Kristina Duggan hosting a conversation on the balance between compassion and accountability for addressing encampments at the Public Safety Committee meeting in October 2023
Highlights
- Graduated four police academies, with a fifth underway that is the largest class in city history
- Approved officer recruiting incentives ranging from $54,000 to $78,000
- Led local support for Proposition 36 to restore consequences for repeat theft and dangerous drug possession
- Authored a Report on Proposed Legislation Related to Retail Theft, Drug Use, and “Smash and Grab” Crimes requesting the City take positions on state legislation
- Authored the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces item to establish time, place, and manner parameters for homeless encampments
- Authored the CORE Strategy for the city to improve its response to threatening and unsafe behavior using both voluntary and mandatory interventions including CARE Court, medical holds, citation and diversion programs, and treatment-mandated felonies under voter-approved Prop 36
- Launched the Lights, Camera, No Action rebate program reimbursing 69 locations for publicly facing exterior lighting and security cameras for under $10,000
- Renovated and reopened Fire Station #14 and restored and expanded ASL Paramedic Units
The Approach Behind the Work
Improving safety in our neighborhoods is my top priority. We can build new parks, playgrounds, and programs, but those investments only matter if residents feel safe using them.
Hiring More Police Officers
When I was first elected, hiring more police officers was the top priority, and it still is. I helped approve incentive packages for recruits between $54,000 and $78,000, and supported expanding academy classes to help the department catch up on staffing. Since 2023, we have graduated four police academies, with a fifth underway that is the largest class in city history. Rebuilding our department is essential to reducing response times, strengthening neighborhood patrols, and increasing specialized details like traffic safety enforcement and quality of life officers.
Hiring More Police Officers
When I was first elected, hiring more police officers was the top priority, and it still is. I helped approve incentive packages for recruits between $54,000 and $78,000, and supported expanding academy classes to help the department catch up on staffing. Since 2023, we have graduated four police academies, with a fifth underway that is the largest class in city history. Rebuilding our department is essential to reducing response times, strengthening neighborhood patrols, and increasing specialized details like traffic safety enforcement and quality of life officers.
A Balanced Approach: Compassion and Accountability
It was also clear that the lack of enforcement for basic rules escalated during the COVID era, and it is no longer sustainable. Residents are frustrated, and our communities are feeling the impact. I believe in helping those who need it, but I also believe there must be consequences for actions that affect others.
That belief guided my work to restore balance in how our city approaches safety and enforcement.
It was also clear that the lack of enforcement for basic rules escalated during the COVID era, and it is no longer sustainable. Residents are frustrated, and our communities are feeling the impact. I believe in helping those who need it, but I also believe there must be consequences for actions that affect others.
That belief guided my work to restore balance in how our city approaches safety and enforcement.
Kristina Duggan and District Attorney Nathan Hochman at a Prop 36 Implementation Forum
Addressing Encampments and Unsafe Behavior
One of the first steps was restarting citations for problematic encampments and people sleeping in vehicles when help was repeatedly refused. This gave the City tools to address safety concerns related to encampments while encouraging more people to accept services and move toward stability.
I also authored an item directing the City to improve its response to people displaying threatening or unsafe behavior due to mental illness or substance abuse. I believe the City should be using all available tools to keep our communities safe. This includes continuing voluntary outreach, but also implementing mandatory intervention tools for when someone can no longer care for themselves but repeatedly refuses help.
One of the first steps was restarting citations for problematic encampments and people sleeping in vehicles when help was repeatedly refused. This gave the City tools to address safety concerns related to encampments while encouraging more people to accept services and move toward stability.
I also authored an item directing the City to improve its response to people displaying threatening or unsafe behavior due to mental illness or substance abuse. I believe the City should be using all available tools to keep our communities safe. This includes continuing voluntary outreach, but also implementing mandatory intervention tools for when someone can no longer care for themselves but repeatedly refuses help.
"It was also clear that the lack of enforcement for basic rules escalated during the COVID era and it is no longer sustainable. Residents are frustrated..."
It also became clear that our police officers also needed better tools at the state level. Too often, they were forced to cite and release repeat offenders for drug and theft-related crimes because of weakened laws. That is why I helped build local support for Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction & Theft Reduction Act, to restore accountability for repeat theft and drug offenses and give law enforcement the ability to intervene earlier.
