Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian delivered her State of the City address at Greystone Mansion and Gardens on Sept. 25, echoing the theme of unity that she has projected throughout her term as mayor.
The event, organized by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, offered networking opportunities, live music and a selection of hors d’oeuvres before the mayor’s address.
At the core of the priorities outlined by Nazarian was public safety, an issue that has been of top concern for the city and its residents. She reported that crime in the city is down by 20% and pointed to investments in state-of-the-art technology and security partnerships. Nazarian reported that there are nearly 3,000 cameras, surveillance drones, automated license plate readers and other security infrastructure in Beverly Hills, investing 52% of its total budget in public safety.
Currently, she’s working on several public safety initiatives—AI Blue Stripe, which aims to streamline the workflow for the Beverly Hills Police Department, and BHPD Live Link, which provides updates on calls for service.
In light of the January wildfires that swept through Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, Nazarian affirmed that both safety from crime and natural disasters are of utmost priority as mayor.
“The fires in January were a threat to us all. We were fortunate the fires did not enter our city limits, but it was heartbreaking to see what happened to our neighbors, to the east and to the west, who lost everything,” said Nazarian.
Nazarian stated that wildfire preparedness is a “community effort,” and that the city is excelling in its initiatives, like taking advantage of new technology and ensuring that the city’s water infrastructure is sound. She pointed to upcoming efforts such as BH Fire Watch, a technology that detects early signs of fires before they spread, and the fire department’s recently unveiled BH Wellness Network, which provides more accessible and affordable hospital transport and other services. The Beverly Hills Fire Department is also preparing its large-scale evacuation drill for the north end of the city, which is set to happen on Nov. 9.
On the topic of the city’s finances, Nazarian reported potential upcoming budget challenges due to decreased international travel, affecting how much revenue is generated from the Transient Occupancy Tax. Despite the city showing a deficit in the next two to three years, she assured that the city will never compromise on public safety and has budgeted accordingly.
She highlighted the city’s various businesses and their financial contribution to the city.
“When our businesses succeed, they generate the revenue that funds public safety, strengthens our infrastructure, and enhances our quality of life, making it a win-win for everyone,” said Nazarian. Through another one of her initiatives, Spotlight with Sharona, the mayor visits both old and new businesses across the city.
Another priority for Nazarian is accessibility through frequent community engagement events, including “Straight Talk with Sharona” town halls, “Sharona’s Innovation Circle” for young professionals and the upcoming “Sunday Socials with Sharona” for multigenerational gatherings.
Looking to the future, she discussed some upcoming opportunities and challenges for the city. The most immediate is the unveiling of the Wilshire/La Cienega station on the Metro D Line, which will also open with a public safety kiosk. Additionally, two large-scale developments, One Beverly Hills and the Saks Fifth Avenue project, are taking shape, which the mayor said will “transform our city and serve as anchors.” Though Nazarian said she would be remiss if she didn’t mention the effect builder’s remedy has on the city.
“California’s affordable housing crisis has created real challenges, not just for Beverly Hills, but for communities across the state. The state is mandating more intensive development and increasing low-income housing, often taking local control away from our cities,” said Nazarian. “Many California cities face the same loss of local control under builder’s remedy. While litigation has not been successful, I believe the best path forward is collaboration. And this is the moment that calls for strong leadership. By working with developers, we, on the City Council, can encourage adjustments that help these projects fit more harmoniously into the character and scope of our community.”
The mayor’s call for unity and collaboration reached across various parts of her address, but especially in the context of upcoming global events coming to Los Angeles—the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. Though the city isn’t hosting any games, Nazarian said the city is preparing for visitors who want to dine and stay in Beverly Hills. Nazarian, along with other mayors, is also part of the LA28 Organizing Committee.
Finally, Nazarian ended with a personal dedication, both as mayor and as an immigrant who fled religious persecution, to fight antisemitism and intolerance. She mentioned concrete steps she and the rest of City Council have taken, like hosting a panel on the diversity of the Jewish experience, planning women’s rights summits with the members of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and a permanent memorial for the victims of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.
“By coming together, we move away from the evils of hate and towards unity, understanding and a brighter future for everyone in peace. We live in the most beautiful city in the world. We are prosperous and comfortable, thanks to those who came before us, our business leaders, residents, visitors, and city staff. But we will continue to strive to be better and even more unified,” Nazarian ended.
