Pacific Palisades, Pacific Coast Highway to Reopen to General Public

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Pacific Palisades and Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to the general public—though “local traffic only” is still being encouraged—effective Sunday, February 2, at 8 a.m., Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials reported during a virtual town hall on Friday, January 31.

Over the next three days, the National Guard will be winding down its operations, being replaced by a “true surge” of six Los Angeles Police Department supervisors and 66 officers present for every 12-hour shift, in addition to 31 license plate readers.

LAPD, District Attorney Nathan Hochman and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto confirmed during the town hall that there will be a “zero tolerance policy” for crime, including looting and price gouging, and people will be prosecuted and sentenced to the full extent of the law, which they collectively hope will serve as a deterrent for criminals who would otherwise be attracted to the area at this time.

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.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department is working to balance the needs of Pacific 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 is reassessing where to place its resources. Critical infrastructure sites, like banks and Palisades Charter High School, will continue to be closely monitored, McDonnell said, and an incident command post will remain at Will Rogers State Beach.

McDonnell said he spoke with Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, as Malibu and other areas have been open for a week. He said the department has not seen an uptick in crime or non-resident/hired services in the areas they serve.

Speaking on behalf of Caltrans, Lauren Wooder explained that PCH would be open with one lane in each direction between Carbon Teach Terrace and McClure Tunnel, with an adjusted speed limit of 25 MPH and red-flashing lights at signals. She said she expected “highly congested traffic,” and for those who do not need to be in the area to avoid it so that residents have easier access.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Director of Water Quality Jonathan Leung confirmed that pressure has been stable for a week, so there should be running water service, but the “do not drink” notice remains in effect.

Hundreds of samples from all corners of the area will need to be tested, Leung explained, with possible further remediation efforts, which, in total, could take a “few weeks.” He said the department is “working to restore as soon and as safely as possible.”

LADWP’s John Vanacore reported that over 4,000 customers have had power restored, with 700 poles fixed and 600 to 1,000 more estimated to be repaired next week. He noted that residents may notice poles in places where they were not previously, which he said are temporary to get power to more customers as quickly as possible. 

Once PCH and the Palisades reopen on Sunday, a curfew will no longer be enforced and those coming to the area—whether residents or contractors, cleaning services etc.—will not need a pass.

The Palisades fire first began on Tuesday, January 7, prompting evacuation orders across the community. Some residents were first able to return to the area as of Monday, January 27.