Carmel Ad Hoc Committee Discusses Need for Street Addresses to Improve Emergency Response

In a recent Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council special meeting, discussions centered around the pressing need for the city to adopt a formal street address system. This initiative aims to enhance public safety and improve service delivery, particularly for emergency responders and utility companies.

Council member Bob Delves, who has taken on the role of the "public face of addresses," highlighted the challenges posed by the current addressing system, which does not comply with state law. He noted that the lack of standardized addresses has led to significant delays in emergency response times, with reports indicating that first responders could be delayed by up to three minutes. While response times remain generally good, the potential for improvement has prompted a growing number of residents to advocate for change.

The meeting also featured insights from various stakeholders, including police and fire representatives, who expressed concerns about the difficulties they face in locating homes without clear addresses. Utility companies, such as PG&E, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the risks associated with delivering essential services without reliable location information.

Residents have shared personal stories illustrating the complications arising from the absence of street addresses, including issues with obtaining real IDs, insurance coverage, and package deliveries. These anecdotes have fueled the conversation around the necessity of adopting a more modern addressing system that aligns with the needs of the community.

The committee working on this issue is exploring options that would satisfy both state requirements and the expectations of the United States Postal Service. While some residents remain hesitant about changing the village character of Carmel, the growing consensus among others suggests that a formal addressing system is essential for the safety and efficiency of city services.

As the city moves forward, the discussions from this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the future of addressing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with the potential to significantly impact residents' daily lives and the overall functionality of city services.