September 20 Daily Briefing: Success for roadway safety operation, plans for grant money, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we hope to quell your fears if you were alarmed by an alert from police yesterday. Law enforcement officials informed the community via text, email, and social media that the city will host a large group of motorcyclists this weekend and that they will deploy extra resources, including a helicopter, for safety. The motorcyclists are members of The Mongols, a club headquartered in Southern California that often books an entire hotel for their events, and have been visiting the city yearly for over a decade without any reported incidents. Consider this our reminder to share the road with motorcycles, not just this weekend but always.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Let There Be Love” by Nat King Cole and George Shearing

LEADING OFF

How $1.3 million in grants for sustainability projects will be spent

Palm Springs is set to launch several sustainability initiatives after receiving more than $1.3 million in grants. The projects focus on street safety, heat mitigation, and food waste reduction.

Driving the news: The city’s Sustainability Commission received updates on three recently awarded grants during its Tuesday meeting.

By the numbers: The grants include $770,000 for street safety, $450,000 for a heat and shade study, and $120,000 for food waste reduction.

• The largest grant is from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and will fund updates to city planning documents with a focus on safety and sustainability.

Why it matters: These projects aim to address critical issues in Palm Springs, including traffic safety, extreme heat, and food waste.

• Palm Springs has a high ratio of traffic injuries for a city of its size, according to Sustainability Director Lindsey-Paige McCloy.

What they’re saying: “We really need to kind of be thoughtful about how we make recommendations and pursue projects for our transportation system with heat in mind,” McCloy toldcommissioners.

What’s next: Implementation timelines vary for the projects.

• The heat and shade study is expected to begin in November and take about 18 months, while the Safe Streets for All work is anticipated to start in early 2025.

Yes, but: McCloy also spoke about pursuing an EPA Climate Change grant, but said the city is leaning away from it due to low chances of receiving it as a California city. She noted that other regional projects may be more competitive for that funding.

Dive deeper with our complete coverage

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BRIEFLY

🚔 Police operation credited with cutting collisions

Operation Rearview Mirror (ORM), a safety initiative by the Palm Springs Police Department, has significantly reduced collisions while increasing citations and warnings, the department reported Thursday. 

• During the three-month period between June 18 and Sept. 17, police data shows a 34% decrease in overall reported collisions and a 25% reduction in injury collisions compared to the same time period last year.
  
  
• Citations increased by 94%, rising from 1,010 in 2023 to 1,967 this year. Warning citations saw a dramatic 308% increase, jumping from 214 to 873.
  
  
• Bottom line: “Thanks to these efforts, we’ve seen a significant drop in collisions, with fewer accidents and injuries compared to last year,” police wrote in a social media post. “The traffic team has noticed fewer violations and responded to fewer collisions since the start of ORM.”

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ Film Festival at Palm Springs Cultural Center ($14.50)
  
  
• Healthy Desert, Healthy You Summit today and Saturday at the Westin Rancho Mirage (Free)
  
  
• “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at Palm Canyon Theatre ($17-$38)

TODAY

• “Before The Bell” student performance at CVRep at 10 a.m. (Free)
  
  
• World Peace Day Project at Demuth Community Center at 5:30 p.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs vs Yucaipa high school football at 7 p.m. at Ralph Watt Stadium ($7-$10)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($15)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch PS at 7:30 p.m. ($5)

SATURDAY

• Tahquitz Creek Cleanup at the foot bridge at 7 a.m.
  
  
• Indoor Certified Farmers Market from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
  
• National POW/MIA Recognition Night from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Palm Springs Air Museum ($20-$30)

SUNDAY

• Fire Boots, Brews, and Chews at Fire Station 2 in Cathedral City from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
  
  
• Sunday T-Dance at Oscar’s from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. (First hour free, then  $10)

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AND FINALLY …

The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is happening Saturday. But before then, the community is invited to participate in a special event.

Driving the news: The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting an event at Demuth Community Center starting at 5:30 p.m. this evening. Organizers said those who attend will help create an activity for the center the represents “unity, creativity, and fun.”

• The center is located at 3601 East Mesquite Ave.

Zoom in: The day is observed every year on Sept. 21. Sanctioned by the United Nations, it emphasizes the importance of peace, aiming to halt war and violence to allow humanitarian aid access in conflict zones. 

Looking back: Established in 1981 and first celebrated in 1982, the day is recognized worldwide by nations, political and military groups, and individuals seeking to promote peace.