The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap August 24-30, 2024

September 3, 2024 6:24 PM
by Erika Aklufi

08/24/2024-08/30/2024

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.
LEAD Program- Whitewater Rafting Trip

“Whitewater rafting was a great opportunity to show the youth the true meaning of teamwork. Despite what each individual kid may be going through, it was nice to see everyone put their troubles aside and engage in the activity". – SMPD Officer Alex Bullock

"What an amazing opportunity it was to watch these specific youth get out in nature and conquer it. Seeing them flourish in their capabilities and working as a team, was a special experience". - SMPD Officer Chad Madrid

SMPD’s youth diversion program, LEAD, sponsored several students and adult chaperones on a whitewater rafting trip on the American River. This was a joint trip with students and adults from St. Joseph’s Youth Resource Team (YRT). LEAD took two youth as a reward for their leadership in helping to shape, outreach for, and facilitate this summer’s leadership series.

In addition to rafting, the group managed a quick stop at the Capital Building to learn how decision-makers create laws and policies. From Ana Jara, LEAD program director, highlights of the trip included: learning communication skills, synching as a group, how to paddle through rough spots, pushing past fears and limitations, surrounding yourself with people who will lean into participation, and how to quickly respond to challenges.

POLICE DEPARTMENT statistics for the week

Total Calls for Service (CFS): 2,680. YTD (through 8/24): 84,663
Source of calls:

Citizen Initiated: 1,607 calls for service. 50,815 YTD (60% of total CFS).
Officer Initiated: 1,073 calls for service. 33,848 YTD (40% of total CFS).
Disposition for CFS: Homeless related = 17% YTD.
Encampment Calls: 30. 1,049 YTD.
5150 Calls: 9. 432 YTD.
Arrests: 69 total arrests. 1,816 YTD.

Patrol Operations Division - Notable Incidents

·        Sexual Battery – 500 Block Olympic Blvd. The victim was walking on the sidewalk when she heard someone catcalling her. She turned around and found the subject directly behind her. The suspect spit on the victim, pushed her, and started to grope her. The victim fled to a nearby vehicle and called police. The suspect was not located.

·        Encampment / Vandalism (City Property)- 700 Block Palisades Park. Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) officers observe an encampment in Palisades Park during a clean-up detail with city Public Works partners. The subject in the encampment became irate when contacted by the officers, grabbed his property, and walked away. The subject later returned and punched the side view mirror of a police vehicle, damaging the glass. The subject was detained and arrested.

·         Wanted Murder Suspect (LAPD) Located - Centinela / Exposition. Patrol officers out looking for a homeless individual wanted for murder by the LAPD located the suspect inside a tent just outside the city limits. SMPD personnel from patrol and Crime Impact Team worked with LAPD officers to successfully get the suspect into custody.

·         Assault / Battery / Robbery (Estes) / Resisting Arrest – 400 Block of Broadway and 1100 Block of Lincoln Blvd.   The suspect is recognized by store staff from a prior Estes Robbery at the business. While being escorted out, the suspect assaults the security guard and flees. The suspect is located by officers nearby and runs, ending up on the roof of an abandoned building in the 1100 Block of Lincoln Boulevard. He continued to try and evade police and climbed about 30 feet up a tree. Personnel negotiated with the suspect for several hours to no avail. Officers backed off, leaving several units and the UAS to surveil the suspect. After about 20 minutes, the suspect came down on his own and was taken into custody.

·        Domestic Violence – 2800 Block of the Beach. The victim in this incident told the responding Night Beach officers that the suspect strangled her and threatened to cut her throat with a knife. The suspect was taken into custody for felony domestic violence.

·        Grand Theft Auto - Franklin Street and Wilshire Blvd. Officers responded to the area regarding an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) notification of a stolen vehicle in the area. The vehicle, a Chevy Silverado, was located parked next to Big 5. Based on surveillance footage and a witness statement, the theft suspect was located at Bristol Farms and arrested without incident.

·        Parolee at Large - 800 Block Palisades Park. Officers responded to a call for service regarding a homeless subject on the west side of the fence in Palisades Park. The subject was arrested for being a Parolee at Large.

·        Overdose / Narcan Save / Parolee Arrest - Lincoln / Wilshire. Officers respond to a call of a homeless subject who was in medical distress and possibly overdosing. The officers administered two doses of Naloxone and monitored the subject’s breathing until the Fire Department arrived. The subject was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. Assisting officers discovered the subject had an outstanding parole violation warrant and was arrested once the hospital released him.

