City approves money for officer, firefighter mental health program
The Redondo Beach city council Tuesday night, Dec. 3, approved an expenditure of no more than $75,600 next year for Sharp Performance, Inc., a cognitive coaching platform for high-risk professions such as police and fire departments.
It is the only commercially-available program of its kind, consisting of preventative coaching and reactive resources.
The idea was brought to the attention of local agencies by city councilmember Paige Kaluderovic.
The Sharp platform is based on practices developed with U.S. Military Special Operations teams, adapted for the specific experiences of first responders. Protocols emphasize stress endurance, focus and psychological flexibility. Sharp. Inc. coaches have led wellness and resilience programs for the U.S. Army Special Forces.
Fire chief Patrick Butler conducted trials (with RBFD and RBPD) personnel earlier this year.
“I thought it was too good to be true when we first heard of it,” Butler said. “It was pretty spectacular.”
The program also includes a centralized resource directory of both internal and external support services.
Muratsuchi bill would protect undocumented
kids from president-elect’s statements
State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) has introduced a bill in response to President-Elect Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign talk of mass deportations.
Muratsuchi, chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, presented the bill Dec. 3, to ban school or childcare employees from allowing ICE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – officers to enter a site for any purpose without proper identification, a written statement of purpose, judicial warrant and approval from the childcare center’s director, or superintendent of the applicable school district.
The bill would also make it so, if an ICE official meets the requirements, they would be permitted only to visit areas where students or children are not present.
“All children have a constitutional right to attend public schools, regardless of immigration status,” Muratsuchi said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the threat of federal immigration officials coming onto school grounds to detain undocumented students or family members casts a shadow of fear over all California students. Students cannot learn if they are living in fear of being deported or separated from their family members. This bill is necessary because children should not be afraid to come to school, and parents should not be afraid to send their children to school.”
Muratsuchi represents California’s 66th District – from El Segundo south to San Pedro and east to Gardena, Torrance and Lomita.
King Harbor boat parade
next Saturday
The annual King Harbor boat parade is Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m.
The Christmas-themed event features boats of all kinds decorated in lights.
Public viewing stands and food trucks will be set up off of Marina Way. Moonstone Park and the Portofino Hotel are also noted viewing spots. ER
