With 1,500 registered cameras, the center is aimed to help in emergency response and crime prevention

The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Station presented its new “Real Time Watch Center,” a new pilot program aimed to help LA County Sheriff’s Department keep citizens safe.

LA County Sheriff’s Department, city, and county leaders came together to cut the ribbon for the new “Real Time Watch Center” at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. Capt. Jennifer Seetoo thanked her department chiefs for their support. Seetoo also described the need for law enforcement and how this new technology.

“Why a real time watch center? When you look across the nation, and you see the need the law enforcement going up, … we can’t hire enough law enforcement, so now you present a gap and how do you fill that gap, i believe that we fill that gap with technology, and that is the ‘Real Time Watch Center,'” Seetoo said. 

Sheriff Luna also said this program can benefit other counties.

“This is a way we keep a community safer, not only from a crime perspective but all the challenges that we deal with from fires, landslides, mudslides, and everything else,” Luna said.

Seetoo said building relationships is essential to policing. She also acknowledged the guests in attendance. 

“What we’re doing in building relationships within the community, I see business owners here, they trust us to livestream their cameras in, so that’s what we’re really trying to do is build relationships in order to protect the community,” Seetoo said. 

Earlier this year, the department launched its camera registry program. When an incident occurs, home security cameras are one of the tools law enforcement uses to identify criminals and solve investigations.

Businesses were able to take community security one step further by giving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’sDepartment direct access to their camera feed in case of a nearby emergency.

The real-time systems can allow authorities to monitor private surveillance camera footage if residents or businesses choose to grant the police access to it when requested.

“Immediately we can look at the cameras, and we can tell our deputies, this is what we see, a burglary is happening now, so that way, we let them know if there are any weapons, that way deputies get their safer, quicker and protect the community,” Seetoo said. “Currently, we have over 1,500 cameras that are registered, and over 400 that are actuallyintegrated; in the next couple months, we’ll, probably have three times as many. Some are updating their camerassystem and integration, so we’re really excited to really see the support of the community.”

Seetoo also acknowledged the fire department and safety personnel who were in attendance. 

“We must look at public safety differently, and I believe that this is one way that we can look and do public safety differently,” Seetoo said. 

Malibu members in attendance included Michel and Ellen Shane, Public Safety Commissioner Keegan Gibbs, City Manager Steve McClary, Mayor Doug Stewart, and Councilmembers Paul Grisanti and Marianne Riggins. 

“It’s a great way, as Captain Seetoo said, to build partnerships in the community, I think that’s a great secondary benefit that I think anybody else envisioned as part of this program and I think it’s great to see the community really taking the role in their own security and working with the police department,” McClary said. “I can’t even imagine what great of a tool it would be an event of a disaster response, that plus the drones, it’s a great to see the move to use as much technology as possible in a way that is really going to improve safety and make it easier for the community to direct a call.”

That same morning, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1297 into law. The new legislation, authored by Senator Ben Allen (D-Malibu), authorizes the installation of speed cameras in Malibu to combat the persistent issue of excessive speeding on this notorious stretch of highway, which has been the site of numerous traffic accidents and fatalities.

Many leaders who spoke, such as County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Senator Ben Allen, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, also acknowledged the passing of Senate Bill 1297.

“Keegan I see you — I see you Chris Frost, I see you Michel (Shane), it was a community effort and really all of us coming together,” Seetoo said. “That’s where the magic happens, when our elected officials, our government servants and the community comes together with one goal, thats where the magic happens, so we can’t do our jobs without you.”

Dr. Gary Michelson, Wayne Pacelle, and rock star animal advocate Geezer Butler were among awardees

By Barbara Burke

Special to The Malibu Time

“California is leading the way on animal protection,” Bobi Leonard and Paul Beirold said in an invitation asking locals to attend a Malibu sunset soiree on Oct. 5.  “Join us to extend these policies across the nation and the world.” 

They gathered on a warm Malibu evening to recognize many who have contributed greatly to animal advocacy and to learn more about the efforts of Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, a nonprofit animal welfare organization that promotes a humane economy.

“I’m grateful to Bibi Leonard for opening her beautiful home in Malibu and for helping to attract such a caring crowd focused on driving change for the better for animals,” Pacelle said. “We are working on so many fronts to combat cruelty to animals, whether it’s reducing animal testing, ending the era of factory farming, halting the trade in kangaroo skins for athletic shoes, shutting down animal fighting pits, or protecting mountain lions, wolves, and so many other wild animals who are being persecuted — we know that when we treat animals well, we make our society safer and more civil.”

