'Santa Monica IS NOT safe,' Third Street Promenade sign claims. But data show crime is falling

Terry Castleman
·2 min read
Los Angeles, CA - December 20: A sign reads "Santa Monica is Not Safe," has sparked controversy on Third Street Promenade on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA. One property owner says it's meant to draw attention, especially to city officials he blames for turning a blind eye to homelessness and crime. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
A sign reading "Santa Monica IS NOT safe" has sparked controversy on the Third Street Promenade. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The large banner draped across an empty storefront on the Third Street Promenade carries an eye-catching message for crowds of holiday shoppers: "Santa Monica IS NOT safe," it reads, above a second sign with the words "Crime ... depravity ... outdoor mental asylum."

The Santa Monica Coalition, described on its website as a group of "homeowners, renters, business owners and locals," posted a statement featuring the same message and graphic on its website.

The statement demands that city leaders "enforce the laws, fund law enforcement" and improve public safety. "Do not come to Santa Monica," it states bluntly. "IT IS NOT SAFE."

But a Times review of public data from the city undercuts the idea that the city is growing more dangerous. Overall police incidents in Santa Monica have trended downward in the last 15 years.

The most common police incidents involve theft from vehicles, public intoxication, vandalism, simple assault and fraud.

Public data also show that police calls for service in Santa Monica declined significantly in 2020 relative to the six years prior, and have stayed relatively flat since.

The Santa Monica Coalition website also links to a YouTube channel featuring political ads, including one titled "Don't Let Criminals Destroy our Santa Monica Culture," which shows predominantly Black people accused of crimes as ominous music plays.

The coalition's website and YouTube channel were created in May, shortly before the California primary election.

Early content featured reposted articles from conservative blog RedState and the Santa Monica Observer, which came under recent scrutiny for publishing a false article on Paul Pelosi. In a YouTube video posted shortly before the November midterm election, the coalition endorsed Councilwoman Lana Negrete and candidate Armen Melkonians.

The city of Santa Monica issued a statement in response to the coalition's Third Street Promenade banners, saying: "We care deeply about the success of Santa Monica businesses. It’s sad that a small group of landlords are working against our collective success through signage at the very moment when small businesses are welcoming holiday customers."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.