At the same time, I have pressed City departments to enforce everyday quality of life rules again. This helps address the small number of bad actors who disrupt neighborhoods, so the standards most residents already follow are applied fairly and consistently.
Crime Prevention Measures
Public safety is not only about response. It is also about prevention.
To help residents strengthen their own blocks, I launched the Lights, Camera, No Action rebate program. The program reimbursed 69 locations for installing publicly facing exterior lighting and security cameras, all for under $10,000 total. These simple, cost-effective improvements deter crime, increase visibility, and help neighbors feel safer in their own communities.
At the same time, I have continued pressing City departments to enforce everyday standards fairly and consistently, like short-term rental rules, code enforcement, business license requirements and health code regulations, so that our neighborhoods reflect the standards residents expect and deserve.
At the same time, I have pressed City departments to enforce everyday quality of life rules again. This helps address the small number of bad actors who disrupt neighborhoods, so the standards most residents already follow are applied fairly and consistently.
Crime Prevention Measures
Public safety is not only about response. It is also about prevention.
To help residents strengthen their own blocks, I launched the Lights, Camera, No Action rebate program. The program reimbursed 69 locations for installing publicly facing exterior lighting and security cameras, all for under $10,000 total. These simple, cost-effective improvements deter crime, increase visibility, and help neighbors feel safer in their own communities.
At the same time, I have continued pressing City departments to enforce everyday standards fairly and consistently, like short-term rental rules, code enforcement, business license requirements and health code regulations, so that our neighborhoods reflect the standards residents expect and deserve.
Kristina Duggan at the grand reopening of Fire Station #14 near the Colorado Lagoon, following renovations that ensure the station can continue serving District 3 for years to come.
Investing in our Fire Department and Lifeguards
Police are only one part of our emergency response system. We also renovated and reopened Fire Station #14 to allow firefighters to continue serving District 3 for years to come. I also supported restoring and expanding ASL Paramedic Units to improve accessibility and emergency response capacity.
In addition, we secured new contracts with our firefighters and lifeguards to strengthen workforce stability and improve retention, recognizing their essential role in protecting our community.
Police are only one part of our emergency response system. We also renovated and reopened Fire Station #14 to allow firefighters to continue serving District 3 for years to come. I also supported restoring and expanding ASL Paramedic Units to improve accessibility and emergency response capacity.
In addition, we secured new contracts with our firefighters and lifeguards to strengthen workforce stability and improve retention, recognizing their essential role in protecting our community.
Moving Forward
Going forward, I will continue being a strong voice for residents who expect safety and accountability from their city. I will keep standing up for neighborhoods that want compassion for those who need help and consequences for those who continue to harm our communities.
My focus moving forward will be:
Going forward, I will continue being a strong voice for residents who expect safety and accountability from their city. I will keep standing up for neighborhoods that want compassion for those who need help and consequences for those who continue to harm our communities.
My focus moving forward will be:
- Hiring more police officers to reduce response times and increase proactive community patrols
- Implementing the new accountability tools from Proposition 36, our new District Attorney, and other reforms to hold repeat offenders accountable
- Improving how the City responds to dangerous situations, including mental health crises and serious traffic safety violations like DUIs, speeding, distracted driving, and running red lights
- Preventing crime before it happens by improving lighting and security, addressing problem locations, and keeping public spaces clean, active, and well-maintained.
Kristina in the News About Public Safety
City Council won't support increased penalties on repeat theft, drug possession crimes - September 18, 2024, The Long Beach Post
Another View: Prop 36 is a balanced approach to addressing retail theft and drug crimes - September 19, 2024, The Press Telegram
City to explore enforcement options in 6-month update on homeless emergency - June 21, 2023, The Long Beach Post
Long Beach looks to crack down on unpermitted events at city beaches - May 10, 2023, The Long Beach Post
Belmont Shore's late night safety concerns turns into citywide discussion - November 13, 2025, The Signal Hill Tribune
Another View: Prop 36 is a balanced approach to addressing retail theft and drug crimes - September 19, 2024, The Press Telegram
City to explore enforcement options in 6-month update on homeless emergency - June 21, 2023, The Long Beach Post
Long Beach looks to crack down on unpermitted events at city beaches - May 10, 2023, The Long Beach Post
Belmont Shore's late night safety concerns turns into citywide discussion - November 13, 2025, The Signal Hill Tribune