Nov. 3, 2025 7 AM PT
To the editor: Perhaps we should always flip to that outdated nickname of “The People’s Republic of Santa Monica” as a clue for why vacationers will not be coming and firms will not be discovering it a pleasant place to do enterprise (“Struggling Santa Monica’s recovery plan: More cops downtown, luring back lost business,” Oct. 28). I simply received again from Dubai and noticed what a business-friendly surroundings can do to an financial system. Attempt to get something performed in Santa Monica, in the meantime, and you’re going to get trapped in a morass of forms. Plus, the prospect of going to downtown Santa Monica and being harassed by the homeless isn’t a sexy one for vacationers.
Discovering out why Santa Monica known as “The Individuals’s Republic” and addressing these points head-on could be an excellent begin in rebuilding the picture. Extra police and occasions on the Third Road Promenade will not be solutions; they’re Band-Aids.
Steven Pokress, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Putting in new parking meters in entrance of companies, elevating the charges and making entry extra restrictive shouldn’t be the way in which to spice up the town financial system.
It simply harms retailers and angers buyers.
Kathy Horbund, Venice
