2023 – Present: Due to a dramatic increase in crime in Playa Del Rey, FOTJ takes action with trying to create a greater police presence locally. Our initiative was to rehab an abandoned building in the Del Rey Lagoon Park and turn it into a LAPD Drop-In Center. This ongoing effort includes many meetings and correspondence with the City; Council Member, Rec & Parks and LAPD). Although many are in favor, there is a liability issue with insurance that we’re trying to resolve before fundraising begins.
2023 – Present: Illegal beach bonfires cause an alarming number of injuries from smoldering embers, threatening home fires, and lure illicit activity involving drugs and alcohol on our local beach. FOTJ succeeded with persuading the County to install signs at neighborhood beach access points: No Fires on Beach. Also we narrowed down which City department is responsible for enforcement of LAMC 17.12.370 and 63.44 (B)(17). Presently we are still going back and forth with LAPD, LAFD, County Fire/Lifeguards to enforce the No Beach Fires law in order to prevent illegals beach bonfires.
2017 – Present: In order to deter crime; FOTJ uses funds raised to purchase and install surveillance cameras, license plate reader cameras, and Ring cameras, Neighborhood Watch signs and additional walk-ways, streets and beach lighting.
2016 – Present: To slow speeding cars cars for street safety, FOTJ partners with the City to install speed humps, crosswalk markings, resurface streets, street lights, Hawk light and street signs.
2020 – Present: To initiate a greater police presence and back the blue, FOTJ created and promoted Feed a Cop Program. Partnering with local restaurants on a rotating schedule, officers were welcome to complimentary coffee, beverages and meals and several PDR restaurants continue to extend discounts to LAPD.
2018: Ballona Creek in the Ballona Wetlands raised concerns about a potentially dangerous tendency to whirlpool which had killed pets. To prevent this threat, FOTJ partnered with County Public Works to ensure there are posted signs, as well as fencing to give warning.
2015 – 2018: Storm season rains had been causing severe flooding at Culver Blvd/Trolleyway St and also at Culver Blvd/Nicolson St intersections. These flash floods impacted residents and business on Culver; especially the Inn at PDR. Proactively, FOTJ partnered with the City (Council Member, Sanitation) and County to ensure the storm drains were continuously cleared of sand. An additional measure was taken to add a flap to the drain outlet to prevent sand build up. Ever since, the City continues to make these intersections a top priority.
CAMPAIGNS
2023 – Present: Rescue Pacific Avenue Bridge Mission. This historical bridge, circa 1850, is intended for pedestrian passage and cycling. It’s present state of dilapidation is dangerous and long overdue for repair, clearly obvious to the public with the closed off, crumbling sidewalk. Cyclists have collided with pedestrians who are forced to walk on the Bridge Bike Path. FOTJ is partering with the City (Council Member, Transportation, Administrative Office, Engineering) to restore Pacific Avenue Bridge. We have garnered over 1300 petition supporters and actively seeking Federal funding.
2019 – Present: In separate incidents, cars have caused the death of two pedestrians crossing Culver Blvd. FOTJ advocates by being the voice for residents and businesses to ensure the City install a highly visible HAWK crosswalk with flashing lights, mid-Culver business district. We have been working for years now with the City (Council Member, Transportation) to approve, fund and install the HAWK crosswalk light.
2017 – 2018: The City was promoting to end the law LAMC 63.44 Beach Curfew, 12am – 5am, 7 days a week. The community concern was this would facilitate homeless sleeping on the beach, which would lead to encampments, bonfires, drug trafficking, increased crime and an additional threat to incoming LAX night traffic. FOTJ led a City-wide coalition to prevent the City from lifting the beach curfew, thus protecting the community from the many impending threats. It was a hard push, continuous correspondence effort with the City (Council Member, Attorney, Rec and Parks, LAPD), CA Coastal Commission and media. FOTJ garnered over 3000 petition supporters.
2015 – 2018: The County storm drain had severe sand blockage and became incapable of moving floods due to heavy rains. These floods were a profound threat to local homes and businesses. FOTJ pushed the County to find a solution which led to a fundamental repair of clearing the blockage and installing a flap to the drain outlet to prevent further sand buildup. Once solved, the County continues to this day to prioritize clearing the drains and pumping flood water as needed.
2015 – 2016: Due to County Budget Cuts, the County proposed to remove the Sand Berm; an annual installation, circa 1987. The essential Annual Berm, protects homes and businesses from ocean flooding during storm surges. FOTJ petitioned and fought to ensure the County continued to build the berm annually. This effort included many meetings and correspondence with City Council Member, County (Supervisor, Beaches and Harbor) and media. FOTJ garnered over 700 petition supporters.