Volunteers gather in Downtown Santa Monica to help clean up debris
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) is working to keep residents and businesses safe while providing support to help the community recover from the ongoing economic challenges faced as a result of COVID-19 and the vandalism and looting incidents that took place on Sunday, May 31.
"What happened to our community yesterday was truly devastating. The peaceful protests taking place were overshadowed as our home was taken over by destruction and civil disobedience," said DTSM, Inc. CEO Kathleen Rawson. "Together with our residents, businesses and property owners, we have created one of the most beautiful, lively and welcoming downtowns in the world. And in that same spirit of collaboration, we will recover and rebuild our neighborhood. We are in this together, we are Santa Monica."
This morning, DTSM Inc. staff and ambassadors joined the city cleaning crews and community members to help begin sweeping up debris and removing graffiti. Hundreds of Santa Monica community members came together with brooms and trash bags in hand to help businesses start the road to recovery.
DTSM Inc. recognizes this will be an ongoing effort to rebuild from the impacts of this weekend's events and is working closely with business owners to assess the damage and take necessary precautions to secure downtown businesses.
For safety purposes, a citywide curfew is in effect today as of 1:30 p.m. Big Blue Bus service has also been suspended as of 12 p.m. today with service expected to resume on June 2.
For developing updates, follow the City of Santa Monica on Twitter at @santamonicacity, Facebook and Instagram at @CityofSantaMonica or sign up for Santa Monica emergency alerts at santamonica.gov/alerts or text SMCOVID to 888-777.
