The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap December 14-20, 2024

December 24, 2024 10:12 AM
by Erika Aklufi

December 14 - December 20, 2024

 Custody Officer Graduation:   A big congratulations to our recent Custody Officer Academy Graduates, Anthony Gomez and Abril Perez! We're excited to officially welcome them to the department. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the challenging training process have set them up for success in law enforcement.

As part of our team, they'll contribute to the values of service, integrity, and community safety that define our department. We are confident that Anthony and Abril will bring unique strengths, skills, and perspectives that will only make our team stronger.

Fig Tree:   We had a great time spreading holiday cheer at the Fairmount Miramar’s Meet Me Under the Fig Tree event! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, share some festive fun with SMPD officers, the Mounted Unit, and K9 Jack, and create unforgettable moments together. This is what the season is all about!

Department-wide Statistics

Total Calls for Service (CFS):  2,399.  YTD (through 12/14):  123,822

 Source of calls:

Patrol Operations Division

Notable Incidents:

Suspicious Activity / Warrant / Narcotics - 1200 Block Alley 6.  Officers observed suspicious activity indicative of narcotics use. They contacted the two individuals and found the female had a no bail warrant and was in possession of fentanyl and paraphernalia. The male was cited in the field for possession of paraphernalia. 

 

Commercial Burglary (Construction Site) - 2400 Block of 14th Street.  A construction crew working at Will Rogers Elementary School secured their construction area before leaving for the night. When the crew returned the next morning, they discovered the gate had been cut and tools stolen. Video showed that at about 1 AM a white van or SUV parked on the 16th Street side of the school and three suspects made entry through the fence.  The investigation is ongoing.

 

Commercial Burglary - 1400 Block of Ocean Avenue.  An employee of the Senior Center observed a subject punch out a window to a door of the business. The suspect attempted to gain access but was unsuccessful.  He left on a bicycle. The damage was estimated to be about $200. 

 

Robbery – 1300 Block of 3rd Street. The subject entered a store on the Promenade and after a few minutes inside placed several items inside a tote bag before heading to the exit.  On her way out, the suspect informed employees that she would pepper spray them if they attempted to contact her or stop her.  The loss was about $350 dollars. 

 

Resisting Arrest – 3rd Street and Broadway.  A Community Services Officer (CSO) observed a subject attempting to cut the lock off a bicycle in the 1500 Block of 2nd Street. The subject left the area and the CSO broadcast his description on the radio.  Officers patrolling the downtown area attempted to detain the subject.  He eventually stopped moving and sat down on the curb.  When the officers approached, he abruptly stood up and threatened to fight the officers while taking a fighting stance. The subject was taken into custody after a minor use of force.  He was on probation for assault. 

 

Traffic Stop / Gun Arrest – Ocean Way and Bay Street. Officers contacted the occupants of a parked vehicle for smoking marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun in the glovebox.

 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 395 Santa Monica Place.  The victim and his group were confronted by a subject who produced a knife and slashed at the victim.  The victim suffered a non-life-threatening wound to his hand.  The suspect was located at the train platform on 4th Street; he was still in possession of the knife.

 

Suicide – 1400 Block of 4th Street (Public Parking Structure 5). Officers responded to Structure 5 regarding a subject lying in the roadway. SMFD arrived on scene and advised the subject had a faint pulse. The subject was transported to a local hospital where he died.  Officers interviewed a witness who saw the subject jump from the structure.  

 

Commercial Burglary – 1900 Block of Santa Monica Boulevard. In the early morning hours, officers responded to an audible burglary alarm at a business in the 1900 Block of Santa Monica Boulevard.  The officers found the front doors broken open.  The cash registers had been removed.  Surveillance footage was located, and the investigation is ongoing.

 

Vehicle Burglary – 1700 Block of Appian Way (Lot 3 South). The victim, a Turkish citizen visiting Santa Moncia, parked their rental car in the beach lot.  The suspect was seen on surveillance video entering the vehicle and stealing a large amount of cash from the glove box.

 

Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 1100 Block Alley 13.  Officers took a late report of an assault with a wooden baseball bat.  The homeless victim was struck on the side of the head.  He was able to transport himself to a local hospital.  The officers could not see any visible injuries. 

