Oct. 13 Daily Briefing: License plate cameras approved, park plan progresses, previewing a literary event, and more

Happy Friday the 13th! Today might be extra spooky given the fact Halloween is right around the corner, but you know what’s the exact opposite of spooky? Puppies! If you want to welcome a new furry friend into your home, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is holding a Puppypalooza event all weekend. Check out the shelter’s dogs (both young and old) at this link. And, in entirely unrelated animal news that we could not pass up telling you about, meet the winner of this year’s Fat Bear Week contest, Grazer, who defeated Chunk by a vote of 108,321 to 23,134 in the finals.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder

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LEADING OFF

Addressing privacy concerns, council approves camera installation

After an hour of discussion and testimony from community members, the Palm Springs City Council voted 4-1 Thursday evening to approve the installation of 15 license plate reader cameras in the city. Mayor Grace Garner was the sole no-vote.

Driving the news: The cameras, made by Flock Safety, are to be mounted throughout the city, mainly on the entrances and exits to the city at an estimated cost of about $50,000, which will come from the Palm Springs Police Department’s technology budget.

Zoom in: The LPRs record more than just license plates, but also a vehicle’s color and other features, alerting authorities when vehicles involved in suspected crimes, or carrying suspected criminals, have entered their community.

• In areas where multiple cameras are mounted, police can track a vehicle’s movements, aiding in the location of possible suspects. 

Looking back: Councilmembers were supposed to vote on the issue at the last city council meeting on Sept. 26, but several councilmembers requested more information from Flock Safety before making a decision.

• Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Bernstein and Councilmember Christy Holstege said they met with Flock Safety and the ACLU both for about an hour each.
  
• After the conversations with Flock, city staff, and attorneys, Holstege said there were several important changes made to rules governing the cameras’ use in the city, including clarification on the use of artificial intelligence and the use of Flock data in specific enforcement.

What they’re saying: PSPD Chief Andy Mills assured councilmembers, “We will not get involved in immigration enforcement in any way. We will also not get involved in anything to do with reproductive rights or gender-affirming care. We cannot use that data to enforce any of that or give it to other people who would.”

Next steps: Holstege suggested the city council create regulations for the private use of Flock cameras by homeowner’s associations and other private entities.

• Right now, HOAs can designate one of their own members to monitor Flock cameras under their control, and they can decide whether or not to share the information with police. 

Read our complete report online here.

BRIEFLY

⛲ Park plan has unanimous council support

A plan proposed by a local graphic designer to celebrate and revitalize Sunrise Park earned the unanimous support of the Palm Springs City Council Thursday evening.

• As reported in The Post earlier this week, Tom Dolle has shown his 57-page plan to architects, historians, and others in the city, building support for a project he’s calling “Golden Sunrise.” He formally presented it to city leaders at the regular council meeting last night, calling for a citywide celebration when Sunrise Park turns 50 in 2025.
  
  
• Councilmembers praised Dolle’s efforts, as well as those of the People For Palm Springs Parks, a group formed recently to rally the community behind improving city parks. 
  
  
• “It has been quite a slog to get it to this point,” said Mayor Grace Garner, who has made revitalizing city parks one of her priorities. “It’s really nice to see groups forming and residents interested in our parks.”
  
  
• Next steps: Councilmember Lisa Middleton asked city staff to come back to the council with recommendations “so that we can establish the structure that allows us to move forward” to explore many of the ideas Dolle proposed.

🕊️ Elected officials condemn violence

An ordinance calling for the support of Israel and condemnation of Hamas for terrorist attacks that began nearly a week ago, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Bernstein and seconded by Councilmember Christy Holstege, was unanimously adopted Thursday evening by the Palm Springs City Council. 

• A vote on the ordinance followed emotional testimony from councilmembers and leaders in the local Jewish community, including Rabbi David Lazar of Or Hamidbar in Palm Springs. 
  
  
• Lazar urged community members to think of the victims in both Israel and Gaza and the pain being suffered by people locally and globally who are in shock as they witness the violence playing out.
  
  
• Bottom line: After acknowledging that a city council taking a stance on a world event may not sit well with some residents, Bernstein said, “When an act of terrorism happens, it impacts all of us as human beings.”

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

Pride on the Page
Today and Saturday | Cultural Center
The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation presents the second annual Pride on the Page Book Festival this weekend. Most of the events are on Saturday, but there is a ticketed event featuring Armistead Maupin tonight.

Steel Magnolias
Today through Sunday | Palm Canyon Theatre
The classic show hits the stage in Downtown Palm Springs, finishing its run this weekend. ($17-$32)

TODAY

Lisa Teasley Book Signing
4 p.m. | The Best Bookstore
Lisa Teasley will be reading from and signing copies of her latest book, “Fluid: Stories.” Lisa will be joined in conversation by Corey Roskin.

Movie Night in the Park: “Hocus Pocus 2”
6 p.m. | Sunrise Park
Join your neighbors for a free screening of the sequel to the cult classic “Hocus Pocus.”

SATURDAY

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
The market returns to its outdoor location, with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agri­cul­tural and related products.

Christian Cooper with Lorenzo Taylor
10 a.m. | Cultural Center
Cooper, a Central Park birdwatcher, television host, and science editor, will discuss his book, “Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World.”

Floating Pumpkin Patch
1 p.m. | Palm Springs Swim Center
This uniquely Palm Springs event is exactly what it sounds like: pumpkins floating in a pool. Locals are invited to take a dip, paint some pumpkins, participate in a contest and more. 

Battle in the Desert
5 p.m. | Cathedral City Community Amphitheater
Enjoy a night of amateur boxing featuring local police, firefighters, and more. ($40)

Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game
6 p.m. | Big League Dreams in Cathedral City
The Palm Springs fire and police departments take the field this weekend in the annual event honoring Lesley Zerebny, a fallen PSPD officer.

SUNDAY

Broadway Boozy Brunch
11 a.m. | Bouschet and PS Air Bar
The latest “in-flight” experience offers a brunch menu and live entertainment with recognizable music from Broadway. ($75)

Alohana: A Celebration of Tiki Culture
12 p.m. | Camelot Theatres
This extensive Tiki marketplace features more than 40 artisan shops selling new and vintage wares all while enjoying tropical cocktails and the live music from the Hawaiian band Slack-Key ‘Ohana

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs State of the City and Awards Ceremony on Tues., Oct. 17 ($80 for pre-party admission)
  
  
• Modernism Week October from Oct. 19-22.
  
  
• Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge on Oct. 21
  
  
• Coachella Valley Garden Day on Oct. 21 at UCR Palm Desert.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs in the Arenas District on Oct. 29.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 4 ($40 registration through Nov. 1)

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AND FINALLY …

This weekend, we’d like to suggest you consider attending a free festival offering lively discussions and book signings, and also a paid event featuring celebrated gay author Armistead Maupin (pictured above).

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Public Library Foundation is presenting its second annual Pride on the Page book festival this weekend at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. 

• The weekend kicks off this evening with a fundraising event featuring Maupin in conversation with David Eugene Perry. That starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $65 and are available here.
  
  
• On tap starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday is a celebration of LGBTQ+ writers and books through panel discussions and book signings featuring multiple authors. 

Why it matters: Organizers hope attendees are exposed to new ideas and viewpoints throughout the 10 different panels attended by more than 35 authors. The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs will have many titles available for purchase.

Details: A complete list of panel discussions and authors can be found here. The Cultural Center is located at 2300 East Baristo Road, between South Sunrise Way and South Farrell Drive.

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