By Jorge Casuso

April 14, 2026 -- Santa Monica businesses impacted by crime could soon have immediate access to available City resources to help them recover and stay open.

An item placed on Tuesday's agenda by Councilmember Lana Negrete would create a centralized Business Crime Response & Recovery Portal and coordinated response system.

If approved, the City Manager would return within 15 days with an implementation plan for the system, which "provides immediate, streamlined access to all available City resources for businesses impacted by crime."

The item is "intended to simplify access, accelerate recovery, and
improve coordination, ensuring businesses can quickly connect to the resources that already exist."

"Santa Monica businesses impacted by crime are often left navigating a fragmented system -- police reporting, repair vendors, grant programs, and safety resources all exist, but are not centralized or easily accessible in moments of need," the item states.

"The result is delays in recovery, increased costs, and frustration for business owners already dealing with disruption."

Negrete has seen the problem first-hand. Her family business --the Santa Monica Music Center -- had its windows broken during several break ins and robberies.

The item “came directly from my own experience as a small business owner," she said. "I’ve had my windows broken, and like many others, I’ve had to absorb the cost because insurance doesn’t cover it.

"On top of that, the process of filing a police report, following up, and pulling security footage takes time away from actually running your business."

Negrete remembers walking into Pet Foodie LA near 17th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard shortly after her business had been broken into and hearing the familiar story.

"Less than $300 was taken from the register, but the damage, the cleanup, and the cost of replacing the window far outweighed the loss," Negrete said.

"These may seem like small incidents, but they add up, and over time they can push a business to the brink of closing."

The system would help provide businesses with "step-by-step guidance immediately following a crime" -- from information on filing a police report to applying for a recovery grant.

The portal, which could be launched at a "minimal" cost using "existing systems and programs," also provides direct access to a list of vendors that can repair glass or make general repairs, remove graffiti and provide locksmith services.

In addition, the new system would "identify businesses experiencing multiple incidents within a defined timeframe" and "provide enhanced coordination," including priority access to resources and additional safety evaluation.

"This item is about making that process easier and more responsive," Negrete said. "It’s about recognizing the real impact these incidents have and making sure our small businesses aren’t left to carry that burden alone.”