Quality of Life Issues

By Suja Lowenthal

In 2006, I was elected to represent my neighbors in the Second District with the promise that I would focus on basic quality of life issues such as parking, wayward shopping carts, graffiti and noise from illegal mufflers. Allow me to update you on my efforts and partnerships thus far to improve our community.

PARKING Within two weeks of taking office, I proposed legislation converting city-owned parking lots in the Second District into overnight parking for residents. I partnered with businesses and community groups to convert private lots such as the empty lot at 4th and Cherry into parking for businesses by day and overnight parking for residents at night. As a result, approximately 1,200 new overnight parking spaces were made available to residents. I also worked with city staff to change street sweeping times on Broadway, 4th Street and Cherry. These changes proved so successful that staff is now engaged in a comprehensive review of street sweeping times throughout the entire Second District. I introduced street hash marks normally found in business corridors to our residential areas to discourage a single vehicle from using two spaces. I closed the loophole in city code that allowed split rooms and partnered with the Alamitos Beach Neighborhood Association to develop and implement a parking plan that introduced new parking spaces and safer street crossing for pedestrians. I made sure that diagonal parking was installed on all remaining wide streets, including 14 new spaces slated for installation next to Bixby Park on Cherry Avenue. Most recently, I worked with an online parking management company to create a website for residents to find off-street parking spaces offered by businesses and the city at http://www.longbeachparking.org. For more parking reform information, please visit my website at http://www.longbeach.gov/district2/parking.asp.

SHOPPING CARTS, GRAFFITI & POTHOLES Illegally removed and abandoned shopping carts plagued many neighborhoods in the Second District for years prior to my election. They were a blight on the community and something needed to be done. I rolled up my sleeves and provided the political will to force grocery stores to install automatic containment systems or retrieve carts within 24 hours of being reported to avoid being fined. Now, it is very rare to see any abandoned shopping carts, but if you do come across a cart, please call our Abandoned Shopping Cart Hotline at (800) 252-4613.

When graffiti is allowed to remain in our neighborhood it sends a message to criminals that the City and community are not concerned about appearance, inviting even more crime. In addition, it is costly, destructive and lowers property values. During my first term in office, graffiti removal was reduced from a 14 day response time to 48-hours. When you see graffiti, send a message to would be criminals and call our Graffiti Hotline at (562) 570-2773.

Potholes can damage cars and destabilize surrounding roadway during rainy weather. In addition, swerving to avoid potholes may cause accidents with other vehicles or even pedestrians. When I came into office, it was taking city crews nearly 90 days to fill a pothole once it was reported. Today, a pothole takes only one week to get filled. Help us keep our community safe by calling the Pothole Hotline at (562) 570-3259.

NOISE Among the many sources of noise pollution in our city, residents in the Second District expressed the most concern with illegally modified mufflers on motorcycles. Within months of being elected, I hosted a Noise Town Hall and authored legislation calling for additional enforcement of illegal mufflers and use of programmable message boards to remind the public about our city's intention to enforce the California Vehicle Code. The police department increased enforcement and incorporated citations for illegally modified mufflers into grant-funded vehicle checkpoints. As a result, citations for illegal mufflers increased and residents reported fewer instances of noisy motorcycles along our corridors. To build on that success, I am working with our city staff to develop and fund what may be the first of its kind electronic message board with sound sensors similar to electronic speed signs to warn riders that Long Beach is serious about enforcing noise pollution.

CITY SERVICES During my first six years in office, I have worked with residents and city departments to provide services in a timely, efficient and professional manner. To that end, we have repaired approximately 600 sidewalk locations, 5,500 alley potholes and 12,000 street potholes. In addition, approximately 1,250 trees in the public right-of-way were trimmed and my office helped to plant nearly 200 trees throughout the Second District. Healthy trees improve our quality of life, increase property values and contribute to the character of a neighborhood. That is why I am committed to planting 300 trees throughout the Second District in 2012 and ensuring existing trees along all major corridors get trimmed.

You will also be pleased to know that Long Beach has made it easier to report code and quality of life issues with its Go Long Beach application for iPhone and Android users. Please sign up to receive invitations to events and activities in the Second District such as our tree plantings and clean ups by going to http://www.longbeach.gov/enotify/ and select "District 2".

Protecting and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods will always be my priority. That is why I am endorsed by presidents and chairs from every neighborhood and business association in the Second District. For a complete list of endorsements and to learn more about my efforts to tackle Second District issues, please visit my website at http://www.votesuja.com. I would be honored to receive your vote on Tuesday, April 10th.

Warmly,

Suja