My Agenda for Hope: Overcoming Santa Monica's Crisis of Spirit

My Agenda for Hope: Overcoming Santa Monica's Crisis of Spirit

I wear many hats in the city of Santa Monica. I am a son of this city, a shopper, a longtime former commissioner, a volunteer, and the Mayor. Santa Monica is not just a city to me; it’s my home. I was born here, my business is here, and serving as your mayor is the greatest honor of my life. “I’ve seen every sunset and every palm tree,” I often say. I watch as our community grows and thrives, and I am proud to welcome new residents and visitors alike. Yet, having spent my life here, I see and feel a crisis of spirit in the air — a breakdown in order and safety that will continue to spiral out of control desperation as crime, mental illness, and addiction remain untreated. Our resources can only respond to the surface of the problem. Still, because of the political attention this crisis has caused, I know this is our moment to act—because Santa Monica deserves nothing less.

Our approach must be both compassionate and effective. That’s why we are channeling at least $28 million into police and fire response while also providing $10 million in grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to aiding the homeless. Yet, as I look around, it’s clear that our city desperately needs additional resources, particularly street teams and mental health professionals.

Last week, I rode with Los Angeles County’s mental health department’s response van as they placed an individual who was suffering through a mental health crisis in a 5150 psychiatric hold. Throughout the day, I saw how debilitated our system was in protecting and providing for our community due to the lack of support our city has. Currently, we are operating with just one mental health response van, and the staff is stretched thin. We have enough beds to hospitalize these patients but not enough staff to treat them. To truly make a difference, we need to establish four 4-person teams for each quadrant of Santa Monica, working seven days a week with repeat visits to ensure consistent support for homeless and drug-addicted individuals. This expanded presence will enable us to address the immediate symptoms of this long-term drug and mental health crisis while also maintaining the safety and well-being of our community.

One crucial aspect of our strategy is the application of the Grants Pass Supreme Court decision, which allows us to remove individuals from the city if they refuse treatment. This legal framework supports our efforts to balance our focus on rehabilitation with the necessity of maintaining public order. However, our primary goal remains to provide effective support and intervention to those in need.

I am heartened to see that a large majority of Santa Monica’s residents support stronger anti-camping laws, which I have introduced to the Council. This overwhelming consensus reflects our shared commitment to restoring safety and order in our city. With my allies on the city council, I am determined to advance these measures and ordinances, ensuring we can effectively address the challenges we face.

Looking further ahead, passing Prop 36 is essential to creating a framework of accountability that will foster a community of growth and safety. This proposition will help us build a sustainable approach to managing homelessness, enabling us to move forward with both empathy and effectiveness. This is our chance to vote for that vision, and it is my duty as Mayor to push for an initiative that will aid Santa Monica in remaining the beautiful, vibrant beach town we cherish.

In these challenging times, we must act with determination and compassion. By working together, we can restore safety, enhance accountability, and preserve the unique character of our beloved city. We must also vote yes on Prop 36, as accountability is the key to recovery, not only among those who suffer from drugs and homelessness but also among those who suffer from the effects of lawlessness. Let us commit to this vision and work towards a future where Santa Monica remains a beacon of hope, beauty, and opportunity.

Mayor Phil Brock is a member of CALHaven, a broad bipartisan coalition of elected officials and community leaders that advocates for a safer and healthier California. This article was first published in the CALHaven Forum at CALHaven.org.