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<\/p>\nLONG BEACH, Calif.\u00a0\u2014 Sequoia Neff a North Long Beach resident, business owner and youth mentor has announced her candidacy for the 2026 Long Beach City Council race in District 9, challenging incumbent Joni Ricks-Oddie.<\/p>\n
Sequoia Neff, founder of a multi-state brokerage, is positioning her campaign around public safety, economic growth and neighborhood investment, saying the area has been \u201coverlooked for too long.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNorth Long Beach has been unheard and overlooked for too long,\u201d Neff said. \u201cIt\u2019s time we\u2019re part of the conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A Long Beach native, Neff said her roots in the community run deep. She grew up near Houghton Park and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where she played varsity sports. As a young parent, she founded a youth track club and basketball league aimed at giving underprivileged children access to athletics and mentorship.<\/p>\n
Her nearly 20-year career in real estate, she said, has shaped her understanding of housing challenges and the struggles small businesses face, particularly in underserved areas like North Long Beach.<\/p>\n
Neff\u2019s campaign platform centers heavily on public safety. She is calling for increased police patrols, hiring more officers, expanding the use of technology such as cameras and license plate readers, and strengthening enforcement against repeat offenders. She also emphasized the need for improved lighting, stronger neighborhood watch programs and better coordination between law enforcement and community groups.<\/p>\n
A key focus of her campaign is addressing human trafficking and prostitution activity along the Long Beach Boulevard corridor. Neff is proposing targeted enforcement efforts, stricter penalties for offenders,particularly near schools, and expanded support services for victims, including job training, counseling and legal assistance.<\/p>\n
On traffic safety, Neff is advocating for a crackdown on street takeovers, restoration of the police department\u2019s traffic enforcement division, and infrastructure improvements such as traffic calming measures, protected bike lanes and enhanced pedestrian crossings.<\/p>\n
She is also prioritizing economic development, with plans to support small businesses through grants, education programs and efforts to attract more retail to North Long Beach. Neff said improving safety and cleanliness along commercial corridors will be key to helping businesses thrive.<\/p>\n
Her platform also addresses quality-of-life concerns, including illegal dumping and neighborhood upkeep. She is proposing stronger enforcement, expanded cleanup programs and improved reporting systems to address ongoing issues.<\/p>\n
Neff is the only declared challenger so far in the District 9 race. Incumbent Councilmember Ricks-Oddie has represented the area since 2022.<\/p>\n
The 2026 election will determine who represents North Long Beach as the community faces ongoing concerns over crime, economic development and neighborhood conditions.<\/p>\n