Dr. Gary Michelson received the Erika Brunson Award, an honor named after the late West Hollywood interior designer, an animal advocacy and spay/neuter philanthropist who was famous for rounding up feral cats and getting them spayed or neutered.  

“This will change the world!” Michelson stated as he explained a new injection that will render 95 percent of cats receiving the shot infertile. “That’s what a premium the universe has while placing value on protecting cats.”

The feline gene therapy shot targets hormones that prevent ovulation and can help keep cats from becoming pregnant without being spayed, Michelson explained as he referenced a 2023 article published in the journal Nature Communications stating that research and development testing efforts have demonstrated that a single dose of a female anti-Mullerian (AMH) transgene prevents ovulation and in cats long-term. While more studies need to be conductedbefore the therapy is ready for the clinic, scientists believe the injection could ultimately replace surgical sterilization, he noted.

As the awards ceremony continued, Leonard said, “I met a woman not long ago who is most extraordinary as she persevered for years to open her new animal rescue and adoption center in Agoura Hills.” Leonard was referring to Alison Eastwood, recipient of the organization’s Compassion in Action Award for opening her pet rescue and adoption center in Agoura Hills. 

“Please come see our Ranch — We need volunteers and donations to continue our efforts,” Eastwood said as she accepted the award. “Please consider buying bricks to help fund our goals — what I’ve undertaken is a daunting task, but I have hope that we will succeed in advocating for animals because we here in California are known for our efforts and we can make a difference because we are progressive.”

Leonard also addressed “The fabulous set of legislators in California and beyond who advocate for animals.” 

Elaborating, she said, “Congressman Ted Lieu has helped to pass laws that protect animals. He has done so much for our world and in support of the inalienable rights of animals that are still being violated — the world is the same for all us, humans and animals alike.”

Lieu, an active member of the Animal Protection Caucus, has long been a defender of animals through his political career. He has championed bills concerning everything from banning trophy hunting and ending dog testing. He also co-authored the Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies (ProTECT) Act, which would prohibittaking endangered or threatened species into the United States as a trophy and he introduced the Bear Protection Act.

“How someone treats animals says a lot about them,” Lieu told The Malibu Times. “I believe that as humans we have a moral responsibility to treat animals with care and compassion — as a longtime animal lover, I am proud to use my position in Congress to advocate for the wellbeing of animals who cannot have a voice themselves.” 

Other honorees included longtime Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, who received a Rock Star for Animals award. Butler and his spouse, Gloria Butler, are beloved in the animal advocacy community as they have tirelessly campaigned against animal exploitation and have spearheaded the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” effort.

Laurie McGrath, whose nonprofit foundation supports charitable organizations that are dedicated to the humane treatment of animals, was honored with the Skip Trimble Animal Protection Advocacy Award, which is in memory of the California attorney whom many refer to as the “godfather of animal law.”

Impressed by the tireless efforts of all the awardees, Malibuite Cindy Landon, who attended, commented, “I applaud Wayne Pacelle for his outstanding work and the committee for putting on this amazing event — It warms my heart and gives me great hope for the future of animal welfare.” 

Decision overrules Malibu Planning Commission’s denial of MRCA’s application

In April, Malibu’s Planning Commission approved Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority’s application for the Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvement Project Coastal Development Permit with one exception — the Commission expressed concerns about MRCA’s constructing an ADA-compliant, single-stall public restroom on a cliff at Lechuza Beach, citing issues regarding the structure blocking coastal views and potential public safety and environmental hazards from wave action. 

The Planning Commission determined that “even though the proposed restroom would enhance public access at Lechuza Beach, it is located on a coastal bluff and would result in adverse impacts to public views, and these impacts are not outweighed by the provision of a restroom facility.”

MRCA appealed the commission’s denial of its proposed bathroom construction to the Coastal Commission. 

On Sept. 13, the Commission considered the matter, assuming jurisdiction after determining that “substantial issues exist” with regard to the planning commission’s determination. “The city’s findings consist primarily of conclusions with minimal analysis and do not address the specific visual impacts relative to the siting of the restroom facility to support its conclusion,” stated a commission staff report, which opined that the commission staff in Malibu should have conducted an in-depth analysis to minimize the visual impact of the restroom rather than eliminating an essential public amenity.

The Planning Commission’s arguments against the restroom facility

City Planner Joseph Smith, representing the City of Malibu Planning Commission, showed Coastal commissioners a picture of the coastline with story poles showing a major portion of the coastal view blocked by the proposed two-story-high bathroom. 

“The applicant wishes to site a restroom facility in this location that would irreparably block public views moving forward,” Smith stated. “The city fully understands the importance of public access and amenities. The city is not anti-restroom, but it is anti-public view blockage.”

