has generously agreed to write an “Ask the City Manager” monthly column exclusively for MB Weekly. Please send your questions to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Over-preparing for summer concerts in the park. Feel free to share your photographs with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities. Send to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
The Most Exciting, Innovative And Original Dive N’ Surf Shop:
We have been outfitting and stoking everyone out in the South Bay and beyond for over 60 years! We carry the largest selection of Body Glove Wetsuits, apparel and much more! Dive N’ Surf has also been voted South Bay’s Best Dive Shop and South Bay’s Best Surf Shop multiple times. Come on down and check it out. Dive N’ Surf, it’s in the name!
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Dive N’ Surf is a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) 5 Star Instructor Development Center, offering a variety of SCUBA courses from Open Water through Instructor ratings. We have been training people to dive for over 60 years and offer full education, equipment sales, boat charter, air and rental/service facilities. We are one of Southern California’s largest and most reputable dive training facilities. Our highly trained and experienced staff make diving easy, fun, and exciting whether it’s your first course or you’re an experienced certified diver. Sign up for PADI eLearning here or contact the shop for information on classes. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter!
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www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Tyler Malek
Co-Owner Of Salt & Straw
Q: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON MANHATTAN BEACH FOR A NEW SALT AND STRAW LOCATION?
A: We’ve always dreamt of opening a shop in Manhattan Beach. It’s such a close-knit community with incredible restaurants and chefs, so we feel really lucky to be able to join such a welcoming neighborhood.
Q: WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR ICE CREAM?
A: What makes us really unique is our rotating monthly menus. Each month, we launch 5 new flavors that reflect culinary trends, seasonality of ingredients, or social causes that we’re passionate about. For example, we’re launching our Berries Berries Berries Series in July which celebrates the bounty of summer in the Pacific Northwest with 5 berry-infused, mind-bending flavors.
Q: HOW MANY TOTAL SALT AND STRAW UNITS ARE THERE?
A: We have 36 scoop shops along the West Coast, Vegas, and Florida.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT RUNNING A HIGH-END ICE CREAM BUSINESS TODAY?
A: The most challenging thing about running Salt & Straw is finding stories we want to tell through our ice cream. For us, we use ice cream as a platform to tell stories of artisans, farmers, and culinary trends, and we’re constantly looking for the next story to tell. But it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Q: YOU’RE LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LEGENDARY CREAMERY. DO YOU THINK THAT IS AN ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE TO YOUR BUSINESS?
A: We really want Manhattan Beach to be known as the best place to get frozen treats. We love Manhattan Beach Creamery and think what we both offer is really special and unique.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Ohhh, it has to be Hook.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT ARE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR BUSINESS?
A: Hospitality is at the core to our whole style of business. We strongly believe as soon as a guest gets to the front of line, we get the opportunity to make a connection and take them on taste adventure that is life changing.
Q: HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH IN OPENING A NEW BUSINESS?
A: It was so cool to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the City Council. They were so welcoming and set up a ribbon cutting for us to celebrate. We were also excited to raise money for the Friendship Foundation, a nonprofit that’s doing incredible work in the community, at our Friends & Family pre-opening event.
www.SaltAndStraw.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Recently, MB Police officers responded to the Manhattan Village Mall to assist Redondo Beach PD in locating suspects from a robbery at the South Bay Galleria. When MBPD officers arrived, they found the two suspects actively attempting to run from a store carrying trash bags with over $7k worth of merchandise. After a brief foot pursuit, the two suspects were detained.
