Dear Mr. Murphy,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing for the fourth time this week to express my deep and growing concern regarding the incident that occurred at the Belle Haven Community Campus on July 30, 2025. While many seniors believed the situation was part of an emergency drill, we have since learned it was, in fact, a real emergency caused by a repair issue within the building.
This miscommunication placed vulnerable individuals—including seniors and children—at serious risk. What happened was not a drill; it was a real threat to public safety, and it revealed serious shortcomings in the City’s emergency preparedness. Residents were neither properly notified nor evacuated, and many were left confused or unaware of the danger. This is unacceptable in a facility that primarily serves elderly and mobility-limited residents.
Adding to the concern is the fact that the Belle Haven Community Campus is barely a year old, yet it has already required frequent repairs—almost monthly. This pattern suggests poor planning, design, or oversight, and raises serious questions about the building’s long-term safety and suitability for the community it serves.
Despite repeated reassurances from Deputy City Manager Nicole "Nikki" Nagaya that the City prioritizes safety and resiliency, the events of July 30 tell a different story. Words and intentions must be matched by action, and right now, we are witnessing a troubling lack of urgency, transparency, and preparedness. We have submitted two petitions highlighting ongoing safety concerns—including repeated incidents where seniors have tripped over ground-level electrical outlets—yet City staff and Council have not responded with the seriousness these concerns deserve.
This continued inattention—despite our petitions, emails, and community outreach—raises painful questions. Is the lack of response due to the racial or economic makeup of this community? Is it due to incompetence? We do not claim to know the answer, but the outcome is clear: our community is being put at risk, and we cannot remain silent.
The residents of Belle Haven are not statistics—they are our parents, grandparents, children, neighbors, and friends. We will continue advocating on their behalf until meaningful, concrete steps are taken to make this facility truly safe and secure for all.
We urge you to treat this matter with the seriousness it demands, and to respond with action, not just words.
Sincerely,
Eduardo
