One area resident [considered very credible by LBREPORT.com] described the following from personal observation (not second-hand information.) In the 3 a.m. hour, the resident observed an LBPD officer along 2nd St. in Naples (area Ravenna/Tivoli) speaking to an individual who'd been sleeping in the doorway of a business. In response to the officer interaction, the individual packed-up his belongings and moved elsewhere.

About fifteen minutes later and a few blocks west at 2nd St./Bay Shore Ave. (where the march was slated to begin in a little over an hour), the resident observed a small group of homeless persons walking north away from 2nd St. on Bay Shore Ave., with two police officers on bikes directly behind them, apparently moving them away from 2nd St. and towards Mother's Beach.

Shortly before 3 a.m., another resident's security camera captured what appeared to be [image not totally clear, some uncertainty for us] one or two bicycle-riding LBPD officers in an alley near Bay Shore Ave. north of Ocean Blvd., an area where, the resident says officers haven't been frequently visible.

[Scroll down for further.]

Collaborative, quality of life operations in Belmont Shore are not unique or isolated to the week of November 2nd. The Long Beach Police Department continues to work diligently with our city partners to provide a coordinated and comprehensive approach to address community concerns throughout our city. This year alone, we have participated in over 6 similar operations with our city partners.

Prior to this march, we met and discussed safety concerns with organizers to ensure they were aware that any activity during the march should be consistent with our Community Watch philosophy; and enforcement action should only be taken by Law Enforcement. The police department's role during events such as this is based on the totality of circumstances surrounding the event. Our primary mission is to uphold the rights of all individuals to peaceably assemble, while ensuring public safety.

During the day of the event, LBPD maintained an elevated presence to ensure all those involved would be able to safely express their First Amendment rights. As with any event of this type, LBPD prepares in order to provide an effective operational response to address any issues that may arise.

On Sunday (Nov. 4), 3rd dist. Councilwoman Suzie Price responded on her Facebook page to similar reports of an increased LBPD police presence in the area.

We have been doing regular public health sweeps now for several months. I just rarely ever hear about them from a positive standpoint. But, every time we do a sweep, We pick up tons of trash, issue many citations and connect lots of people to services. It's nothing new, it just so happens LBPD recently did a sweep like that and we've been doing for the past eight months. I'm glad to hear it was noticed. It can't be sustained on a daily basis however because numerous departments are involved and I only represent one part of town. Sorry to get defensive if that's how it came across. I genuinely care about my work quality and that of our police officers. I have tremendous respect for their work and it's not fair to suggest enforcement is the answer here. It's not. Not even close. It's a much bigger problem. But we are committed, listening and not giving up. No way!

But what's arguably not sustainable is the status quo. On Monday afternoon (Nov. 5), LB resident Graciela Ramirez responded in the same comment thread:

A few suggestions: 1. the mayor must stop saying crime is down and the Dept of Health must stop saying the vagrants are not responsible for the crimes. Stop gaslighting the voters, all that does is create a credibility gap with city government. 2.Elected officials may not just shrug and say "I dunno what to do". Government at the state level and even the federal level should be hearing from you, very loudly and very clearly that these laws are NOT WORKING! Pass a resolution, call your counterparts, make some noise. 4.City council has to wake up and pick up some speed. The chop shop resolution was brought up 11 months ago and now it may be going into effect next week? If council had swept those tents off the beach before Dist 9 court said they Were approved, you could have sent a very strong message. Elected officials need to get energized and fast. Enforce the city ordinances at least. All I see at City council Is Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z.

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