The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap April 27 - May 3, 2025

May 13, 2025 10:58 AM
by Lewis Gilmour

DEPARTMENT-WIDE STATS:

TRAFFIC EDUCATION & ENFORCEMENT - MOTORS

Weekly Stats:

Patrol Traffic Enforcement:

DUI Checkpoint:

On May 2, 2025, the Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit in conjunction with patrol officers and detectives, held a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint resulting in two arrests for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. The DUI checkpoint was held at Pico and 23rd Street.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

PATROL

Traffic Collision Investigation – 20th & Colorado Ave / Big Blue Bus: Officers responded to a report of a pedestrian claiming to have been struck by a Big Blue Bus. The involved bus was located and stopped on the route. Officers interviewed both the reporting party (RP) and the bus driver. The RP alleged he had been knocked down and briefly unconscious, though SMFD found no visible injuries. A passenger on the bus stated she did not witness a collision. Follow-up by Traffic Investigators determined that the incident did not occur.

Swatting Incidents – Ocean Ave: Two consecutive swatting incidents occurred at the same location. On the first day, dispatch received a call from a distorted voice claiming to have shot his mother. On the second day, a similar call was made claiming to have shot his sister. Containment was set up both times. All residents were safe, and both calls were confirmed hoaxes. No suspects in custody.

DSU officers deployed on bikes in the downtown area.

K9 officers conducted periodic checks on the Promenade, Memorial Park, Reed Park, Santa Monica Place, Douglas Park and train platforms. Additionally, SMPD K9s  assisted Redondo Beach PD with conducting bomb sweeps and pedestrian screening for their Beach Life Festival. 

Grand Theft Auto – 1300 Block, 2nd St.: An electric bike was stolen from in front of Barney’s Beanery. No suspect information available.

Parole Violation / Narcotics Paraphernalia – 1200 Block, 6th St.: Officers observed a subject smoking narcotics outside 7-11. Upon contact, the subject was found with drug paraphernalia and had a no-bail parole violation for arson. Arrested on scene.

Felony Theft / Prior Convictions – Sunglass Hut & Sephora: A suspect previously involved in a theft at Sunglass Hut was identified by officers and later linked to multiple thefts at Sephora. Total loss was approximately $2,000. The suspect was also charged with 666.1 PC for theft with prior convictions.

Sex Registrant Violation / Warrants – 1500 Block, Alley 4: Officers contacted a subject believed to be a non-compliant sex registrant. He was confirmed to have a no-bail parole violation for failing to register and two SMPD warrants totaling $200,000 for lewd acts. Subject was taken into custody.

High-Capacity Magazine Arrest – Lot 4 South: During a traffic stop, officers detected marijuana and conducted a probation search. Two firearms were found secured in the trunk, along with a high-capacity magazine loaded with 33 rounds.  

Vandalism to City Property – SMPD Pier Substation: A homeless individual was seen kicking the substation doors, breaking a window panel and frame. The suspect fled but was detained on Ocean Ave and arrested for vandalism.

Unfounded Shots Fired Call – 3100 block of Urban Ave: A food delivery driver reported that a resident fired a shot at him or into the air. Officers contacted the residents and neighbors; no one heard gunfire and no evidence was found. The incident was determined to be unfounded.

Prowling/Peeping (Juvenile Victim) – 11th St.: A 13-year-old girl witnessed a suspect peering through her front window. The suspect then moved to the back of the home and looked into her bedroom window. The suspect fled but was later located and arrested. 

Domestic Violence – 500 block of Colorado Ave: During a domestic dispute, the suspect broke items, took the victim’s car keys, and pushed the victim to the ground while attempting to leave. A 2-year-old child was present. The suspect was stopped by officers and an Emergency Protective Order was granted. DCFS was notified.

Sexual Assault (Juvenile Victim) – Santa Monica Pier: A juvenile from a local group home met a suspect in person after online communication. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim at the pier. The incident was reported by the victim to group home staff. No arrest has been made.

Strong-arm Robbery – Main St. & Ocean Park Blvd: A suspect approached the victim, demanded property, and physically assaulted the victim before fleeing with the stolen items. The suspect was located nearby and taken into custody.