 

Criminal Threats / Resisting Arrest – 500 Block of Colorado Avenue - Alley Rear. Officers responded to a call for service regarding a possible trespassing at 502 Colorado. When officers approached the subject, he suddenly sprung up and attempted to attack the officers. A use of force occurred, and the subject was taken into custody without further incident. It was later learned suspect had threatened to kill the property manager when asked to leave the location.  The subject had a No Bail warrant. 

 

Commercial Burglary - 1400 Block of Ocean Avenue.  A subject is seen on the property via CCTV by security who contacted SMPD.  Arriving officers observed the subject, who made entry through a broken window on the second floor. 

 

Sex Offender Arrest - 1600 Block Alley 9.  HLP Officers conducted a periodic check of the alley and located a large encampment impeding traffic. Othe occupant was contacted and was discovered to be in violation of his status as a sex registrant. He was arrested without incident. Public Works’ HOST team responded and cleared the encampment

 

Robbery / Threats - 220 Broadway.  Loss Prevention staff physically struggled with a shoplifting suspect who refused to return stolen merchandise. The subject threatened to get a gun if security did not let him go.  He was eventually detained by loss prevention staff.  A second subject fled the scene and was detained in the 300 block of Colorado Avenue. No weapons were found. Total approx. loss/recovery: $930.00. 

 

Crime Impact Team (CIT)

 

WEEKLY STATS:

Special Deployments:

CIT, Special Policing Unit (SPU), and Criminal Investigation Division (CID) plain clothes personnel executed a search warrant at the American Motel. Several ounces of narcotics were seized, along with indicia of narcotic sales.  Three subjects were arrested for a variety of offenses, including possession of narcotics for sales, paraphernalia, warrants, and a parole hold.

CIT conducted a livability operation along the Wilshire Corridor that resulted in the following:

Incident of note:

CIT officers observed a subject who was in Reed Park and was known to be involved in narcotic sales. The subject was contacted, and a wants/warrant check revealed a $51k SMPD narcotics warrant. The subject was arrested.

CIT conducted a crime suppression/ intel operation in the Pico Neighborhood that resulted in the following: 

Incident of note:

CIT assisted CID with an arrest/ search warrant for a rape of a minor case. CID plain clothes detectives conducted surveillance of the subject’s residence in the City of Van Nuys and coordinated with CIT to stop the subject in his vehicle.  The subject was arrested, without incident. CIT members next assisted with the warrant service at the residence.

In Custody: JIHANYAN, Hovanes // 288(b) PC, 255.5 PC and 269 PC

Link to Press Release

Directed Action Response Team (DART)

WEEKLY STATS:

Police Department

Code Enforcement

CRIME REDUCTION EFFORTS/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

DART assisted the HLP TEAM with engagement of overnight RV campers in Lot 4 South and Lot 5 South

DART officers and Code Enforcement addressed recent tensions between Pier performers. The ongoing dispute amongst two parties led to a battery incident (no prosecution desired.) PD received info from Code Enforcement of another fight involving the Pier performers and a homeless individual.

DART officers responded to address a complaint of a loud generator operating out of a truck by the Regent. Code Enforcement issued notices of violation to the subject related to municipal code violations.

Notable Incidents:

Pier substation personnel received a citizen flag of a subject who was exposing himself.  The subject was also under the influence and was arrested.

DART officers responded to a disturbance of the peace at Shutters Hotel. The subject spit on a member of the security staff.  The victim was desirous of prosecution.  The charges will be filed by written complaint.

DART officers handled a call for service regarding a subject possibly needing a mental health hold.  The person did not meet the criteria for a hold; however, they were willing to go with the Therapeutic Transport Team to meet with service providers. 

DART officers conducted consensual encounter with a subject who is on probation for burglary. The subject was in possession of methamphetamine and a meth pipe.  Probation was contacted and a hold obtained.

DART officers contacted subject for being in possession of shopping cart. The individual had a $100,000 LAPD felony warrant for Elder Abuse. The subject was arrested.

