MB WEEKLY:
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH MB POLICE CHIEF
RACHEL JOHNSON
Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IN YOUR JOB AS CHIEF OF POLICE SINCE YOU ARRIVED?
A: While there is certainly a lot involved in becoming a police chief in a new city, I don’t know if I would describe myself as surprised by anything. I’ve worked in three municipalities at this point in my career and they’ve all had very different personalities, if you will. At the heart of each city, though, has been a love for the community and a desire to keep the things that give each city its charm. I make a joke about people never leaving the South Bay because they can’t find the 405! In reality, I think people stay here and choose to raise their families here because of the excellent schools and overall quality of life.
Q: HOW FRUSTRATING IS IT FOR YOU AS A CHIEF OF POLICE TO WATCH A DISTRICT ATTORNEY LET CRIMINALS OUT FAR TOO QUICKLY AND EASILY?
A: I keep my focus on the things I can control. I don’t think you’re going to find a person who thinks that people who commit crimes should not be held accountable. We all want there to be appropriate consequences when crimes are committed and I am no different in that regard. Our role in the police department is to investigate crimes fully and professionally and submit cases to the District Attorney for prosecution. We will continue to do our level best each day to prevent crimes and to apprehend those who commit crimes in our City through data driven and proactive police work. My focus is on ensuring we are there when you call and that the level of service we provide is unmatched. We will continue to make arrests, conduct investigations, and take action to deter crime in our City.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO THE MANHATTAN BEACH CITIZENS ON STAYING SAFE DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES?
A: Three pieces of advice: If you see something, say something, join Neighborhood Watch, and Lock it or Lose it. We rely on everyone to help us when they see things that are out of place or are suspicious. I encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behavior to call the Police Department and report it as soon as possible with as many details as they can remember. Joining Neighborhood Watch is one way to ensure you know your neighbors and are apprised of any crime trends affecting the area. Finally, locking your vehicles, retaining your car keys when exiting your vehicle, and removing visible property are ways to reduce the likelihood you will become the victim of a crime. Last year, half of the vehicles that were stolen in Manhattan Beach had the keys inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. The simple act of retaining the keys when you exit your vehicle can make such a difference!
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: My favorite movie!?!? That is like picking my favorite child – very hard to do! I really find “heist” style movies entertaining, so Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job are two of my favorites.
Student Film From Mira Costa Attracts Attention:
A Japanese-American who was deported to an internment camp in 1942 formerly operated a 120-acre commercial flower farm that now houses Mira Costa High School. Owner Francis Uyematsu started selling off portions of Star Nurseries two years after being forcibly relocated to the Manzanar Japanese Relocation Camp in Independence, California, while a white manager and staff took care of the nursery. After the war, in 1947, the last 40 acres were sold when Uyematsu’s son began to take over the company. A recent student movie depicts the tale. Mary Uyematsu Kao, his granddaughter, appears in the film. Senior at Mira Costa Maddox Chen started working on a seven-minute documentary on the topic last summer as a part of a six-week USC Nonfiction Filmmaking course. It was inspired by a plaque that will be unveiled at MCHS in 2021. He says interviewing retired Mira Costa teacher Chuck Currier, who advocated for the plaque to memorialize Uyematsu, took Chen more than 100 hours.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Ed Kaminsky
President & CEO Of Kaminsky Real Estate Group
Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MANHATTAN BEACH AS THE CENTER OF YOUR BUSINESS?
A: I live in Manhattan Beach and have discovered that the Beach Cities is one of the few places in Greater Los Angeles that has the following benefits for our clients. A) Improved cooler weather pattern in the summer. B) Highest rated public school system. C) The sense of community like I grew up in the Midwest. D) Beautiful beaches. E) Great restaurants. F) Options for housing in everyone’s price range from affordable to luxury.
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS?
A: 35 years
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF RUNNING YOUR REAL ESTATE FIRM?
A: I always have sky high goals for our company and team and when I reach them, it’s easier to set them higher and they get harder to reach, however focusing on stellar customer service has always been attainable.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN MANHATTAN BEACH IN THE NEXT YEAR?
A: Inventory will remain tight and prices will remain strong. I see prices rising slightly but not a lot until interest rates start to tick down which will likely be late summer, early fall.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: Top Gun
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: I love all of the David Slay restaurants, MB Post, The Aurther J, Nando, and Ryla in Hermosa Beach.
