Newsletter
Letters on Leadership: Rising to the Occasion for Newport Beach
We expect that every Fourth of July will draw visitors to our beaches. But this year, if you were on the Newport Beach Peninsula, you may have seen something unexpected: our Police Chief standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his officers on the front lines. Chief Miner wasn’t in a command post or behind a desk—he was in the streets, managing tense moments, and supporting his team as they worked tirelessly to tame the crowds. This is what real leadership looks like.
August 1, 2025
And speaking of leadership, I am very excited to announce the appointment of our next City Manager, Seimone Jurjis! Seimone has worked for the City since 2011 in a number of roles, most recently wearing multiple hats as both Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director. I have worked closely with Seimone for the last eight years, dating back to my time on the City’s Planning Commission. He is highly competent, esteemed by the community, and a confident manager who empowers others to be decisive in their roles. Please join me in congratulating Seimone!
Excellence Under Pressure
While residents and visitors enjoyed all that Newport has to offer over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Newport Beach Fire Department Lifeguards executed a high-pressure operation that put training, teamwork, and tenacity to the test. The surf was up, the sand was packed, and the stakes were high. From July 4 through July 6, with 285,000 visitors swarming the coastline, NBFD lifeguards and firefighters managed a staggering 650 ocean rescues, 6,964 preventative actions, and 71 medical aids—all in just 72 hours.
People often only see the rescues, but it’s the thousands of quiet, preventative moments that save the most lives. From rip current warnings and crowd management to providing medical aid, the NBFD Lifeguards operated with calm under pressure, keeping Newport’s beaches safe for locals and tourists alike.
And, while lifeguards dominated the coastline, NBFD Fire Operations covered the rest of the City, responding to 183 emergency calls, including 15 fires and 124 medical calls, representing a 14% increase over 2023. Behind the scenes, NBFD’s Fire Prevention Division ensured that all three professional firework shows went off without a hitch or a hazard. Their proactive oversight meant zero fireworks-related injuries or incidents, a result made possible through proper planning, inspection, and coordination.
As the sun sets on another summer milestone, one thing is clear: when the tide rises, Newport’s finest rise higher.
3rd Thursdays Will be Back - Bigger and Better - In October!
July’s Coastal Country 3rd Thursday was barrels of fun! If you missed it, don’t worry, you can plan to come out for the next one: a festive fall Halloween spooktacular, on October 16.
Safety Spotlight: Kimmy Morrison
Kimmy Morrison has been a seasonal ocean lifeguard for the City of Newport Beach since 2007, and is currently on specialty assignment in the Fire Administration and Emergency Medical Services Division. She grew up hearing stories from her grandfather, who was also a Newport Beach lifeguard. She finds that teamwork and helping the public stay safe make every day fulfilling, and shares that she has made friendships in the department that will last a lifetime – including her husband, who works as a dispatcher in the Lifeguard Headquarters Division! Kimmy just completed her Bachelor of Science degree and received her Registered Nurse license, which she hopes to put to use as an emergency room nurse. Somehow, she and her husband find time to camp, cook, and spend more time in the ocean, even when they are not lifeguarding.
Safety Spotlight: Aaron Sandoval
Officer Aaron Sandoval has been with the Newport Beach Police Department for four years but is no stranger to service or working in high-pressure environments. He joined law enforcement because he wanted to channel his drive for solving problems and helping people into a role that demands action, much like his time in the Marine Corps. He says his career with NBPD allows him to carry the same sense of loyalty and collective strength into protecting communities and making a real difference. He is passionate about his role as a Homeless Liaison Officer because it lets him actively enhance the community’s quality of life, which he believes everyone in Newport deserves. He finds deep satisfaction in linking individuals with vital resources like housing, healthcare, or recovery support; “It’s hands-on work that goes beyond enforcement, focusing on real solutions for those ready to accept help, and that impact makes every challenging moment worthwhile.”
I am personally grateful for his commitment to our city, as Officer Sandoval also consistently accepts the CdM directed enforcement overtime shifts, which have resulted in tangible change.
