The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap August 17-23, 2024

August 27, 2024 10:15 AM
by Erika Aklufi

08/17/2024-08/23/2024

The police department recently started publishing a version of this weekly recap on our website. It’s received a great deal of positive feedback with residents and other stakeholders appreciating additional information about the activity and service the police department provides to all who live, work and visit Santa Monica.
It was Back to School on Thursday August 22^nd and SMPD staff were out at and about joining in the fun.

POLICE DEPARTMENT statistics for the week

Total Calls for Service (CFS): 2,788. 81,983 YTD (through 8/17).
Source of calls:
- Citizen Initiated: 1,721 calls for service. 49,208 YTD (60% of total CFS).
- Officer Initiated: 1,067 calls for service. 32,775 YTD (40% of total CFS).
- Disposition for CFS: Homeless related = 17% YTD.
- Encampment Calls: 40. 1,019 YTD.
- 5150 Calls: 14. 423 YTD.
- Arrests: 70 total arrests. 1,747 YTD.

Patrol Operations Division - Notable Incidents

  Burglary - 2500 Block of 5^th Street. The suspect entered the location through a window and was discovered by a house sitter. The suspect, who fled, was later located and arrested in the area using surveillance footage. The suspect is on parole for robbery.
·        Indecent Exposure - 322 Santa Monica Pier. Pier officers are flagged regarding subject masturbating in public view near the central women’s restrooms. The suspect resisted arrest and a taser was deployed. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and then released with a citation per the LA County Bail Policy.
·         Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 1000 Block of the Beach Bike Path. Officers responded to the 1000 Block of Beach regarding a stabbing.  The victim was sleeping in a tent on the beach and when suspect took victim’s phone. The victim followed the suspect, attempting to retrieve his phone, when the suspect stabbed the victim once. The victim was transported to a local hospital for a non-life-threatening puncture wound. Both victim and suspect are experiencing homelessness.
·        Stolen Vespa Scooter – 800 Block Ocean Park Blvd. Officers observed a Vespa scooter without a license plate. A traffic stop was conducted, and it was discovered the scooter was stolen and the suspect was on parole.
·         Possession of Drugs for Sales - 14th St/ Pico. Officers responded to a domestic violence call for service at the Chevron. The domestic violence was unfounded. One of the parties to the call was on parole for robbery. A consensual search revealed 22 individual bindles of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. A parole hold was granted.
·        Elder Abuse / Battery – 1500 block of 5^th Street. The victim, a 67-year-old female who is disabled and is in a wheelchair was in front of a residential building when a suspect approached her and struck her in the back of the head twice with his hand. The suspect remained at the scene and was taken into custody by arriving officers. The victim refused paramedics.
·         Hit & Run Felony - Ocean / Colorado. Radio call of a vehicle vs pedestrian accident. The suspect vehicle, a white Jeep Wrangler, was last seen southbound. The homeless victim stated he was feeling suicidal and intended to get hit by laying in roadway. The victim complained of pain in his legs and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and to be placed on a hold per 5150 WIC.
·        Dangerous Weapons Arrest - 1800 Pico Blvd. An officer conducted a pedestrian stop and learned the subject of the stop had two outstanding warrants. The suspect also had a weapon of a makeshift wrench with a blade attached concealed on his person.    
·        Assault/Battery - 1700 Appian Way/ 1700 Ocean Front Walk (OFW). Officers were called to OFW regarding a battery investigation. The first victim declined prosecution. While the officers were still on scene, they were flagged down by witnesses who saw a male suspect assaulting a female on Appian Way. The victim was struck and shoved to the ground, suffering a minor injury to her elbow. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit up Pacific View Terrace and into Tongva Park. With the drone overhead assisting with tracking, the suspect was taken into custody on the Main Street side of park.
·        Robbery (Estes) - 500 Block of Wilshire Blvd. The suspect entered a store, concealed items, and physically pushed through employees to exit. The victim started calling 911 on cell phone but the suspect slapped it out of his hand. A physical fight ensued. When the victim tried to hold the suspect down, the suspect punched and kicked the victim.     
·        Elder Abuse / Battery - 1300 Block of 11^th Street. The suspect is the adult son of the 69-year-old victim. The suspect punched the victim multiple times during the assault, causing visible injury. An Emergency Protective Order was granted. The suspect was arrested and served with the protective order.
·        Robbery - 1500 Block of 4^th Street. The suspect punched the victim in the head and face and took his personal property. The suspect fled from officers and a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect was apprehended in the 1600 Block of 5^th Street.

·        Burglary / Grand Theft Auto - 2300 Block of 26^th Street. A neighbor called regarding a suspicious person next door. Officers arrived and detained three suspects. It was determined the suspects forced open the victim's garage, removed her sister’s 1975 Datsun from the garage, and pushed it down the alley.

Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team

HLP Team Stats

158 - calls for service
38 - 311 requests handled
130 - Self-initiated activity

0 - Felony arrest
1 - Misdemeanor arrests
60 - Field interviews/advisals
13 - Citations
55 - Referrals to services
0 - 5150 holds completed
7- Encampments addressed

Department of Mental Health (DMH)/HLP Clinician Stats

5 - Referral to services thru DMH
4 - 5150 evaluations (3 holds)

NOTABLE INCIDENTS

· While patrolling the Lincoln Blvd and Pico Blvd area near the 7-Eleven, HLP Officers were flagged down by several individuals who wanted information regarding resources the city provides. While speaking with two subjects, a subject known to the HLP Team approached and thanked the officers for their continued outreach over the course of several months. The individual shared that he is now housed and is 3 ½ months sober.

· HLP Officers responded to 1533 4^th Street (Salvation Army) regarding multiple Municipal Code Violations including Public Camping and Posted Doorway Violations. Upon HLP Officers arrival a large encampment was located. Several subjects were contacted and advised and offered services. The area where the encampment was located was cleaned up by HLP Officers.

· HLP Team Officers contacted a subject and followed up regarding a citation she was issued a month prior for trespassing on the Salvation Army property. At that time, she was referred to STEP Court. The subject was reminded of her opportunity to clear up warrants and the citation at STEP Court. With the encouragement of the HLP Team, the subject attended STEP Court and was connected to resources while simultaneously taking care of her warrant. The very next day the subject was placed in Samoshel. EXODUS Recovery care manager assisted in the process. A unified collaborative effort (HLP TEAM, STEP COURT, EXODUS and SAMOSHEL) helped the subject get off the street and into temporary housing. The subject is motivated to make the transition into permanent housing her next priority.

· HLP Team members report referring another subject to Samoshel. The subject has been service-resistant for over two years and has been sleeping in Los Amigos Park off and on for over a year. The subject had multiple negative experiences with SMPD and has been reluctant to trust officers. After building rapport over the past year with the subject, he finally accepted the HLP Team’s invitation to receive a bed at Samoshel and the opportunity to work towards permanent housing. The subject was transported to Samoshel and his case manager provided amazing customer service.

· HLP Team contacted a female subject several times in the 1400 block of 16^th St. The subject has an extensive mental health history (5150 holds) and was ultimately deemed unable to care for herself. Our DMH clinician placed the subject on a 5150 hold and transported her to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

· The HLP Team Lieutenant contacted a subject who was referred to Samoshel. The Therapeutic Transport team transported the subject to Samoshel.

HLP Monthly Weekend Operation - 8/17/2024

The theme of the Monthly Operation: High visibility, addressing encampments, and any other violation Officers come across in the areas of focus identified by the HLP Team along with the regular hotspots – OFW, Tongva, Reed, Pal Park , all 7/11 stores in the city (16^th/SM, Lincoln/Pico, 7^th/Wilshire). Below is summary of stats from the operation:

· 14 - FIs/ Advisals

· 5 - Citations

· 7 - Periodic Checks

· 2 - Patrol Assists

2- Arrest

DART- Directed Action Response Team

Code Enforcement:

· 4 Citations

· 112 Advisals incl. 66 verbal warnings/50 written

· 1 Confiscation

SMPD:

· 6 Citations

· 12 Field Interviews

· 7 Arrests

· 16 Encampments Cleared

Notable Incidents:

· Municipal Code Violation / Resisting Arrest - 1500 Blk Palisades Park. DART Officers contacted the suspect regarding a municipal code violation. The suspect ran and a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect was captured in Structure 8 and arrested for resisting arrest.

· DART contacted and cleaned up three encampments. One subject had an Arizona warrant for battery on a police officer.

· DART assisted the sergeant assigned to the Pier when they were notified of a suspicious package near Bubba Gumps. K9 11, our vapor wake dog and handler team, responded. The package was not dangerous.

· DART contacted a subject for a municipal code violation. The subject was in possession of drug paraphernalia and had a $30K warrant from SMPD. The suspect was cited for the charges and released.

· DART contacted a subject for open container in Palisades Park. Investigation revealed suspect was in possession of 4.35 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The individual was arrested.

· DART contacted a subject who was trespassing under the Pier. The subject was in possession of narcotics and had a prior conviction for possession of narcotics for sales. The subject was arrested.

· DART conducted a traffic stop in the 2000 blk of Lincoln Blvd. The driver had a $100K warrant out of LASD for assault with a deadly weapon.

· DART contacted S1 for trespassing under the pier. The suspect had a No Bail Parole Warrant Parole.

· DART responded to a call for service regarding a man who pointed a gun at another person in Lot 5South. DART arrived on scene, located the vehicle, and conducted a high risk stop. No gun was located, and officers determined the crime was unfounded.

· DART attempted a traffic stop on motorcycle that was on the sidewalk across from 1616 Ocean Ave. It appeared to officers that the driver might be conducting a hand-to-hand drug deal with a homeless individual. The driver failed to yield to the officers’ lights/sirens. No pursuit was initiated.

· DART contacted a subject who was in possession of meth pipe and refused to provide his name. The subject was arrested for the paraphernalia and taken to jail for identification and a citation.

· DART contacted a subject in Reed Park who was in possession of methamphetamine pipe in plain view. The subject was detained and a wants/warrants check revealed LAPD Rampart warrant for Assault With a Deadly Weapon.

Community Affairs Unit (CAU)

The Community Affairs Unit was proud to join our partners in the SMMUSD to welcome students on the first day of school.

Beat 2 – NRO Navarro with CPC Barreto

· The Beat NRO received complaints of criminal activity at a temporarily unoccupied residence in the 2300 block of 26^th Street. The new owner was given recommendations on what improvements to make prior to moving into home. NRO Navarro and NRO Galvan conducted periodic checks of location.

· Following up from a neighborhood watch meeting, NRO Navarro and NRO Galvan met with the owner of Star Liquor at Main and Bay regarding complaints about the business’s parking lot. While at the location, a neighbor told the officers increased police department attention in the area had decreased issues at the location.

· NRO Navarro and CPC Barreto attended the Pico Improvement Organization Community Meeting where they shared current crime statistics and discussed recent vandalisms.

· NRO Navarro and Galvan assisted Lt. Green on an Incident Review Board.

· NRO Navarro received complaint about neighbors having a conflict at 512 Bay Street. NRO Navarro and Galvan met with neighbors and discussed numerous concerns. Both residents satisfied with mediation and no further complaints have been received since.

· NRO Navarro received complaints of a known homeless individual leaving food for birds in the 800 block of Bay Street. NRO Navarro and Galvan conducted checks of the alley and nearby parking lots. No transients nor encampments located. Reporting party notified and message left.

· NRO Navarro and Galvan contacted supervisors at Jiffy Lube (2344 Pico Blvd.) regarding a possible new location for future Etch and Catch events. Will reach out to their management the following week to find out their response. NOTE: Previous location (Firestone on Lincoln Bl) could not host this any longer.

Beat 3 – NRO Galvan with CPC Barreto

· CAU staff attended Virginia Avenue Park (VAP) Back to School event on Friday August 16^th. CAU staff spoke with several community stake holders at the event. The event was very well attended, and the kids and staff were very appreciative of the department’s involvement. Social media pictures shared.

· NRO Navarro and NRO Galvan presented the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event course to Virginia Park and PAL staff. Spoke with supervisors and staff who requested an expanded presentation for future training sessions.

· NRO Galvan received a phone call and email regarding vehicles parked on Chelsea and not moving for several days. TSOs were asked to enforce any parking violations. Several vehicles were ticketed for various violations and the vehicles have since moved.

· NRO Galvan at the request of the Santa Monica Synagogue, which is closing escorted the parishioners and the Torah to their new place of worship. The Synagogue was very appreciative of the escort and support from the NROs.

Beat 4 – NRO Wang with CPC Lockwood

· NRO Wang attended the Montana Avenue Merchant’s Association (MAMA) meeting. This was NRO Wang’s first meeting with the association since taking over Beat 4. NRO Wang gave an introduction and biography of himself, and they shared their expectations of the police department and of the community.

· NRO Wang was dealing with a civil landlord tenant issue in the 1000 block of Harvard Ave. A problematic tenant is being evicted but is barricading ingress and egress routes on the property.

· NRO Wang contacted a resident regarding a battery and other issues occurring at her residence on 20th St. NRO Wang coordinated with handling Detective McCoy regarding this. NRO Wang will be handling the civil/quality of life issues arising from this situation.

· NRO Wang has been in communication with Derek Johnson of the Santa Monica Protective Association. NRO Wang submitted his bio for their quarterly newsletter.

· A Santa Monica Boy Scout contacted NRO Wang for an interview.

Authored By

Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant