The Culver City Council has a Special City Council meeting scheduled for this evening, Dec. 21, 2022, with a revised agenda including a second item. In addition to discussing a “potential anti-camping ordinance,” the council will also address the appointment of an Interim Chief of Police.
The community has organized a march to protest the anti-camping ordinance, starting in front of Culver Studios at 9336 Washington Blvd. at 4:30 pm and walking to City Hall, where the meeting will be begin at 5:30 pm.
The meeting was scheduled after the council business had already formally closed for the year, and will be missing Vice Mayor Yasmine Imani McMorrin, who is out of town.
McMorrin commented online “I am appalled to see a special meeting placed on the agenda during a holiday break. It would be one thing if the meeting was to approve a safe camping/safe parking site, or to streamline approval for affordable housing in Culver City – something that would help our unhoused families, children, veterans, victims of domestic violence, and other community members before the holidays. But the solution that is at hand is to remove our most marginalized neighbors simply so they are out of sight, and criminalize those who have no other place to go.”
There has been no announcement from the Culver City Police Department in regard to a leave or a departure from Chief Manuel Cid, but adding this item to the agenda indicates that Chief Cid will be stepping down.
Cid, who has served as the department head since Scott Bixby’s departure in July of 2020 for health reasons, has overseen many departmental changes. He’s been credited with much of the success of new policies, and has enjoyed broad support though the community. The details of the change in administration will be part of the council discussion tonight.
Judith Martin-Straw
