The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap July 14-20, 2024
August 5, 2024 8:02 PM
by Erika Aklufi
07/14/2024-07/20/2024
PATROL OPERATIONS DIVISION
For the week of July 14th to July 20th there were 46 bookings. Of these arrests, 19 were felonies and 27 were misdemeanors.
DEPARTMENT wide stats for the week
·
2,552 Total CFS
(Calls for Service) / YTD is 71,101 CFS
Notable Events
· 1900 block of Broadway: Officers responded to a disturbance at a business of a homeless person refusing to leave. A warrants check revealed an outstanding no bail warrant for a parole violation.
·
Near Structure 7: On
July 20th, officers observed a suspect wanted for carjacking. The
suspect fled on foot when the officers attempted to contact him. After a
foot pursuit the suspect was taken into custody in the 1500blk of Ocean Ave.
A credit card from one of the original victims was found in the suspect’s
wallet. Criminal Investigations Division was notified. Robbery and carjacking
charges were filed by the District Attorney.
·
Wilshire/Harvard:
Homeless suspect forces occupants out of vehicle and attempts to leave with
their car. Witnesses intervene and officers take the suspect into
custody. Suspect arrested for carjacking.
· 2900 block Delaware: Officers responded to a burglary investigation, review video footage of the incident, and conduct a search of the area. They located the suspect nearby and placed him under arrest for burglary and narcotics offenses.
· On Tuesday July 23rd Officers were recognized for their efforts in reuniting a family with their child related to a call of a kidnapping.
HOMELESS LIAISON PROGRAM (HLP) TEAM
·
510 Homeless
related CFS (20% of total) / YTD is 11,683 Homeless related CFS
(16% of total)
· 28 Total Encampment CFS (869 YTD) -this does not include 311 calls regarding encampments.
HLP Team Stats
·
82 - calls for service
·
54 - 311 requests
handled
·
63 - Self-initiated
activity
·
1- Felony arrest
·
39 - Field
interviews/advisal’s
·
9- Citation
·
68 - Referrals to
services
· 7- Encampments addressed
· The HLP team is pleased to announce three new additions to the unit. The new members are currently going through the onboarding process with the unit and bring a wealth of personal experience to the team.
· On 07/18/2024, the HLP
team, in collaboration with the Salvation Army and Clare Matrix outreach teams
conducted a successful joint operation of Tongva Park and Douglas Park.
Several individuals were contacted, provided information, and connected
to service providers.
· On 7/18/2024 HLP
Officers contacted a known homeless individual who recently returned to the city and has been establishing large encampments in several locations.
Officers cited him for violations of the municipal code. The subject cleaned up
the encampments. HoST came and discarded the remaining trash.
· On 7/17/2024 HLP Officers cited multiple known transients and referred them to STEP COURT.
· On 07/18/2024, Team members conducted follow up at the civic auditorium regarding several homeless subjects trespassing. When team members arrived, all subjects had left the area but left trash and various items. City maintenance contractors assisted team members with cleaning the area.
·
On 7/20/2024 HLP team
members responded to the 900 block of 2nd Street for a Vandalism/ Burglary
call. HLP team members contacted a suspect who was holding a rock and a water
hose. The suspect appeared agitated and continued to say he was carrying the
rock to protect himself. After speaking with the suspect for some time he
dropped the rock. Subject was arrested for assault
with a deadly weapon.
·
On 07/22/2024 HLP Team
members conducted a periodic check of the 1900 Block of the Expo Bicycle Path.
The team contacted two known
subjects who both had set up encampments. Both Subjects took down their
encampments and relocated.
DART- Directed Action Response Team
Notable Events
Annual Vendor / Pedicab Permit Inspections
**
Thursday** DART assisted Code Enforcement with Annual Vendor and Pedicab
Inspections in Lot 4 South from 0800 -1230 hours. DART was on scene to keep the
peace during the inspection process.
Response
to Community Complaints at 1500 Pal Park
** Saturday** DART and Code Enforcement modified work hours for an early start at 0600 hours to address unattended food carts in the 1500 block of Pal Park and those blocking the bike lane during loading/off- loading from trucks. Coordination with Traffic Division who responded to provide citations for violators of the loading zone parking. DART is working in conjunction with DOT to educate the vending community about compliance.
Attempt
to Mediation performer complaint with Shutters
**Saturday
morning** The DART team has been working on chronic issues between a performer
on Ocean Front Walk and the management at Shutters Hotel. DART will continue their mediation efforts.
Vendor Related Incidents / Disturbances / Arrests
DART
responded to a call for service of vendors in a fight on the SM Pier. Upon
arrival, it was determined the victim was attempting to purchase churros and
was bumped by a vendor. An argument ensured and the suspect pushed and punched the
victim. The victim wanted prosecution
for the battery. The suspect was arrested, booked in the Santa Monica Jail, and
issued a citation.
DART
responded to fruit vendor on fruit vendor fight - 1200 blk of the Beach. The
victim and suspect get into a physical altercation after the victim started
filming the suspect for a code violation. The fight escalated when the suspect
put the victim in a choke hold. Incident captured on cell phone. The suspect
was arrested for felony battery.
Unpermitted Beach Event (Thursday)
DART
and multiple patrol and overtime officers responded to the 1400 block of
Palisades Beach Road regarding an unpermitted event. "Fuerza Regida"
a well-known Mexican music artist, was holding an album release party/free
beach concert at the location and promoting it on social media. Officers on
scene imposed several closures of the beach lots and increased the number of
police personnel assigned to the area to maintain the peace and ensure public
safety. The organizers were confronted
about the permitting violations and agreed to end the event early.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Beat 1
·
A security assessment of
500 Broadway, Target, was completed. During the assessment items of concern
were addressed and identified with likely ways to correct the problem issues.
There was an agreement to keep the Broadway entry/exit locked and closed
until 9:30 am as theft tends to be higher in the morning when the store is
without security.
Beat 2
·
Department personnel
attended the Virginia Park Advisory Board meeting. Crime statistics were given,
and questions were answered regarding recent vandalisms.
·
Department personnel met
with management at Firestone, 1817 Lincoln Blvd., about scheduling a future
"Etch and Catch" event.
· Department personnel attended the Mid-City Community Meeting. Crime statistics were shared and questions regarding several municipal code violations were discussed.
Beat 3
·
Department personnel
attended the Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board monthly meeting. Questions
were answered and the Advisory Board was invited to National night Out. The
Advisory Board will be joining the Virginia Park and Parent Connection table at
NNO.
· Community Relations received several complaints regarding individuals trespassing inside of a closed restaurant in the 3100 block of Pico Blvd. The owner of the property boarded up and secured the structure. A trespass letter was completed.
Beat 4
·
A resident contacted
Community Relations regarding several transient individuals at Douglas Park.
Department personnel confirmed no crime had occurred and reached out to the
Salvation Army outreach team to offer services. This was coordinated with the
assistance of Homeless Liaison Program.
Authored By
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant