2023 Year in Review: Manhattan Beach grapples with crime, development, Bruce’s Beach, and the loss of a hero
by Mark McDermott Manhattan Beach’s great philosopher, former City Comptroller Henry Mitzner, had two sayings that are still oft repeated in City Hall, even though he retired three years ago after a 47 year career. Mitzner’s first dictum: “The most important thing is the good health of you and your loved ones, your honor, your integrity and your good name.” Mitzner’s second dictum: “When it’s bad out there, it’s good here, and when it’s good out there, it’s great here!” Mitzner’s wisdom bears remembering as we take a look at the year that was in Manhattan Beach, because locally, 2023 had plenty of challenges. Police fought a crime wave, the tensions from the war in Gaza spilled over at the middle school, a passionately opposed housing development was approved, a pack of coyotes continued to roam the streets, and the City lost a truly heroic young man, MBPD Officer Chad Swanson. Swanson’s name and heroic legacy will live on, and his loss was a tragic reminder of the important things in life. And as a community, Manhattan Beach tends to rise up to meet its challenges, and did so again this year. Bruces sell land back At the very beginning of 2023, the Bruce family agreed to sell the…
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