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The Rotary Club Recognizes The Best Teachers:
The Manhattan Beach Unified and American Martyr’s educators received special recognition at the Manhattan Beach Rotary meeting on Monday. Teachers of the Year have been recognized by Manhattan Beach Rotary for the past 73 years with a unique awards ceremony. Gerry Morton, president of the Rotary Club, emphasized the organization’s long-standing dedication to recognizing and honoring the community’s top teachers through the annual Teacher of the Year Awards. The Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach has consistently honored the priceless contributions of our educators ever since it was founded in 1950, according to Morton. The MBUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, which monitors and interviews the nominees from each school site, chose the MBUSD teachers who were recognized at the Rotary celebration. One teacher is chosen by the District as the District Teacher of the Year and advances to the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teachers of the Year competition after a rigorous selection process. Administrators from Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS), Grand View Elementary, Meadows Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Pennekamp Elementary, Robinson Elementary, and Manhattan Beach Preschool presented arguments for the Teacher of the Year.
Lido Bakery:
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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Amy Howorth
MB City Councilwoman
I did make a financial contribution to George Gascon’s campaign. At the time, I had concerns about Jackie Lacey. I absolutely regret supporting him. And would not support him for re-election.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Teresa Micco
This is Oso. He was attacked by a coyote in his yard in Manhattan Beach the other day. He had puncture wounds on his rump but successfully chased off the coyote, as witnessed by the owner. Thankfully, there was not a group of coyotes, or this might not have been a happy ending. **UPDATE** Oso is recovering well and taking his meds and treatment like a CHAMP!
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A car drove up an embankment at Manhattan Village. What next? Photo by Dennis K., Manhattan Beach
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RANDOM QUESTIONS FOR
MB WEEKLY:
by Betty Lousararian of Manhattan Beach
If re-elected, will President Biden live to finish his second term?
–NO
Do you tip the baristas at Starbucks?
–YES
Would you rather have dinner with George Clooney or Barack Obama?
–CLOONEY
Do you want outdoor dining to return to Manhattan Beach?
–YES
Did you ever smoke cigarettes?
–NO
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Last Friday afternoon, an MBPD Officer was patrolling the Manhattan Village Mall. A quick check of the license plate on a Honda CRV revealed the vehicle had been stolen the day prior in Beverly Hills. When the officer attempted to stop the car, it took off, and a pursuit was on. The pursuit traveled through El Segundo, Los Angeles, and ended in Inglewood when the stolen vehicle was involved in a traffic collision and rolled over. The suspect didn’t give up, though, and tried his luck on two feet. Unfortunately for him, we had a four-legged friend with us, and four is always better than two. The suspect was quickly apprehended by a police canine before he reached the residential neighborhood and a nearby school. He went to the hospital for some medical care and is now spending the weekend in jail till he can talk about his poor decisions with a judge.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Sarah Garcia
El Segundo
Three years after a national reckoning on policing sparked a large wave of officer retirements and resignations, law enforcement agencies around Southern California are still frantically trying to restore their rank-and-file staffs. Officials from all over the region insist that an influx of new officers is required to combat forced overtime, stress, burnout, work-related absences, and safety concerns among current sworn officers working on low staff. However, in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and others, calls for racial justice and police accountability along with demoralizing “Defund the Police” cries have made it very difficult for police departments around the county to retain the officers they now have while also recruiting new ones to increase their ranks. The personnel shortage has severely hurt the largest agencies in the area. Still, smaller and midsize police departments from Torrance to Riverside and Huntington Beach to Pomona are all working to close substantial staffing deficits.
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MB WEEKLY – Neighborhoods Of Manhattan Beach:
A View Of The Ocean In Manhattan Beach
The city has several distinct neighborhoods, including the “Strand,” “Sand Section,” “Hill Section,” “Tree Section,” “Gas Lamp Section,” “Manhattan Village,” “Manhattan Heights,” “East Manhattan Beach” (Manhattan Village, Manhattan Heights, Liberty Village), The Poet’s Section” (Shelley, Tennyson, Longfellow, Keats), and “El Porto” (North Manhattan Beach). The Roth Tract, between Herrin and Peck, is sometimes referred to as the “Bird Section.” The “Hill Section” is known for its high-priced homes; many of the residences are remodeled or newly constructed. The steep hills allow panoramic ocean and city views. The “Sand Section” has quiet walk-street neighborhoods adjacent to the ocean. Oceanfront homes stretch along the bike path and walking lane of “The Strand.” “The Strand” section of Manhattan Beach includes some of the most expensive real estate per square foot in the United States. Since 2010, new property developments in Manhattan Beach cannot exceed two lot parcels. Size and appearance restrictions were enacted by the Manhattan Beach City Council to preserve the appearance of the beachfront community after three lots were joined to create a 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) oceanside home in 2008.
Downtown: “Downtown” Manhattan Beach is considered the heart of the city. The area runs along Manhattan Beach Boulevard and the streets perpendicular to the Manhattan Beach Pier and Valley Drive. There are Zagat-rated casual fine-dining restaurants, specialty boutiques and retailers that create a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use downtown center. The Metlox site, where the pottery factory once stood for decades, was closed in the early 1990s and redeveloped into a mixed-use center. The Metlox site includes a luxury boutique hotel, spa, restaurants, shops and underground parking.
North Manhattan Beach District: North Manhattan Beach business district is located near the intersection of Rosecrans and Highland and has restaurants and shops. The district is defined as covering “32nd Street to 45th Street and consist[s] of over 80 businesses.”
Rosecrans Corridor: The Rosecrans corridor is located on the south side of Rosecrans Avenue, east of Sepulveda, and west of Aviation. The Manhattan Beach Country Club, the westdrift Manhattan Beach Hotel and Golf Course, retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, multi-story office buildings, and shopping centers border the Rosecrans corridor between Sepulveda and Aviation Boulevards. The Rosecrans corridor is adjacent to The Point and Plaza El Segundo off Sepulveda Blvd, which features additional retailers, including Whole Foods Market.
Sepulveda Corridor: The Sepulveda Corridor occupies the commercial zone, and is the city’s main north – south highway. The area includes the Manhattan Village Mall, which is located east of Sepulveda Boulevard between Marine and Rosecrans Avenues. The mall, built in the early 1980s, was remodeled in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The mall is anchored by Macy’s on both ends and tenants include Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams Sonoma, and the Apple Store. Many restaurants such as Islands, Chili’s, Olive Garden, and the Tin Roof are co-located with the mall. The Manhattan Village Mall is executing a multimillion-dollar redevelopment which adds both outdoor and enclosed retail and restaurant space. There are several medium-size hotels, large automobile dealerships, automotive repair shops, restaurants, multi-story office buildings, medical buildings, pharmacies, banks, small shopping centers and a Target store along this corridor. Kaiser Permanente’s medical offices include a laboratory and pharmacy.
Aviation Corridor: The Aviation Corridor is located along Aviation Boulevard (the city’s eastern boundary), south of Rosecrans Avenue, and north of Marine Avenue. Aviation High School was located at the intersection of Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Aviation until it closed in the early 1980s. The zone includes several major entertainment and aerospace complexes, including Manhattan Beach Studios and the Northrop Grumman Space Park Complex. Manhattan Beach Media Campus has production for movies and entertainment including the Marvel motion pictures Thor and Iron Man 2 and both sequels to James Cameron’s Avatar movie. The studio complex has large photovoltaic solar panel rooftop installations in the area which generates approximately 1 megawatt of power.
MB Weekly – R.I.P.:
Matriarch Bettelu Beverly of Manhattan Beach Dies
At the time of her quiet passing on April 11, Bettelu Beverly was a week away from turning 98. Aside from her family, most people who knew her and what she had meant to Manhattan Beach had already passed away at that age. Councilman Steve Napolitano called the council meeting to order in her honor. He said Elizabeth Louise “Bettelu” Beverly and her husband Robert Beverly were the kind-hearted titans of Manhattan Beach. She was a true matriarch in Manhattan Beach, Napolitano said, and her influence extended far beyond the Beverly family.
** MB City Councilman Steve Napolitano having dinner at Fete in Manhattan Beach.
** Rock legend Keith Richards having dinner at Slay Hermosa recently.
** City Councilman David Lesser having dinner at The Kettle in Manhattan Beach.
** Manhattan Beach mayor Pro Tem Joe Franklin having coffee at Good Boy Bobs in downtown Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The Manhattan Beach Library. Feel free to send your photos to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
More Bike Paths In South Bay:
South Bay residents will soon have an easy open path to travel between Torrance and the Beach Cities via a brand new bike path that will be built in Redondo Beach, according to the Beach Cities Health District. The Diamond Street & Flagler Lane Bike and Pedestrian Path Project will add a bike path, pedestrian infrastructure and improved lighting and safety enhancements to improve accessibility, promote active transportation and enhance multi-modal mobility options. Work for the path is expected to start in early July and should take approximately 90 days to finish. “This project will create an important connection for the cycling community,” said Jim Hannon, President of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus, a nonprofit focused on making city streets safer for all road users. “During a series of outreach meetings to develop the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan, this particular route was identified by the residents of Redondo Beach and Torrance to be vital for the safety of children trying to get to school, families going to the beach and other local popular destinations in the Beach Cities.”
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
SINCE THE MANHATTAN BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN UNDERSTAFFED FOR SOME TIME, SHOULD THE CITY HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS TO HELP PATROL THE DOWNTOWN AREA DURING THE BUSY SUMMER MONTHS?
Please share your thoughts with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
Send your reply (anonymous, if you prefer) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
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MB – BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** According to MBPD, criminals have continued to target Toyota Prius’ – three catalytic converters were taken from those vehicles during the week. —- Kevin T., Manhattan Beach
2. ** The books we read when we’re young help shape the adults we become in ways we don’t always grasp. —- Suzanne H., Manhattan Beach
3. ** Janet, the manager at Fleming’s in El Segundo, is a magnificent hospitality ambassador. —- Donald P., Manhattan Beach
4. ** The old MBPD cars look better than the new ones. —- Betty Lousararian, Manhattan Beach
5. ** Lax enforcement concerning petty crimes inevitably leads to significant criminality. The consequence of supposedly “victimless” crimes like shoplifting and even e-bike nonsense has created a palpable sense of disorder and anxiety. All conducive to an anything-goes atmosphere in which crime inevitably flourishes. —- Pat P., Manhattan Beach
6. ** What happened with Chevron today in El Segundo? Due to a refinery issue, PCH was shut down. Wow, the smell was very strong. —- Dani M., El Segundo
7. ** Mimi was my personal Yoda of dieting wisdom. Thank you. —- Howard Z., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Hawthorne’s SpaceX, And Vast Space, Will Launch The World’s 1st Commercial Space Station. Vast Space and SpaceX have a new partnership and plan to launch the world’s first commercial space station – dubbed Haven-1 – into low-Earth orbit by 2025, the two local companies have announced. —- Editor’s note
9. ** What’s the hardest part of being human – suffering? Loss? Fishing the littlest pieces from the bottom of a chip bag? —- Alvin L., Manhattan Beach
10. ** South Bay housing appears to be in a bear market.
11. ** Did you know Hermosa Police deploy drones to locate missing kids? —- Oren H., Manhattan Beach
12. ** More hassling regulations for restaurant owners. On May 1, restaurants and food facilities in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County must provide only recyclable or compostable food ware such as containers, cups, dishes, and cutlery under a new ordinance aimed at reducing waste and fossil fuels. —- Kevin K., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Disneyland is a total rip-off. Try Knott’s. —- Lois H., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Screaming message to dog owners. Clean up your dog poop! —- Tina M., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Endlessly thanks to Councilman Joe Franklin for his tireless work on e-bike safety. —- Ashley P., Manhattan Beach
16. ** The food portions at Tin Roof in the Manhattan Village are huge! —- Madison H., Manhattan Beach
17. ** Thank God! Nextdoor is launching a new AI assistant to help people write nicer posts about that one neighbor who won’t pick up after their dog (you know who you are). —- Jeremy B., Manhattan Beach
18. ** I (still) never see any police presence in the downtown area of Manhattan Beach. Day. Night. Weekend. Never. Even after all of the problems. Why? —- Thomas V., Manhattan Beach
19. ** I have personally witnessed the collapse of modern medicine up close. I am concerned about how the DEI agenda is hurting healthcare for all patients, regardless of their position, as it favors people and policies based on color, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation rather than merit. —- Dr. Albert C., Manhattan Beach
20. ** Prince Harry is one very troubled guy. —- Missy C., Manhattan Beach
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