TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Rachel Jonson, Chief of Police
Christian Eichenlaub, Police Captain
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of an Update on Coyote Activity and Management Efforts (No Budget Impact) (Chief of Police Johnson).
RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend the City Council receive and file this report.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
Since the adoption of the City’s Coyote Management Policy on November 21, 2023, the City of Manhattan Beach has prioritized community education and engagement through an ongoing awareness campaign that encourages residents to report coyote sightings and activity. The data presented in this update includes reported sightings, unconfirmed predations (reported incidents without corroborating evidence), and confirmed predations (incidents where evidence of predation exists). For purposes of this report, “predation” refers to incidents in which a coyote consumes the carcass of a deceased animal.
DISCUSSION:
This section provides an overview of reported coyote activity in Manhattan Beach, along with a summary of the City’s ongoing outreach, enforcement, and interagency coordination efforts. From March 2024 to March 2025, there were four confirmed predations, 22 unconfirmed predations, and 106 sightings. From March 2025 to March 2026, there were eight confirmed predations, 26 unconfirmed predations, and 171 sightings. While reported activity has increased, this trend is due in part to enhanced community awareness and reporting encouraged through MBPD’s outreach initiatives. Note that sightings increase during the breeding season.
Community Engagement
• Animal Control has inspected different areas of the City and has addressed locations with significant overgrowth to deter coyotes from creating dens within which to reside.
• Our Community Services Officers have monitored coyote behavior and tested their response to hazing. The animals display appropriate fear of humans and retreat when hazed. No concerning behavior has been observed.
• Animal Control has worked in collaboration with Code Enforcement to conduct enforcement when necessary.
• Animal Control has coordinated with property owners to emphasize the importance of reducing overgrowth and removing potential attractants. Zoom meetings were held with Homeowner Associations to discuss concerns and recommendations.
• As part of the MBPD’s coyote campaign efforts, Animal Control officers have engaged with residents during routine patrols and provided coyote education, hazing techniques and safety information while encouraging the public to notify the MBPD of any coyote activity through the GoReach portal or by calling the non-emergency police dispatch phone number.
• Animal Control Officers have provided ongoing coyote hazing education at Police Department Town Hall meetings, neighborhood meetings, and at the Community Police Academy.
• No dens have been located within City limits; however, some coyote hiding spots and migration routes of travel have been identified that are within City limits.
• It is typical for MBPD to receive an increase in calls for service whenever the media reports any incident involving coyotes.
Operational Response
• Police Officers and Community Services Officers have increased patrols during the hours of dusk and dawn.
Interagency Collaboration
• MBPD participates in an annual South Bay meeting focused on coyote management, data sharing, and best practices.
• Pursuant to City Council direction, the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) contacted licensed coyote trapping vendors to evaluate trapping as an abatement option. Several vendors were deemed unsuitable due to concerns regarding compliance with State regulations or operational standards and pending legal challenges. One compliant vendor required an ongoing monthly retainer, which was not considered a prudent use of resources given the high value and the low anticipated need for trapping services. However, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is responsible for trapping and removing any coyote that poses an immediate public safety threat, including those involved in attacks on humans, per the City’s current policy. Accordingly, CDFW is the City’s current trapping resource.
MBPD will continue to emphasize education, proactive patrol, and regional collaboration as the primary strategies for managing coyote activity. Staff will monitor trends, maintain community engagement efforts, and provide updates to the City Council as warranted to ensure public safety and informed decision-making.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This item was identified on the City Council meeting agenda for May 5, 2026, which was posted in accordance with applicable law.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENT:
1. 2023 Coyote Management and Response Plan