Mayor

Public Safety

Increased Staffing and Improved Hiring Process

New Police Academy
The City launched a new, modernized police academy focused on advanced training methods, de-escalation techniques, community engagement, and 21st-century policing practices. The academy has streamlined recruitment and training timelines to get more officers on the streets faster while maintaining high standards.

Fire: Peak Load Staffing
Long Beach Fire Department has expanded peak load staffing to increase coverage during high-demand periods, improving emergency response times and ensuring adequate resources during seasonal surges and large-scale incidents.

Doubling Fire Academy Sizes and Increasing Pacing of Police Academy
The City of Long Beach has doubled the size of fire academy classes to address staffing shortages and meet the growing service demands of the community. Simultaneously, police academy classes now run more frequently, reducing gaps in officer availability and accelerating deployment to neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Safety Bike Teams
The Police Department expanded Neighborhood Safety Bike Teams citywide, enhancing visibility and building relationships with residents and businesses. These teams provide proactive patrols in high-traffic areas, parks, and business corridors, focusing on crime prevention and rapid response.

Roadmap to Downtown Recovery Initiative

Mayor Rex Richardson launched the Roadmap to Downtown Recovery in 2024, a signature initiative of his administration to strengthen public safety, economic vitality, and quality of life in the Downtown core. The plan includes:

• Expanded foot patrols and Neighborhood Safety Bike Teams to deter crime and improve community trust.
• Targeted outreach and resolution of homeless encampments, with coordinated services to connect individuals to shelter and care.
• Enhanced mental health crisis response teams to address non-violent calls involving behavioral health issues.
• Increased investments in small business support, storefront improvements, affordable housing, and public infrastructure such as lighting and streetscape upgrades.
• This comprehensive approach aligns public safety efforts with economic development and urban revitalization goals, ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming Downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors.