Community Pushes Back on Pacific Palisades Reopening, Officials Amend Plan

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

After community members and stakeholders across Pacific Palisades pushed back against the reopening of the area and Pacific Coast Highway to the general public on Sunday morning, February 2, at 8 a.m., Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass announced that the plan has been amended and delayed one day.

Bass and other city officials first reported during a virtual town hall on Friday, January 31, that the Palisades and Pacific Coast Highway would reopen to the general public following the Palisades fire—though “local traffic only” was still encouraged.

Following the meeting, the California National Guard was going to begin winding down its operations over the next 72 hours, being replaced by a “true surge” of six Los Angeles Police Department. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department was working to balance the needs of the Palisades with the rest of the city, as they have been in “citywide tactical alert” since the start of Palisades fire on January 7—meaning calls are being answered in the Palisades, but routine calls are not being responded to in other parts of the city. With the departure of the National Guard and its support at places like checkpoints, LAPD was reassessing where to place its resources.

Newsom reported on Saturday, February 1, that additional state law enforcement resources would be deployed to Los Angeles to maintain checkpoints and keep the Palisades closed to non-residents. He also directed the National Guard to remain on standby for rapid deployment—”if conditions require.”

Beginning on Monday, February 3, LAPD will transfer responsibility for the Palisades checkpoints to CHP and the National Guard, which will allow LAPD to “increase its service citywide while also keeping the Palisades secure.”

Bass sent a statement on Saturday evening, February 1, with information about what residents can expect:

• “Checkpoints and proof-of-residence or entry pass will still be required to enter the Palisades.
• On Sunday, February 2, resident and contractor access passes can be obtained at 1150 Pacific Coast Highway (Lot 3) in the City of Santa Monica between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Contractors are allowed in the fire area and are required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas.
• Contractors must report to the check-in area (Lot 3) each day to be granted access and will be provided a pass to enter.
• PCH will reopen one lane in each direction at reduced speeds on Monday, February 3. Local traffic only is encouraged. New locations to obtain resident and contractor access passes will be announced Sunday, February 2.”

Councilmember Traci Park pushed back on the reopening of the Palisades during the meeting, citing that increased traffic in the area could lead to an increase in crime and difficulties for residents who are just now beginning to return to their properties, but agreed that PCH needs to be reopened for residents and workers to be able to navigate the city.

“This still feels premature,” Park said. “From the toxic environment and damaged roads and infrastructure to roads and landslides and debris flows to the need to keep our roadways clear for all of the utility workers and the hundreds more who will be on the ground in coming days. It seems to me that this area remains a disaster zone, and I don’t think anyone should be up there without a legitimate reason.”

As news spread of the amended plan, community entities shared their gratitude to Park for her efforts.

“Thank you Councilwoman Traci Park for going to bat for our community,” Pacific Palisades Residents Association said on Instagram. “Palisades residents are so grateful to you for being our voice.”