Malibu is Prepared for Holiday Crowding on PCH, Canyons, Beaches and Trails Over Memorial Day Weekend nd Asks Visitors to Be Mindful of the Community’s Peace, Safety and Environment
With Memorial Day weekend approaching and Malibu’s beaches and trails already seeing increasing numbers of visitors, the City of Malibu is undertaking seasonal measures and coordinating with partner agencies to protect public safety on PCH and canyon roads, beaches and trails.
The City is coordinating with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, California State Parks, Mountains and Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to prepare for holiday and summer crowds.
“Let’s all help keep Malibu safe over Memorial Day weekend” said Mayor Paul Grisanti. “Please be mindful of our community’s peace, safety and environment: pack out all your trash; do not engage in dangerous or excessively loud driving behavior; and watch for pedestrians crossing PCH, cyclists, and motorists pulling in and out of beach parking.”
The City regularly funds a Sheriff’s Department Beach Team from Memorial Day to Labor Day to assist with enforcement on the beaches. However, this year, the City requested the Beach Team to start working on weekends beginning May 1 in anticipation of early crowding at the beach due to loosening of COVID restrictions. The beach patrols are an important way to address alcohol consumption on the beaches, which is illegal, and thereby reduce drunk driving on PCH and canyon roads on busy beach days.
The MRCA plans to double patrols in its parks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. State Parks will have seven-day coverage and will also be monitoring and addressing litter. Beaches and Harbors increased staffing starting in mid-May to assist with parking, maintenance, and trash. CHP will continue to implement its Street Racing Task Force and will have two CHP units assisting with traffic control on PCH.
For the Memorial Day weekend, the City requested additional patrols by the Sheriff’s Department and the Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs).
Although the City does not control access to the state and county beaches in Malibu, the City wants to reassure the Malibu community that it is working with its partner agencies on messaging to visitors to Malibu about the importance of keeping PCH, canyon roads and beaches safe and clean for all.
Residents can request assistance from CHP with street racing by calling 323-259-3200. Report drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1. Residents may sign up for the City’s emergency and traffic alerts at www.MalibuCity.org/News (scroll down to “Alert Center”).