Damien Newton
327 POSTS
Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.
Streetsblog Legislative Update: May 2026
It feels like year since our last legislative update, but there’s been a lot of hearings, movement, amendments, and more that happened in the...
The Election Season Is Underway in Santa Monica
The race for three seats on the Santa Monica City Council is quickly coming into focus, with a growing field of candidates entering ahead...
Santa Monica Kicks Off Bike Month By Starting Automated Bike Lane Enforcement
The city of Santa Monica will begin automated enforcement of vehicles parked illegally in bike lanes on May 1, marking a first-in-California effort to use camera...
City Council Race Begins to Take Shape: Torosis, Negrete, Eli Gill, and Brett Morrow Are In
It may still be a few months until candidates can “pull papers” and officially begin their campaigns for City Council, but the past week...
Santa Monica Bets on Surveillance Tech with New “SMART” Crime Center
The Santa Monica Police Department has officially launched a new high-tech policing hub, the Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time Center (SMART Center), backed by more...
Latest
OPA Update 6/22/26: OPA Membership Drive, Beach Clean-Up this Weekend, & Things To Do This Week
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the...
Kool Happenings: Weak Tea, and A Hotbed of Cold Feet
Weak TeaI don't often find myself asking AI about...
Pacific Wheel Illuminates Juneteenth with Special Tribute Light Display on June 19
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier will commemorate...
OPA Update 6/18/26: Main St. Summer Soulstice & Make Music LA Events This Weekend, & Other Things To Do This Weekend
June 20 & 21 Main St. Summer Soulstice & Make...