Accident Kills Beloved Music Teacher Pat Dietz:
Pat Dietz, who with his brother John started Dietz Brothers Music shop in Manhattan Beach in 1988, died courageously recently in Torrance. According to a Dietz Brothers Facebook posting on July 1, 2023: “We are profoundly sad to tell you that our co-founder Pat Dietz passed away this week. On Monday afternoon, after both teaching at our Summer of Rock music camp, Pat and his sixteen-year-old grandson Charlie went to a bookstore in Torrance. In the parking lot, two cars collided in what began as a fender bender but quickly turned into tragedy. One of the drivers lost control and accidentally accelerated into nearby pedestrians. Both Pat and Charlie were badly injured and transported to Harbor UCLA hospital. Torrance police were shocked by what they saw when they reviewed security video footage of the accident. Not those of us who knew and loved Pat Dietz. He was not in the direct path of the out-of-control vehicle; he threw himself in front of his grandson and saved his life. Charlie suffered a concussion and many broken bones, but is home and will make a full recovery. Pat died of head injuries on Wednesday night, surrounded by his loved ones – his wife of 47 years, Carol, his brother John, his daughters Kelly (and husband Nick), Robin (and husband Josh), and Carrie (and husband Matt), and his son Erik. The family brought guitars to the room and played him Lucinda Williams songs throughout his final day. We take some comfort in the fact that Pat left us the way he lived with us: living for others while always staying boldly true to himself.”
** Documentary film director Matt Richardson having dinner at The Kettle in Manhattan Beach.
** Power realtor, John Altamura, having dinner at The Kettle in Manhattan Beach.
** Famed restaurant critic, Merrill Schindler, having dinner at Fete in Manhattan Beach.
** Former Manhattan Beach Rotary Club President, Gerry Morton, having lunch at Fete in Manhattan Beach.
** Prominent real estate developer, Larry Kosmont, having dinner at SLAY Steak + Fish in Manhattan Beach.
Report Shows Spike In L.A. Homeless Population:
The 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count results showed a 9% rise in homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles County to an estimated 75,518 people. The rise in L.A. County’s homeless population coincides with increases in major cities across the United States.
Urban Plates:
www.UrbanPlates.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Mike Michalski
Welcome to Pasha Fine Jewelry; here’s their new security measure. Of course, armed security is expensive, even more so if you’re a luxury goods retailer at a time when the economy could be headed into recession. Call it the Gascon surtax.
Agree? Disagree? Send your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB Wants Misdemeanor Prosecution Unblocked By DA:
The Manhattan Beach City Council, frustrated by L.A. District Attorney George Gascon’s unwillingness to prosecute some state misdemeanor cases, voted unanimously at a June meeting to look into other ways to pursue those crimes. According to city meeting notes, the council voted on “two parallel tracks, working with the district attorney’s office through city staff and the police department, and then the second is to bring back further information” consistent with Councilmember Steve Napolitano’s proposal to “explore” what the council could “take on as a city with regard to either changing the nature of certain crimes” within the city municipal code, among other proposals.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The graveyard crew of the Manhattan Beach Police Department stopped a car full of stolen merchandise from multiple businesses after a shoplifting call for service. Two adults went to jail for organized retail theft, and two other adults went to prison for warrants.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Baba Brown
Manhattan Beach
This is our beach. We need to do better.
Please share your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – A DIFFERENT VIEW:
Crayons in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to share your photographs with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities. Send to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Steve Revel
Environmental Science & Technology reported that more than 100 consumer products contain at least one, and frequently numerous, chemicals linked to cancer or reproductive and developmental issues. Nail polish, shampoo, lotion, and soap contained several chemicals. All-purpose cleansers, laundry detergent, and dish soap contain several chemicals. Adhesives, degreasers, lubricants, and sealants accounted for most items.
Agree? Disagree? Send your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
Welcome to Manhattan Beach
“Aren’t you glad we woke up early to nap here?”
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Steve Yang
Manhattan Beach
Beware! A suspicious male was spotted in our garage area this morning at 4 a.m.! This occurred on Meadows Ave. in Manhattan Beach at 4 a.m. this morning (June 30, 2023). He rode his bicycle into our common garage area at 4 a.m., looking for an opportunity. He turned a security camera away while looking into each car. You can see his face in the video and picture Black Hoodie, Black Backpack, Male Hispanic, Yellow bicycle. —- 1160-1170 North Meadows Avenue, Manhattan Beach
Send your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
WOULD YOU PAY TO SEE A CAGE MATCH BETWEEN MARK ZUCKERBERG AND ELON MUSK?
