Checkpoints & Passes to Remain, Says Mayor

Mayor Karen Bass confirmed in a May 22 virtual town hall that existing checkpoints and passes will remain in place upon Pacific Coast Highway’s reopening for Memorial Day weekend.

The existing checkpoints include West Channel/Chautauqua, Sunset/Chautauqua, Sunset/Brooktree, and Sunset/Amalfi, but the checkpoints will be located exclusively on city streets, not on PCH. They will be operated by Los Angeles Police Department personnel with support from some private security companies, according to the mayor. In addition, 11 new checkpoints will be added.

LAPD representatives confirmed that existing passes will continue to be valid at checkpoints. Those seeking additional passes may continue to do so through May 30 at the City’s Disaster Recovery Center at 10850 Pico Boulevard in the UCLA Research building. After that date, the location for obtaining passes will change.

The panelists did not address the submitted question of what steps might be taken to reduce checkpoint-driven traffic backups into Santa Monica Canyon, or to mitigate damaging impacts on Canyon businesses and Canyon School. The Canyon Alliance will pursue this question with the staff of Councilwoman Traci Park.