A DART officer on the Pier was contacted by a subject who wished to turn himself in for a Felony Hit & Run warrant from Virginia. The subject was arrested and will be extradited for his warrant.

During a consensual contact of a subject in the 1200 Block of the Beach, officers performed a consent search and located narcotics.  A citation was issued and report completed.

DART officers contacted a subject for loitering under the Pier, a violation of the municipal code. The subject had a No Bail parole warrant and was arrested.

DART officers contacted a subject smoking in the 1100 Block of Palisades Park. A record check revealed a $51k SMPD Bench Warrant for Vandalism. The subject was arrested.

DART officers performed a sex offender compliance check and discovered the subject had a $100k SMPD warrant. He was arrested.

Community Engagement Team (CET)

The CET organized police officer participation in the inaugural PAL Shop With a Cop event hosted by Target on Wilshire.  The event provided gift cards for 20 PAL participants along with a police officer to help the child spend it on gifts for themselves and others.  The CET hopes this becomes a regular event.

Crime Prevention Coordinator (CPC) Barreto

CPC Barreto attended the Montana Holiday Walk, connected with residents, and took photos for posting on social media.

 

CPC Barreto attended the VAP park Teams Meeting on 12/9 and addressed some of the concerns from the Pico Library regarding ongoing Vandalism. CPC Barreto also finalized details for La Posada and Meet Me Under the Fig Tree.

 

CPC Barreto met with the SMPD Holiday Party planning committee to discuss final logistics.

 

CPC Barreto met with the City Attorney’s Office to discuss issues related to the Pavilions Motel administrative action and set up a time to visit the motel in the following week to review implementations of CPC Barreto’s security assessment.

 

CPC Barreto attended the PAL Wrap party with PIC Morrison, and NROs Wang and Hollowell.

 

CPC Barreto helped organize the SMPD Holiday Party. The planning committee ensured that the event ran smoothly and was cleaned and set up for the second serving.

 

CPC Barreto facilitated Community Academy after the class joined SMPD for their Holiday dinner. The Community Academy consisted of presentations from the Mounted Unit and from Explorers.

 

CPC Barreto led the upcoming Meet Me Under the Fig Tree and coordinated having a table with giveaways, K9 Jack, and the Mounted unit in attendance.

 

Beat 1: Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO) Hollowell and CPC Barreto

 

NRO Hollowell joined other CET personnel for La Posada at Virginia Avenue Park, a vibrant community event celebrating cultural traditions. Officers actively engaged with attendees. fostering positive connections with the community. The event brought together various units, C-Watch patrol, and leadership, including Chief Batista and Deputy Chief Jacob.

NRO Hollowell participated in the Meet Me Under the Fig Tree event at the Fairmont Hotel, which saw excellent attendance from the community. Officers joined in holiday festivities, including cookie decorating with children.

The Mounted and K-9 Units hosted a static display alongside the CEU hand out treats to attendees at the City Hall-i-day party. The event also provided an opportunity for the SMPD to connect with the new Councilmembers and mayor, further strengthening relationships with city leadership.

Beat 2: NRO Navarro and CPC Barreto

 

NRO Navarro and Galvan conducted Workplace Safety and Verbal De-Escalation Training for counselors at Clare on Pico Boulevard.  Program administrators were appreciative and requested the PowerPoint presentations. 

 

NRO Navarro and Galvan received complaints from a preschool in the 2500 Block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding homeless individuals setting up an encampment in the outside playground of the campus when they are closed.  NROs conducted periodic checks of location, and a referral was made to the HLP team to check during early morning hours.   School administrators were encouraged to add outdoor security components to be alerted when individuals trespass on the property. 

 

Beat 3: NRO Galvan and CPC Barreto

 

NRO Galvan attended the Pico Neighborhood Association monthly meeting.  Crime statistics and general safety questions were answered.  Security assessments were also discussed with the business owners on Pico Blvd due to a grant awarded to them by the city.  The business owners have been directed to CPC Barreto who will be completing security assessments in the upcoming weeks.  

 

NRO Galvan continued to collaborate with Code Compliance and SMFD regarding the multiple violations at a house on 26th Street.  Code compliance has issued notices for the trash, litter, debris, vegetation, rodent infestation, and other violations.  Code Compliance and SMFD will continue to monitor and inspect the property this week.  

 

NRO Galvan received a telephone call from a Mid-City Community group neighbor regarding the parking lot at 2428 Santa Monica Blvd.  The resident stated transients have been sleeping overnight in the parking lot.  NRO Galvan contacted property management and discussed the parking lot and the trespass authorization letter which was sent to property management to be completed.  HLP officers have been asked to check the parking lot in the early morning hours and will be notified by NRO Galvan when the trespass authorization letter is complete.  

 

Beat 4: NRO Wang and CPC Barreto

 

NRO Wang was contacted by Saint Paul Lutheran Church regarding a chronic trespasser on their property, an issue that has been ongoing for several months. A trespass authorization letter had already been filed. NRO Wang reached out to the HLP team for assistance. A plan was developed to contact the individual early in the morning and coordinate with DMH and other outreach programs.

 

NRO Wang responded to a noise complaint in the 1000 Block of Euclid Street. The property was heavily fortified, restricting access. The landlord was contacted, and the resident was informed of the complaint. Initially in denial, the resident was ultimately receptive to the concerns raised.

 

Community Affairs received a call from a resident who was targeted for a fraudulent donation to the Santa Monica Police Department.  This sparked NRO Wang to create a SCAM pamphlet directed towards the elderly population with tips and strategies to combat scams.  This week, NRO Wang visited the resident to thank her for reporting the solicitation.  As a token of his gratitude, Officer Wang gave her a department patch, SMPD badge keychain, and a copy of the SCAM pamphlet she inspired NRO Wang to make.

 

NRO Wang engaged with the community at Urth Café, where discussions were held with an artist interested in collaborating with Santa Monica Police Department on events and community outreach to promote peace.

Harbor Patrol Unit

 

Weekly Statistics:

 

Notable Incidents:

 

Fire Department / Lifeguard Assist: Harbor Services Officers (HSOs) monitored traffic on Lifeguard radio of a request for marine assets to respond to Malibu Pier for a possible fire on the pier.  The Franklin Fire in Malibu had started several hours prior and was clearly visible from the Santa Monica Pier.  The HSOs arrived at the pier and observed that the flames were very nearby on the hillside but that the pier itself was not on fire.  They updated Baywatch Del Rey Lifeguards and stood by until they arrived on scene.  The HSOs cleared and returned to the Santa Monica Pier, but advised Baywatch to let them know if the situation in Malibu changed and they would respond back to help.

Minor Medical Incident:  HSOs received a call of an injury at the Pier’s central restrooms. HSOs found the person suffering from a minor head injury caused by hitting their head on a metal frame.  The subject refused transportation and instead was taken by private vehicle to a local hospital.

Police Department Assist: Police officers and HSOs were dispatched to Bubba Gump's on the Pier for a subject suspected of defrauding an innkeeper (Section 537 Penal Code).  HSOs responded and checked the area, along with PD Officers. The subject was not located.

Fire Department Assist: HSOs were dispatched to Bubba Gump's Restaurant for a fire alarm.  SMFD did not have to respond.  An employee tripped the alarm when replacing a smoke detector. 

Disturbing the Peace: HSOs were coming back from a patrol when they were flagged by a witness of an argument between two individuals.  HSOs requested a police officer to back and the two individuals were separated.  Witnesses told the responding officers that one of the individuals climbed over the railing on the lower fishing deck just before the argument started.  Units contacted the subject and deescalated the situation.  The subject stated he had no thoughts of jumping off the Pier or hurting himself but admitted to being under the influence of alcohol.

Vessel Tow: HSOs were on patrol when they heard a skipper stating his vessel had lost power and that he was approximately a mile off the Santa Monica Pier.  HSOs responded via the Monica-1, located the vessel, and made contact.  The vessel was a 40-foot power boat with two people on board.  The owner of the vessel attempted to start his boat again, but with no success.  HSOs communicated with the Coast Guard and began towing the vessel to Marina del Rey where the boat was passed on to Sheriff’s officials for additional assistance.

Authored By

Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant

Categories

Programs, Safety