A Police Substation on the Peninsula
I would explore establishing a police substation on the Peninsula to strengthen our public-safety presence and support faster, more coordinated responses.
The visible presence of a substation could itself serve as a deterrent to people who treat our community like a social-media backdrop instead of a neighborhood where families live, work, and raise their children.
A Comprehensive E-Bike Safety Initiative
E-bike safety cannot be addressed through occasional enforcement or a single school presentation. It requires a coordinated, citywide public-health and public-safety campaign.
I would bring together parents, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the Newport Beach Police Department, healthcare providers, local businesses, and community organizations to deliver one clear and consistent message.
The initiative would begin by engaging Hoag, CHOC, local pediatricians, and other healthcare providers. E-bike education should become part of routine conversations with children and parents, including helmet use, speed limits, responsible riding, and the very real risks of traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and death.
We would work with Newport-Mesa Unified School District to provide consistent, age-appropriate safety education across Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators should receive the same information and understand the same expectations.
We should also use available traffic data and lawful, privacy-conscious technology to identify areas with significant e-bike activity and repeated safety concerns. That information could help the city strategically deploy officers on motorcycles and bicycles, particularly during school arrival and dismissal times.
The goal is not simply to issue citations. It is to create visible enforcement, meaningful teachable moments, and a culture of responsible riding.
Parents must also be part of the solution. Education and re-education should happen at every available opportunity. Local e-bike retailers could be encouraged to offer safety courses for children and parents at the time of purchase. We should also explore technology that allows parents to set appropriate speed limits or geofenced riding restrictions.
E-bike safety must be treated as a serious public-health issue. Just as consistent education changed public behavior around seat belts and other preventable injuries, repeated education and responsible enforcement can help protect our children.
Strengthening Our Police Force
Over the next four years, I want Newport Beach to responsibly increase its police staffing and prepare for the demands ahead.
Southern California will host major international events, including the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have already seen how large events, social media, and rapidly organized gatherings can drive sudden crowd surges.
Technology and social media have become force multipliers for street takeovers, disruptive gatherings, and other activity that can overwhelm local resources with very little warning.
Newport Beach must be prepared.
That means fully staffing our Police Department, strengthening intelligence gathering before major holidays and events, and ensuring our officers receive the specialized training they need.
It also means preparing for mutual-aid requests. Newport Beach may need help from neighboring agencies, but our officers may also be called to assist other cities during major regional events. When that happens, we must have enough personnel to provide assistance without leaving our own neighborhoods vulnerable.
I would also explore partnerships with qualified third-party agencies to provide additional training in crowd management, emergency coordination, and large-scale event response. Preparation is not about creating fear. It is about accepting what we can already see coming and making sure Newport Beach is ready.