Traffic Collision / DUI Arrest – 7th St. & Ocean Park Blvd: Officers responded to a vehicle collision involving a city tree. The driver was determined to be under the influence and was arrested for DUI. 

Grand Theft – Santa Monica Place: A known theft suspect concealed clothing valued over $950 in his pants. When confronted at the exit, the suspect dropped the items and attempted to flee but was unable to exit due to locked doors. He was arrested and the property was recovered.

Juvenile Theft – Santa Monica Place: Two juveniles concealed multiple phones inside a store. Officers detained them and recovered the stolen items. Investigation revealed the suspects were involved in similar thefts at multiple Apple stores in the area.

DIRECTED ACTION RESPONSE TEAM (DART)

Weekly Stats: 

No Bail Warrant Arrest – 1600 Block, 6th Street: Subject contacted was found to have a PRCS no bail warrant and was taken into custody.

Weapons Arrest & No Bail Warrant – 1600 Block, Beach: Subject contacted for a municipal code violation had a no bail LAPD warrant for assault on a peace officer. Search revealed a makeshift slungshot. Arrested for the warrant and possession of a prohibited weapon (22210 PC).

5150 Hold – Lot 1 North: A subject was reported acting erratically and parked in traffic lanes. DART responded and requested DMH, who placed the subject on a 5150 psychiatric hold. Subject was transported to Exodus West. 

Felony Narcotics Arrest & LAPD Warrant – 1500 Block, Alley 4: Subject contacted  was found with a $100,000 LAPD warrant for meth sales. He was found in possession of meth and OC spray. Arrested under Prop 36 and booked for felony narcotics, illegal OC spray possession, and paraphernalia. Transported to LAPD Pacific.

LAPD DV Warrant Arrest – 1600 Block, Bike Path: Subject detained for shopping cart possession and found to have two LAPD warrants (DV and trespassing). Also in possession of a meth pipe. Arrested and transported to LAPD Pacific.

Weapons & Drug Charges – 1615 Ocean Ave (Tongva Park): Subject arrested for felony possession of a dirk/dagger, drug paraphernalia, and misappropriation of property.

Trespassing & Narcotics Arrest – 1600 Block, Beach: Subject was found trespassing under the pier in a gated area and was in possession of meth and a meth pipe. Subject had no ID and no fingerprint match via LACRIS. Arrested for trespassing and violations of 11377(a) HS and 11364(a) HS.

Theft – Nike Store: Three suspects were located by DART officers on the train platform after stealing merchandise from the Nike store. All suspects were identified.

Felony Battery – 3rd St./Arizona: Subject was located by DART officers after punching a female juvenile in the face without provocation. 

Warrant Cite-Out – 1600 Block, Beach: Subject was detained for loitering under the pier and found to have a $30,000 SMPD warrant for trespassing and resisting arrest.

CRIME IMPACT TEAM (CIT)

Weekly Stats:

DTSM Livability Operation:

Parks Operation:

CIT conducted a crime suppression operation which targeted narcotics related issues citywide where intel gathered from crime analysis was used to target high narcotic areas. DSU and DART assisted.

Lewd Conduct Arrest: Officers stopped a subject at 16th St. and Santa Monica Blvd for masturbating in public. The subject had two outstanding warrants and was on probation for felony assault. A hold was approved.

Stay-Away Order Violation: Officers arrested a subject for violating a stay-away order. 

Weapons and Drug Paraphernalia Possession: In Tongva Park, officers stopped a subject for possessing a shopping cart. A search revealed the subject had a dirk/dagger and a meth pipe in his possession.

No Bail Warrant Arrest: Officers contacted a subject in the 1600 block of 6th Street. A warrant check showed the subject had a PRCS no-bail warrant, and he was taken into custody.

Felony Warrant – Sex Crimes: During a traffic stop in the 300 block of Broadway for expired registration, officers discovered the driver had a felony sex crimes warrant out of Orange County. The subject was arrested.

