TITLE
Recommendation to receive a presentation on the proposed Long Beach Safety Recovery Plan (Plan), provide input and policy direction, and approve the Plan and its priorities to address the public safety impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing available federal relief funding; and
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to allocate in Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 21) the expenditure of up to $5 million in the General Fund Group to implement the proposed Plan. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Like many major cities, Long Beach began 2021 with a significant increase in gun violence. This is a national issue that has stemmed from greater economic distresses, unemployment, and upheaval to society experienced over the past year. Gun sales have increased nationally by 64 percent, and the Police Department has had an increase in seized firearms of 51 percent. While murders and assaults have not spiked in Long Beach, they have in most of the country. A recent survey released by the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association shows that 67 percent of cities report seeing an increase in murders, and 71 percent have seen an increase in aggravated assaults.
As of July 13, 2021, reported firearm assaults in Long Beach were up 60 percent year-to-date (YTD) compared to 2020. While the increase is significant, it is far below the increase seen in January, and indicative of the ongoing success of the Police Department’s community-based prevention and intervention programs.
Possible systemic causes are impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and changes to the criminal justice system, including the release of large numbers of inmates and repeat offenders to reduce their risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus; elimination of bail requirements; criminal court proceeding delays; reduced youth programming; and, a record number of gun sales. Business districts and corridors are also experiencing increases in violent crime-nuisance complaints related to people experiencing homelessness, as well as ...
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