Jan. 14 Daily Briefing: Playground opening, ‘disingenuous’ opposition, police crime center, and more

Happy Warm Wednesday. If you joined us after Mark’s appearance on The Roggin Report last night, we’re glad you’re here. As Fred mentioned, we’re into “accountability journalism” — believing someone has to be present when decisions are made, even the boring ones, to hold officials to account. For more about why we focus on municipal affairs, see our About page. Thanks for joining us!  

🎶 Setting the mood: “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs police outline details of AI crime center with civil liberty safeguards

Palm Springs Police Department officials detailed their new Coachella Valley Real Time Intelligence Center to the city’s Human Rights Commission on Monday. The system uses drones, license plate readers, and artificial intelligence to fight crime while including extensive civil liberty protections.

Driving the news: Police Chief Andy Mills told commissioners the department implemented specific protections requested by councilmembers including Grace Garner and then-councilmember Christy Holstege when the program went to the City Council.

• “We want to make sure we do it correctly, and we want to put the protections in place to ensure that as we move forward, that something that our community can be proud of,” Mills said.

How it works: The center, operational since early December, brings together law enforcement databases, citywide cameras, license plate readers, and drones to provide immediate information to officers in the field.

• Lt. William Hutchinson said the automated license plate reader technology recently helped solve an Indio homicide and respond to a Cathedral City bomb threat.

Privacy protections: The system does not use facial recognition technology, which is illegal on drones in California. When drones fly to calls for service, cameras point at the horizon rather than at streets or backyards.

• The department conducts monthly audits and requires users to document their reason and case number before accessing data, creating an audit trail.

By the numbers: The department’s transparency portal shows 215 cameras throughout the city detected 457,440 vehicles in the last 30 days.

What’s next: Cathedral City already partners with the center, while Desert Hot Springs and Indio plan to join the regional approach.

Dive deeper with Kendall Balchan’s complete story

BRIEFLY

🏨 Opposition to remodel called out as ‘disingenuous’ as expansion of blighted property approved

• The Palm Springs Planning Commission on Tuesday approved plans to remodel and rebrand the former Days Inn on North Palm Canyon Drive, allowing the property owner to expand the hotel from 107 to 179 rooms and construct a new two-story building.
  
• The commission received about 70 written public comments opposing the project’s CEQA exemption, raising concerns about noise, traffic, and dust impacts. Planning Director Chris Hadwin said city staff found the project met all criteria for the exemption, noting the site’s use as a resort hotel is close to its previous use as a Days Inn motel.
  
• Bottom line: Vice Chair Lauri Aylaian called the last-minute letters “disingenuous” and urged residents concerned about the environment or traffic to get involved with the city’s Sustainability Commission or Active Transportation rather than oppose “a project that is removing blight” from the neighborhood.

Dive deeper with Erin Rode’s complete story

🏛️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

• The Palm Springs City Council will consider major funding commitments for two affordable housing projects when it meets at 5:30 p.m. this evening, including a proposed $3.8 million loan for an 82-unit development on West San Rafael Drive and $2.25 million to assist with land acquisition for a 115-unit affordable housing project at McCarthy Road and San Rafael Drive.
  
• Councilmembers will also hear an appeal related to the 82-unit project and decide whether to uphold the Planning Commission’s prior approval. The agenda (view it here) also includes routine Consent Agenda items such as contract amendments, infrastructure-related appropriations, and second readings of previously introduced ordinances.
  
• Details: Residents may attend in-person, view the meeting live online on the city’s YouTube channel or at palmspringsca.gov — or watch on Community Television Channel 17. Comments can be submitted online at this website.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Flourish: An Edible Garden Workshop Series
9 a.m. | Prescott Preserve
Join us for Flourish, a 6-week, edible garden workshop series designed to connect people, purpose, and place. The series blends the core principles of the Blue Zones Power 9 — natural movement, eating wisely, and creating a sense of belonging.

Heart of the City Walking Tour 
9:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Historical Society
Explore the dynamic past and vibrant present of this world-famous desert getaway while strolling the Walk of Stars. Learn how Hollywood stars, part of our local scene, made Palm Springs their playground. ($40)

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a FREE library program; you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend.

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The city council meets this evening in a closed and open session. Check out the agenda here. 

Cherstruck
7 p.m. | PS Underground
Join us in celebrating the remarkable and legendary life of Cher through an enchanting musical and culinary experience. ($170)

The Gand Band: Elvis Birthday Celebration
8:30 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
The Gand Band ignites 2026 with a thrilling birthday tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll — celebrating Elvis Presley with all the electrifying energy, style, and musical fire that made him a legend. ($22)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Parks Listening Session, hosted by Palm Springs Parks Foundation, Friday at 8 a.m. at Hilton Palm Springs
  
• American Legion Youth Baseball Fundraiser with Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms on Saturday
  
• Virtual San Rafael Apartments Community Meeting on Zoom on Jan. 20
  
• The Gand Band Jeanie Cunningham Star Fundraiser on Jan. 22
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival on Jan. 24
  
• “Car Show Car Show” at Market Market on Jan. 25
  
• Palm Springs Speaks with Cheech Marin on Feb. 10
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Feb. 19-22

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs officials celebrated the opening of the city’s largest and most inclusive playground Tuesday at Ruth Hardy Park, a $1.5 million project that can accommodate 358 children at once and features the only shaded “super tower” of its kind in the United States.

Driving the news: The fully ADA-compliant playground marks the city’s fourth such installation in just two years, funded through Parks capital improvements and Measure J revenue as part of Palm Springs’ ongoing commitment to accessible recreation spaces.

What makes it special: The playground is designed for children of all abilities to play together, with full shade coverage throughout and enough space to avoid feeling crowded even during packed weekend mornings when families gather in large numbers.

• According to Councilmember Ron deHarte, whose district includes the park, the shaded super tower is one-of-a-kind in the country.

Why it matters: City officials say the investment goes beyond equipment and fresh paint, reflecting Palm Springs’ values around creating safe, welcoming spaces that encourage physical activity, social interaction, and community connections across the entire park.

The response: City Manager Scott Stiles reports seeing “tons of kids” at the playground daily since opening, while Mayor Naomi Soto observed the transformation extends throughout the facility.

What they’re saying: “We’re making some core memories here for the parents,” Soto said at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “You know core memory when you see it, when you feel it, and those are happening all the time here at Ruth Hardy Park.”

• Parks and Recreation Director Nick Gonzalez added that the playground is “a place where kids can grow, build confidence, connect with others and make new friends.“