Muni Code Violation – Sex Offender Non-Compliance: A pedestrian stop for a municipal code violation in the 1400 block of Alley 5 revealed the subject was a registered sex offender (290 PC) who was out of compliance.  

Officers contacted a subject in the 1100 block of Palisades Park for a municipal code violation. A warrant check revealed two out-of-county felony warrants. A search of the subject uncovered 1.25 grams of methamphetamine. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM (CET)

Beat 1 (NRO Hollowell and CPC Barreto)

Beat 2 (NRO Avila & CPC Aguilar)

Beat 3 (NRO Tago & CPC Aguilar)

Beat 4 (NRO Wang & CPC Aguilar)

HOMELESS LIAISON  PROGRAM (HLP)

Weekly Stats:

HLP attended a Bi – Monthly Service Provider Stakeholder meeting. Discussed 500 Olympic and municipal code enforcement.

HLP also attended the monthly Good Neighbor Collaboration Meeting which involved staff from the The Access Center/ Samoshel, Big Blue Bus, and the management of the Comma Building to discuss various issues and concerns in their area. 

ANIMAL CONTROL

Weekly Stats (74 Calls for Service)

Animal Control continues to receive an influx of calls on the beach due to the toxic algal bloom and dogs on the beach.

Between 05/03/25 and 05/04/25, Animal Control Officers assisted Marine Mammal Rescue with the response to two injured sea lions and one injured dolphin along the beach in the 400, 1600, and 1700 blocks, respectively. All animals were transported by M.M.R. personnel to the Marine Mammal Rescue Center in San Pedro for treatment. Additionally, Animal Control Officers transported one deceased dolphin to Dockweiler State Beach for necropsy by O.A.R.R.A.

Deceased animal pick-up:

Coyote Flyer Concerns – 05/02/25: SMPD Public Information Officer received multiple inquiries about flyers posted in the area of 4th St to Lincoln Blvd and Palisades Ave to Georgina Ave, stating several coyote attacks on pets, including three dogs killed and four injured. However, Animal Control had received no formal reports of such incidents. Officers will conduct periodic patrols during early mornings and evenings to monitor for coyote activity.

Dog Bite – 05/03/25: Animal Control responded to a dog bite incident near 300 San Vicente. A dog escaped its harness in the apartment complex and bit a passing female. The dog, a female black and white Lab mix was last vaccinated for rabies on 12/15/23. A bite report was submitted to L.A. County Public Health.

Coyote Bite Report – 05/06/25: Animal Control received a report from a resident near the  1100 block of  Pacific St. that his dog was bitten by a coyote on 05/04/25. The dog sustained a minor wound near its rear and will be quarantined at home for 30 days. A bite report was submitted to L.A. County, and two box traps were set on the property.

On 05/05/25 Animal Control was dispatched to Hotchkiss Park, regarding several dogs off leash. Officers arrived and issued (6) Administrative Citations for SMMC 4.04.155 (a) (2) Dogs on Public Property.   

Enforcement Activity:

HARBOR CONTROL 

Weekly Stats:

HSOs responded to an audible burglary alarm at the commercial location on the pier. All exterior doors were found locked, but an open attic door was located in the adjacent business. Further inspection revealed open doors at Seaside and on one of the balconies. The entire building, including the roof, was searched with the assistance of a drone. Nothing suspicious was located and the scene was cleared.

HSOs were dispatched to the pier following a report from maintenance staff about a suspicious male transient carrying a gas can. Upon contact, the subject became disruptive (415), discarded the gas can, and left the area without further incident.

At the west end of the pier, HSOs were flagged down regarding an injured pelican on the fishing deck. The pelican was safely captured and later transferred to the Animal Shelter for further care.

HSOs responded by boat (Monica 1) to a report of a possible 5150 swimmer off Rose Tower in Venice. Lifeguards were already on scene and reported the individual was uncooperative. Monica 1 stood by while Lifeguards successfully brought the individual to shore. Conditions at the time included 13 kt winds from the WSW, 2–3 ft surf, 61°F water temperature, and 58°F air temperature.

Additional Activities:

Authored By

Lewis Gilmour
Lieutenant

Categories

Programs, Safety