Please share your thoughts with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
Send your comments to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
THE MISSION OF MARKETING IS NOT TO BE SEEN – But To Be Remembered…:
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MB – BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** The Fish and Chips at Rockefeller in downtown Manhattan are excellent. —- Darcy C., Manhattan Beach
2. ** Are you ready for The Last Waltz? —- Amazon.com
3. ** The words in this MB Weekly Bulletin Board ought to be a little wild, for they should be an assault of thoughts on the unthinking. —- Tony K., Manhattan Beach
4. ** Let’s see: Does anyone think there will be less crime if criminals know they will not be punished? How is our sympathy directed at the criminal and not the victim? —- Phillip Cook, Manhattan Beach
5. ** Five Below to open Hermosa Beach location: The relatively low-cost chain retailer of everything from books to room decor will open a store in the Park Pacific Shopping Center on Sept. 1. —- Editor’s Note
6. ** Let’s cut the crap! Say “No” to Polliwog Park’s Second L.A. County Library! —- Howard K., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Why are the escalators always broken at the Metlox parking lot? —- Jennifer G., Manhattan Beach
8. ** People have a thing about feet. —- Katherine R., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Eat, Pray, Cringe: Elizabeth Gilbert Cancels Herself. The author sacrifices her new novel because it’s set in Russia. What’s next? Russian hats? Russian dressing? —- Darcy T., Manhattan Beach
10. ** Of course, the Bible should be in school libraries. The Bible has a great deal of influence on our culture and is referred to frequently. It should be available for students to read. It’s important from a historical perspective. —- Steve Nicholson, Manhattan Beach
11. ** Anal Sex in 7th Grade in Manhattan Beach. Parents….all of you…..get involved. Go to meetings. Voice your opinions. Vote….for the suitable candidates – demand change. Vote Republican. Get others involved. I am sick and tired of how our great country is leaning, and the longer we wait, the uglier it will get. —- Tom Anderson, Manhattan Beach
12. ** First, the liberals allowed biological boys to play girls’ sports … Then, they let biological men win women’s awards … After that, Johns Hopkins University tried to erase women by defining “woman” as a “non-man.” The Left’s WOKE world is madness! This war on women has to stop! —- Diana Z., Manhattan Beach
13. ** I would like to know his plan to protect the citizens from Coyote attacks on our children and Pets in Manhattan Village. They are here and thriving. I hear people saying how afraid they are to let their children play outdoors, and of course, pets also can’t be left outside with someone or alone. So many people feel like prisoners in their own homes. I have lived here for 30 years, and we didn’t have Coyotes I knew of years ago; now they are everywhere. —- Nina M., Manhattan Beach
14. ** I’ve never once ate a lousy meal at Slay Steak and Fish. —- Andi H., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Your MB Weekly Bonus Issues are lots of fun. Congratulations. —- Darin H., Manhattan Beach
16. ** My family consistently loves the Tin Roof Bistro. —- The Janes Family, Manhattan Beach
17. ** Let’s be honest. Free speech has disappeared in America, like Jimmy Hoffa. —- Taylor T., Manhattan Beach
18. ** Governor Gavin Newsom is a slick, tremendously handsome pandering political hack. —- Oliver B., Manhattan Beach
19. ** School grades are just the outcome of your memory, not your intelligence. —- Dr. Mitchell B., Manhattan Beach
20. ** E-bike stickers indicating completion of an e-bike safety course will be required of Hermosa Valley students who wish to park their e-bikes on campus next fall. Students must also have a helmet to park their e-bikes on campus. The state mandates bike helmets for riders under 18. —- Editor’s note
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