·        Appian Way / Arcadia Terrace - Dangerous Weapons (Firearm / Metal Knuckles). Officers located a parked occupied vehicle with the rear passenger inhaling from a large balloon. That subject also had a large nitrous tank by his feet, which was visible from outside of the vehicle. The driver was ultimately arrested for possession of metal knuckles in the center console. The rear passenger was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm.

·        Aggravated Assault – 2600 Block Main Street. Call for service of a downed subject suffering significant head injury. The victim, who was conscious/breathing, could not describe who or how he was assaulted. A witness provided some footage of the incident which shows two suspects assaulting the victim. The quality of the footage does not allow for a detailed description of either suspect. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. An investigation is underway.

·        Street Takeover / Reckless Driving – Ocean and Colorado. Call for service of multiple cars and people in the intersection with several cars driving recklessly (donuts and burnouts). Upon arrival of officers, and with assistance from CHP, all parties fled in different directions. One vehicle was left abandoned on scene with collision damage. The bumper of a second vehicle was left on scene which belonged to a reported stolen vehicle out of Whittier PD. The abandoned vehicle was towed, and traffic investigators are looking into the incident.

·        Robbery (Estes) - 400 Block Santa Monica Boulevard.   The suspect entered the location, took a pre-made drink and the tip jar, then exited location. An employee stopped the suspect outside of the location and a brief struggle ensued over the tip jar. The suspect threw the drink in the victim’s face. The tip jar fell to ground and the victim was able to gain control of it. The suspect was arrested for robbery.

·        Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 1800 Block Ocean Avenue. The victim was driving south on Ocean Ave when one of three motorcyclists traveling together slapped the victim’s sideview mirror. The victim exited the vehicle and confronted the subjects; a fight ensues. Witnesses told officers the subjects punched and kicked the victim repeatedly. The victim sustained lacerations and contusions to his head and face. One suspect is stopped in the 1700 block of Ocean Ave. The suspect admitted to a verbal altercation in area of incident and has blood on his clothing and boots. The victim was uncooperative and refused to participate in a field show-up. The suspect was positively identified through witness cell phone video of incident and arrested.

·         Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 1200 Block Palisades Park. A witness stated he saw the suspect swing a machete at the victim, almost striking him. The victim, who is mentally ill and currently homeless, was unable to provide any statements during the investigation. The suspect admitted to swinging the machete at the victim to try and get the victim away from him. It appears during the victim’s mental episode, he started to follow the suspect and upset him, leading up to the assault with a deadly weapon.

·         Assault with a Firearm - 1200 Block Palisades Park. The victim was sitting on a bench in the 1200 block of Palisades Park when the suspect pointed a revolver at him. The victim had earplugs in and did not hear the suspect say anything to him. The suspect then tucked the firearm into his front waistband. The suspect was described as a M/B/thin build/5’5” wearing a blue and white baseball cap, black jacket, blue pants riding a black beach cruiser. The suspect was last seen riding S/B Ocean Avenue.

Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team

HLP Team Stats

Homeless Calls for Service Count: 602 incidents.

122 - calls for service
24 - 311 requests handled
102 - Self-initiated activity

2 - Felony arrests
4 - Misdemeanor arrests
57 - Field interviews/advisal’s
9 - Citation
110 - Referrals to services
5- Encampments addressed

Department of Mental Health (DMH)/HLP Clinician Stats

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

NOTABLE INCIDENTS

· A weekend monthly HLP overtime detail operation was conducted in several identified hotspots in the downtown area and throughout the city. The operation resulted in the following stats:

2 misdemeanor arrests
1 Periodic/walk through of Tongva Park
1 Pedestrian Stop
1 Periodic check - 630 Wilshire Blvd
1 written advisal
1 municipal code citation
3 FIs
3 Periodic Foot Beat Checks (Reed Park/Palisades Park)

Throughout the week the “Sunrise” overtime detail was conducted along OFW by various sworn and professional staff. The focus of the detail is high-visibility and enforcement of encampment violations and addressing other quality of life issues. Park closure enforcement was also conducted. The weekly stats for the details are:

2 felony arrests (1 No Bail Warrant for Robbery / Probation hold in Tongva Park)
6 FIs
20 advisals
2 citations
1 written advisal
1 bike stop
1 5150

HLP Team Members along with city landscaping contractors conducted a city-wide cleanup operation. During the clean up a noticeable amount of trash had accumulated in a multi-person encampment along the 1500 block of PCH.

During the cleanup a subject who was in an encampment in 700 block of Palisades Park was advised of the violation. After being advised he became irate and began screaming and cursing. The subject subsequently punched a SMPD Patrol Vehicle causing a mirror to break. The subject was arrested for Vandalism, resisting arrest and public camping. The suspect caused approximately 700 dollars in damage and placed a patrol vehicle out of use for several days.

HLP Team Officers and DMH Clinician placed a subject on a 5150 mental health hold. D.D. was soiled in his own urine from head to toe and was observed walking aimlessly in the middle of Wilshire Blvd with no regard for oncoming traffic.

The HLP Team contacted a male subject in the 1400 block of 16^th St. The subject stated he has been experiencing homelessness for several years and frequents the area of Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The male subject expressed interest in housing. The HLP Team referred the subject to Samoshel.

HLP Team members and DTSM collaborated to conduct a livability operation in the downtown district of Santa Monica. Salvation Army and Clare Matrix additionally assisted with officers in contacting several subjects and providing resources throughout the downtown district. Multiple subjects were provided resources, referred to SAMOSHEL, and educated on the municipal code violations enforced throughout the city. Enforcement was conducted to those in continuous violation of municipal codes.

During the operation, Salvation Army and team members encountered a male homeless subject near 6^th Street and Santa Monica Blvd to offer him resources. While speaking with the subject officers conducted a check for wants and warrants. Team members discovered the subject had a warrant out for his arrest from SMPD for Indecent Exposure. He was placed under arrest and transported to SMPD jail for booking and processing.

1- Misdemeanor Arrest

2 - Citations

4 – Advised

1 – 5150 Hold

1 – SAMOSHEL Referral

HLP Team members contacted a female subject in the 1300 block of 3^rd street for a doorway violation. A want and warrants check revealed she had two warrants. She was arrested and booked for the warrants and the municipal code violation.

DART- Directed Action Response Team

Code Enforcement:

· 2 Citations

· 95 Advisals including 24 written warnings

SMPD:

· 2 Citations

· 9 Field Interviews

· 8 Arrests

· 8 Encampments Advised / Removed

Notable Incidents:

· No Bail Warrant Arrest - Beach Tower 15. DART contacted a subject who was known to have an outstanding warrant. He is also a fugitive out of Arizona for Assault on a Peace Officer.

· No Bail Arrest / Drug Possession – Santa Monica Pier. DART contacted a subject in violation of the municipal code for loitering underneath the Pier. The subject had a drug pipe in plain view and was in possession of methamphetamine. The subject was taken into custody for a No Bail warrant.

· Critical Missing - 300 Santa Monica Pier. A family reported their adult relative with Down Syndrome was missing. The subject was located at the Mariasol Restaurant on the Pier and reunited with the reporting party.

· SMPD Warrant arrest - 1500 Block Ocean Ave. DART contacted and arrested a subject with a warrant for Larceny.

· 5150 WIC - 300 Santa Monica Pier. DART responded to radio call that a female suspect spit on a Pier performer. One of the department’s DMH clinicians responded to assist with an evaluation and determined the suspect needed to be placed on a 5150 hold.

· Delaying a Police Investigation/Municipal Code Arrest - 1300 Blk of the Beach. DART contacted the occupant in an encampment. While investigating, the subject lied about his name. Officers were able to identify the suspect via mobile fingerprint reader.

· Narcotics Possession - Santa Monica Pier. DART contacted the subject for a municipal code violation. Subject consented to a search of his person. He was in possession approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine.

· No Bail Warrant Arrest - 1700 Block Ocean Front Walk. DART contacted a subject for a municipal code violation. Subject lied about his name and was identified using the fingerprint reader. The subject was arrested for a No Bail parole warrant.

· SMPD Warrant Arrest - 300 Block Santa Monica Pier. While conducting a periodic check of the Pier, DART officers observed a subject in violation of a municipal code. The subject had a warrant for vandalism and auto theft.

Crime Impact Team (CIT)

Weekly Stats:

· Traffic Stops – 16

· Ped Stops – 20

· Bike Stops – 5

· Felony Arrests – 5

· Misdemeanor Arrests – 2

· Citations – 2

· Field Interviews – 10

· Assists - 2

Incidents of Note

· Wanted Suspect – Reed Park. Officers conducted a pedestrian stop in Reed Park for a municipal code violation. A records check revealed the subject was wanted out of Culver City for robbery.

· No Bail Warrant – 2000 Block Ocean Ave. Officers conducted a pedestrian stop in Crescent Bay Park for an open container violation. The suspect had a felony warrant for a parole violation.

· No Bail Warrant – Reed Park. Officers assisted the HLP Team with crime suppression in Reed Park. They conducted a pedestrian stop for a municipal code violation and records check revealed the suspect had a felony, no bail warrant for robbery.

