Santa Monica establishes Restorative Justice Commission
May 20, 2026 7:53 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 19, 2026) — The Santa Monica City Council voted to establish a new Restorative Justice Commission, another step forward in the city’s new Restorative Justice Program, one of the largest locally funded restorative justice initiatives of its kind.
The City Council approved a framework for the program, along with a $3.5 million dedicated Restorative Justice Fund, in January. Pending a final vote of the City Council to create the commission on May 26, applications for the seven-member commission are set to open by the end of May.
“Santa Monica is making history. We are launching the city’s first-ever Restorative Justice Commission to direct $3.5 million, and up to $5.5 million, toward repairing harms perpetuated by our own city,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “This is government moving from words to action, creating real and meaningful opportunities for repair, with community members who lived that history leading the way.”
Commission members will be appointed by the City Council and must be a Santa Monica resident. Each appointee should have subject matter expertise relevant to restorative justice or have lived experience representing communities impacted by past and present inequities.
This Restorative Justice Commission will be charged with developing program criteria, eligibility standards, and oversight mechanisms for the city’s broader Restorative Justice Program.
To learn more and to apply, visit smgov.net/departments/clerk/boards.
Media Contact
Lauren Howland
Communications and public information manager
lauren.howland@santamonica.gov
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