Dozens of parents, current and former counselors, business representatives and community organizations spoke during general public comment on Jan. 13 urging the Santa Barbara City Council to reinstate Lobster Joe's Beach Camps and to give operator Joseph Evers an opportunity to address staff concerns.

Several speakers recounted safety practices, swim tests and counselor‑to‑camper ratios. "Lobster Joe's creates a safe, fun space for children and hires amazing people to foster what the Santa Barbara community loves," said Garrett Gustafson. Longtime staff and counselors described buoy swims and swim tests as key safety practices; parents said the camp provides affordable childcare and strong ocean‑safety instruction.

Joseph Evers, who operates Lobster Joe's, disputed assertions that his program lacked sufficient staffing or was unsafe and emphasized transparency and oversight from multiple overlapping EMS jurisdictions and a highly scrutinizing parent population. He urged the city to provide specific corrective steps so his program could comply and continue serving children.

Representatives of community organizations, including a comment from the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, asked council leadership to help resolve misunderstandings and preserve a program they said provided both community benefit and a small local business opportunity.

At the meeting, Mayor Rouse asked staff for an update and suggested the council would follow up; the transcript does not record a final council decision on the camp permit during this session. The issue was handled during general public comment prior to the major agenda item on housing policy.