· Drug Possession – 1800 Block of Lincoln Blvd. Officers conducted a pedestrian stop in the 1800 block of Lincoln Blvd. of an individual in possession of methamphetamine and Xanax. The suspect was arrested.

· Drug Possession / Warrant - 1900 Block Alley 19. Officers conducted a pedestrian stop in the 1900 block Alley 19. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine. The subject was arrested for drug possession and a $30K Santa Monica warrant.

· Possession of Drugs for Sales – 14^th Street and Grant Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop at 14^th St. and Grant. A search of the suspect and his vehicle revealed him to be in possession of over an ounce of methamphetamine. He also had a large amount of cash and a digital scale.

· Wanted Murder Suspect – Centinela Blvd and Exposition Blvd. The CIT Unit assisted with the apprehension of a murder suspect wanted by LAPD.

Community Affairs Unit (CAU)

The entire CAU team participated in department-wide roll call presentations of the 2024-2028 SMPD Strategic Plan.

CAU attended the Coffee with a Cop event at the downtown Target store (5^th / Broadway). Department personnel interacted with numerous Target staff members, residents, and tourists. Arrangements were made for a similar event at the Mid-City Target location.

Beat 1 – NRO Hollowell with CPC Lockwood

· NRO Hollowell met with the DTSM Chief of Operations and OEM Dispatch Manager about improving communication between DTSM security and Police Dispatch. During the meeting, introductions were made, and the dispatch process was explored for both agencies. The meeting identified problem areas and a pathway to solutions. Moving forward, OEM will schedule sit-a-longs with DTSM to provide deeper understanding of the role dispatch plays in Police Department operations.

· NROs Hollowell, Galvan and Sgt. Rodriguez, along with varies units at the police department, Code Enforcement, and City Attorney’s office met via Teams, regarding the city’s Noise Ordinance and problem locations within the city of Santa Monica. As result of the meeting, Code Enforcement at the direction the of City Attorney is working on more effective language that gives more authority to Code Enforcement and PD for stopping ongoing noise problems. The hope is this can be done by the month of September.

Beat 2 – NRO Navarro with CPC Barreto

· NRO Navarro and Galvan hosted an open-air Neighborhood Watch meeting at Ishihara Park. In attendance was City Councilmember Parra and approximately thirty residents. Attendees raised concerns about traffic and homelessness. Resources and contact phone numbers were shared.

· NRO Navarro and Wang assisted with recycler enforcement around 16^th and Maple. Contacted subjects and advised them about enforcement.

· NRO Navarro contacted the manager of Jiffy Lube and he stated it was possible that an Etch and Catch event could occur at their location. He will be contacting their administration and will be notifying him.

· NRO Navarro received complaint of a concern with traffic signage in the Cloverfield / I-10 area. He will be following up with Caltrans to discuss the issue.

· NRO Navarro met with gas station manager at Sinclair (20^th/Pico) who had employees remove a large stash of trash from the corner of their property. NRO Navarro also had SMC maintenance clean up open walkway adjacent to property that had an encampment. NRO Navarro is now working with SMC maintenance to have fence erected to close off area of homeless.

Beat 3 – NRO Galvan with CPC Barreto

· NROs Wang, Galvan and Navarro provided security at a Virginia Avenue Park community meeting focused on the prosecution of Crypto FXT, which defrauded elderly Latino individuals of millions of dollars.

· NROs Galvan, Navarro and CPC Barreto attended the monthly Mid-City community meeting. Statistics were shared and questions were answered. The group was pleased with the presentation.

· NRO Galvan attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting on 25^th Street regarding a neighbor causing a disturbance. Ideas were given and property management was looped into the problem.

Beat 4 – NRO Wang with CPC Lockwood

· Following a report of vandalism in the 1500 Block of Montana Avenue, NRO Wang responded to the scene and contacted the business owner.

· NRO Wang investigated several issues at the apartment complex near 8^th Street and California Avenue. He reviewed previous complaints, including disturbing the peace, landlord-tenant disputes, and a recent overdose. NRO Wang discovered squatters in one of the unoccupied buildings nearby and contacted the landlord to start working on getting the property secured.

· NRO Wang coordinated a Foot Beat Patrol on Montana Avenue. NRO Wang plans on visiting the Montana Avenue business district and coordinating with patrol to enforce violations.

· NRO Wang was forwarded information from a dissatisfied resident who reported multiple times about an individual trespassing and sleeping in the carport area of their building. NRO Wang reached out to the resident and the responding officers involved. The officer assessed the situation and proposed alternative solutions. Discussions with the citizen addressed issues related to homelessness, mental health, and the drug crisis. The citizen was receptive and understanding of the situation.

Authored By

Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant