Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Long Beach Values Act support
The Council will consider directing the City Manager to report back within 60 days on federal immigration enforcement cooperation, SB 54 compliance, complaint processes, and the October 17 incident. This is a key accountability item for immigrant residents.
Cybersecurity awareness and deepfake threats
The city ran a month-long cybersecurity campaign with staff trainings, posters, and tips on phishing, AI deepfakes, and voice-cloning scams. Staff plan to make lunch-and-learn sessions quarterly and are training directors to verify unusual requests — a real defense against AI-powered fraud.
Human trafficking research partnership
The commission's human trafficking committee is awaiting results from a Cal State Long Beach research project and plans to meet for an update soon.
Timeliness of disciplinary appeals and the ten-day filing deadline
A city worker fired after his commercial driver's license was suspended missed the 10-day window to appeal and asked the commission to hear the case anyway. The commission denied the request, saying excusing one late appeal would effectively erase the deadline for everyone, but signaled openness to future rehire consideration.
Late-filed disciplinary appeal of terminated refuse operator
A six-year city employee lost his job after his commercial driver's license was suspended, then missed the 10-day window to appeal. The commission's decision turns on whether strict deadlines apply even when the employee claims he didn't read the notice.
Police Chief Retirement
Long Beach's police chief is retiring, forcing city hall to launch a high-stakes search for a new top cop. This leadership change gives residents a rare chance to see how future policing priorities will take shape in our neighborhoods.
Surveillance camera trailer pilot
Public Works is installing two mobile camera trailers in the lots behind Panama Joe's and Dogs to curb late-night rowdiness, at about $3,200/month for six months. Residents worry about privacy, noise, data retention, and whether bars causing the problem should pay — and the commission has limited authority since Public Works can proceed regardless.
CSI Patrol accountability and reporting
The private security contractor presented its first monthly reports after years without data. Residents criticized the reports as thin and daytime-heavy, noting the late-night bar hours remain the problem window.
Department-wide storm response readiness
Staff described storm preparations including 109 dead tree removals, generator checks, pump readiness at Houghton Park, and past activation of an evacuation center at El Dorado Park for peninsula flooding.
Second Street public safety options
The city presented a menu of options to address late-night problems on Second Street: a special dining district with fees on bars, a citywide alcohol coordinator, extended meter hours to fund police overtime, and more. City Council will decide direction in November — residents can still weigh in.
Fire hydrant maintenance and stem nut standardization
The city just finished surveying all ~8,000 fire hydrants and found about 550 with non-standard stem nuts that don't fit firefighters' wrenches. The new hydrant parts contract supports replacing those so the Fire Department can use its standard equipment.
Noise violations and community noise concerns
There were 13 noise violations in August — all first-time general aviation offenders, so no fines — and over 22,700 noise concerns logged, up a couple thousand from July. Staff explained the escalating penalty structure, including a unique criminal misdemeanor provision.
Proposed Internal Affairs process for Long Beach Police Department
The Office of Police Oversight has proposed a new Internal Affairs process for how the Long Beach Police Department handles complaints against officers. The commission was scheduled to discuss it and gather public feedback, but the meeting was cancelled, so that conversation has not yet happened.
Social media and campaign contact lists
The ad hoc is finalizing a recommendation to keep constituents connected to outgoing officials' social media accounts and contact lists — so you don't lose your source for sandbag locations during a flood when a council member leaves office. Enforcement would require a new ordinance.
FAIR Act lobbying ordinance progress
The FAIR Act — the ethics commission's lobbying reform package — got a warm reception at a City Council study session. Council members want clarity on what counts as a lobbyist 'contact,' and the mayor wants an extra council review before the meet-and-confer process, which could push final adoption well past the end of the year.
Social media and campaign activity recommendation
The commission finalized recommendations for how elected officials should handle social media accounts and campaign activity, and sent them to the Mayor and City Council. The council could adopt a policy or a full ordinance. The goal is clarity about when officials are speaking officially versus campaigning.
Police interactions with residents with behavioral disabilities
A mother told the commission her adult son with communication disabilities had a weapon drawn on him during a police visit, and asked for sticker/notification systems so officers recognize disability cases. She also asked the commission to push the council on inclusive park design.
Response to Cesar Chavez and Jeffrey Epstein sexual abuse allegations
The Office of Equity is hosting listening sessions this fall on potentially renaming city assets currently honoring Cesar Chavez.
Long Beach Justice Fund funding
Advocates are pushing the city to fund the Justice Fund at $3 million in FY 27, up from last year's $2.2 million, as ICE enforcement intensifies. The mayor has proposed $1 million in structural funding, and Uranga's letter asks for $1 million every year going forward.