Smith also stated that the city objects to MRCA constructing the bathroom in the view location because the city had negotiated a court settlement with Broad Beach residents. “The issue is simply this: a settlement agreement is a private matter,” Smith said. “A public view blockage is a public matter.” 

Smith alluded to the improvement project being on hiatus for several years pending the disposition of litigation filed by the adjacent Malibu Encinal Homeowners Association regarding concerns relating to access, easements, and use of the beach. 

The years-long proposed project dates back to 2007, when MRCA submitted an application for a conditional use permit and proposed to provide public access to its approximately one-quarter-mile stretch of Lechuza Beach.  

The Coastal Commission determined that a settlement in 2018 between the city and the HOA included the necessary easements for MRCA to construct the public restroom and complete the rest of the project.

Linda Escalante, Coastal Commission member, noted that members of the public visiting Lechuza Beach need restroom facilities. “What do people do, they go there and they don’t want to leave?,” Escalante queried. “They go (to relieve themselves) under the water or worse, they go under the houses that are further down.”

In addition to placing the public restroom on the bluff, MRCA’s construction will include installation of an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS), a gate, access improvements, an ADA-compliant van parking space, and access aisle, and reconstruction of existing view platforms and staircases. The project will construct the OWTS and leach field on separate properties. The MRCA obtained variances for locating public access improvements on a steep slope, for a reduction in the blufftop setback, and for retaining wall heights exceeding 6 feet, and a sign permit to install informational signs.  

Members of Broad Beach have expressed concerns regarding how the public restroom facilities will impact their neighborhood and the beach.

“It will become a pig sty.” Bill Sampson said. “Unfortunately, public restrooms become unclean and there are concerns that a restroom built on a cliff might crumble into the ocean.”

Public Works Commission receives safety study report on the canyon and its surrounding communities   

During peak traffic hours, Malibu Canyon residents can agree that making a left turn to PCH can be a little difficult. To focus on residents who live on Malibu Knolls, Harbor Vista Drive, and Malibu Crest Drive, the city developed recommendations to improve traffic safety along Malibu Canyon Road and within the Malibu Knolls community during its Wednesday, Sept. 25, meeting. 

On May 1, 2023, the city released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consultant services for the Malibu Canyon Road Traffic study to analyze existing and future traffic conditions. On May 31, 2023, the city was qualified to provide traffic engineering services to develop the Malibu Canyon Road Traffic Safety Study. 

The study included an initial traffic signal on streets such as Harbor Vista and Crest Drive.

Senior Civil Engineer Jorge Rubalcava presented the study at the Public Works Commission meeting last week and said this is still a draft report.

“Again, these are not final; we are finalizing these options,” Rubalcava said. “We’re hoping to wrap these up by the end of the year (2024), so we can incorporate them into our Capital Improvement Project Program.” 

Public Works Director Rob Deboux said putting a roundabout in one of the intersections on Malibu Canyon would create gaps on Malibu Canyon so Harbor Vista and Malibu Crest residents have an opportunity to get out. 

Some of the proposed improvements include the installation of roundabouts at Civic Center Way, Pepperdine entrance, and HRL Laboratories main access off Malibu Canyon Road. 

“Getting your input and your comments on this makes it helpful and helps us go in certain directions,” Deboux said.”Once this is finalized and we have a good direction of what we can do, it’s a matter of incorporating these projects in our CIP (Capital Improvement Project Program.”

For public comment, a Trancas Canyon resident who provided her first name, Azita, asked the commission and city if they would consider installing a pedestrian walkway along Trancas Canyon Road, ideally between the bus stop at PCH and the Trancas Canyon Dog Park. 

“Every single day I thank God that I survived yet another day, and that I was not hit by someone driving up or driving down the hill!” Azita said. “There is a pedestrian walkway between PCH that stops at the height of the Trancas County Market. North of that, the pedestrians are left to God’s mercy!”

Azita said that unfortunately sometimes drivers are occupied with their phones and don’t even have their eyes on the road driving downhill.

“I have had drivers pass me by within a distance of less than a foot!” Azita said. 

Azita said the situation gets worse when cars are parked on the side of Trancas field side of the road, because pedestrians have to walk around the parked vehicles, and both the driver’s and pedestrian’s sight is obstructed by parked vehicles.

“Some of us try to avoid getting hit by walking on the dirt portion rather than on the asphalt part of the road,” she said.”A walkway on just one side of the road would be an immense relief for us walking folks.”

She also hopes dog owners feel the same way about walking their furry friends up the asphalt. 

“Not only is the dirt part not flat, it has quite a slope, which is hurtful to the knees. Dog owners tell me it has debris that hurts the animals paws,” she said. 

The next Public Works Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23.