Remembering Kristin Smart on 30th anniversary

It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Kristin Smart vanished from our streets. As Sheriff Ian Parkinson recently shared in a heartfelt opinion piece for *CalCoastNews*, this case didn’t just change one family—it reshaped how our entire community thinks about safety, justice, and looking out for one another. For those of us who remember the yellow ribbons tied around downtown SLO, or the candlelight vigils on campus, Kristin’s story is woven into the very fabric of who we are. It’s a reminder that a small college town isn’t immune to tragedy, but also that we never stopped caring.

What strikes me most about the Sheriff’s reflection is the quiet dignity in honoring a life that was stolen too soon. For decades, this case felt like an open wound. The recent conviction brought some closure, but as Parkinson notes, the memory of Kristin—her smile, her potential, her place in our town—is what truly endures. It matters because it teaches us that justice can be slow, but a community’s love never fades. So today, maybe take a moment to hold your loved ones a little closer, and remember that in SLO, we still believe in never giving up on each other.