Candidate Conversations: Crime and Communications
Oct 19, 2026 08:46AM ● By MB News Staff
- How serious is the communication problem involving crime and public safety, in your view?
- In what kinds of cases does the public need to know something, even if information is limited, versus getting an official, more complete story, when police and communications officials are able to provide detail?
- Does MBPD or the city have staffing issues that need to be addressed for when incidents occur overnight or on weekends?
- As a member of the council, how would you aim to improve communications?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
In what kinds of cases does the public need to know something, even if information is limited, versus getting an official, more complete story, when police and communications officials are able to provide detail?
Does MBPD or the city have staffing issues that need to be addressed for when incidents occur overnight or on weekends?
As a member of the council, how would you aim to improve communications?
As I stated above, there must be communication made to the public as soon as possible after any violent crime occurs and any threat to public safety (think of the Chevron refinery explosion)! I understand the police departments hesitation in releasing any information that may possibly hinder an investigation. However, we have a full time “public information officer on staff”! The PIO can draft a statement, have it reviewed by the chief and or the city manager and then released that will inform the public without compromising any investigation.
AMY HOWORTH
I deeply share the community’s concern regarding public safety and completely understand how alarming incidents like this can be for residents and local families.
I hear your concerns loud and clear, especially given that this incident occurred in a vibrant, busy area of our downtown on a Friday evening. It is completely natural to feel anxious when something like this happens in our neighborhood.
At the same time, I want to reassure you that our police department follows carefully established protocols to keep us safe. Emergency alerts are strictly reserved for situations where there is an immediate, ongoing threat to the community. Misusing them can cause unnecessary panic when there is no active danger.
In this instance, officers confirmed very quickly that there was no ongoing threat to public safety. Because the situation was contained, no Nixle or immediate emergency alert was necessary, aligning with standard safety procedures.
When an incident doesn't pose a continuing threat, details are routinely made available in our weekly crime reports. You can view these updates on our website or sign up to receive them directly via email: (https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/Home/Components/News/News/5962/43).
Our first responders’ immediate focus is always on protecting our community, assessing potential threats, and securing the scene. Crucially, law enforcement must thoroughly verify all details before making public announcements so that inaccurate information isn't spread and ongoing investigations aren't compromised.
To offer full context on that evening, roughly 90 minutes after the downtown incident, a tragic car crash took place. The collision injured one of our officers, tragically took the life of a Mira Costa graduate, and critically injured her brother. Our officers worked tirelessly through the night and into the following days under heartbreaking circumstances to ensure a meticulous investigation.
This was a devastating loss for Manhattan Beach, and my heart goes out to the family and everyone grieving during this painful time.
Managing multiple overlapping emergencies requires incredible dedication, care, and precision from our first responders, who always put the immediate physical safety of our residents first.
I hear how important timely updates are to peace of mind, and I appreciate why lack of information can feel unsettling. Staff is actively reviewing our communication approaches to see how we can better inform the public during high-concern incidents even when emergency alerts aren't warranted.
I trust that MBPD is fully resourced to protect our town and keep our community updated. Their strategic decision not to issue an emergency broadcast was grounded in certainty that the public was safe.
I have met with city staff to carefully review the response and identify any ways we can enhance transparency moving forward. If refinements to our protocol can help keep you better informed without causing undue alarm, we will make those improvements.
We should always be striving to communicate better, but above all, please know that our community’s safety was maintained throughout.
I invite you to attend the upcoming MBPD Town Hall next Wednesday from 6–8 p.m. at the Joslyn Center. It will be a good opportunity to hear updates directly from the department and ask questions as more details become available.
MARK BURTON
How serious is the communication problem involving crime and public safety, in your view?
Very serious. As a former Prosecutor and City Attorney for the LAPD and the LAX Police, I have the experience and expertise in all policing matters including appropriate communication with the public. Unless the information is "need to know, right to know", all information regarding crime and public safety issues should be immediately provided to our residents and businesses. This is especially true if armed suspects are on the loose. Such timely information builds trust between our MBPD and the public.
The recent Downtown incident is illustrative of a serious "lack of timely communication" problem between our police department and our residents and businesses. This is not the first time that there has been a significant delay by our police department regarding a crime or a public safety issue. As far as the MBPD is often limited about what they can say due to ongoing investigations, I think that rationale doesn't apply when you have an armed suspect who just committed a crime and that suspect is on the loose.
In what kinds of cases does the public need to know something, even if information is limited, versus getting an official, more complete story, when police and communications officials are able to provide detail?
When a serious crime has just occurred such as armed robbery, rape and a pistol whipping [Editor's note: The October 9 crime did not involve a rape], then that information needs to be disclosed immediately to our residents, businesses and the public. It should be common sense that a fleeing felon is a danger to our residents, businesses and public, who all have the "need to know and the right to know", to protect themselves and their families. After a suspect has been arrested and the suspect is facing prosecution, then the MBPD can work with the Prosecutor to determine what complete story will be released to the public.
Does MBPD or the city have staffing issues that need to be addressed for when incidents occur overnight or on weekends?
No. MBPD Officers are working a 3/12 schedule, so officers are available 24/7. However, MBPD should have periodic training for their officers regarding their communication policies. Also, in roll call, all officers and supervisors should be reminded of the importance of immediate communication involving crimes that have just been committed and the suspect is on the loose. They should also be reminded how important it is to do so for the safety of our residents, their families and all who visit Manhattan Beach.
As a member of the council, how would you aim to improve communications?
Council needs to adopt strict "communication" guidelines for our MBPD. Such mandatory guidelines should address crimes that have just been committed where the suspect is still at large and those crimes where a suspect is in custody facing prosecution. For those crimes that have just been committed where the suspect is still at large, all communication shall be immediate and such communication shall provide description of the nature of the crime, the location where the crime was committed, any description of the suspect, the last known location of the suspect, what MBPD is doing to apprehend the suspect, and a MBPD phone number to call if a resident has any information to provide MBPD.
Finally, the City Council needs to direct the MBPD Police Chief, through the City Manager, to implement a Downtown MB foot beat officer program as soon as possible. The presence of a police officer is still the number one deterrent to crime.
JOSEPH UNGOCO
