The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap October 12- October 18, 2024
October 21, 2024 12:51 PM
by Erika Aklufi
Tech Fair- The Santa Monica Tech Fair held on Monday, October 14th, showcased cutting edge technology and innovation in the heart of the City! SMPD actively participated, featuring our Mobile Command Post and drone display that highlighted the advancements in law enforcement technology. Alongside these exhibits, the recruitment team engaged with attendees, providing information on career opportunities and demonstrating how technology is integrated into modern policing.
Ongoing Community Engagement – Chief Batista, Captain Flores, and the Beat 1 & 2 Community Affairs Team attended the Ocean Park Association’s monthly meeting held at the Ocean Park Library to engage in meaningful dialogue about local crime trends and the department’s ongoing efforts to impact criminal behavior. The meeting provided an opportunity to hear residents’ concerns firsthand and to share the proactive measures the department is taking to address them.
Department-wide Statistics
Total Calls for Service (CFS): 2,287. YTD (through 10/12): 102,850
Source of calls:
- Citizen Initiated: 1,456 calls for service. 62,163 YTD (60% of total CFS).
- Officer Initiated: 831 calls for service. 40,687 YTD (40% of total CFS).
- Disposition for CFS: Homeless related = 18% YTD.
- Encampment Calls: 35. 1,317 YTD.
- 5150 Calls: 16. 539 YTD.
Arrests: 64 total arrests. 2,201 YTD.
Patrol Operations Division
Notable Incidents:
- On October 14th, our officers responded to a Shots Fired call at the SMC Center for Media and Design Campus on Stewart Street. Officers found a female employee with a gunshot wound. She was transported by SMFD to a local hospital in critical condition. The SMPD took charge of the investigation and, with the assistance of Hawthorne PD, located the suspect driving in their city. Following a short pursuit and attempted negotiation, the suspect in the attempted homicide died by a self-inflicted gunshot.
- Stolen Vehicle - Lincoln Blvd and Pico Blvd. Officers observe a suspicious vehicle, complete a license plate check of it, and determine the vehicle was stolen in Torrance the prior day. Officers stop the vehicle and detain five juveniles. The juveniles were later released to their respective families.
- Municipal Code/ Sex Registrant Arrest - 100 Block of Palisades Park. HLP Officers checking the area for encampments related to a 311 request. They observe an encampment on the bluff side of the park. The subject contacted in the encampment was a sex registrant out of compliance and was found in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen credit card. The encampment was removed.
- Lewd Conduct - 1100 Block of 9th Street. Officers responded to a call for service of a male subject masturbating in front of a residence. Officers contacted the subject and determined he was a Parolee at Large. During a subsequent search of the subject, officers located drug paraphernalia. The subject was transported to LA County Jail for a parole hold.
- Municipal Code / Sex Registrant - 1600 Block Appian Way. HLP Officers observe a subject in violation of a municipal code. The subject admits to having a meth pipe. He was also in possession of methamphetamine and is later determined to be out of compliance with his requirements to register as a sex offender.
- Injured Person – Structure 2 (1235 2nd Street). SMPD and SMFD responded to a 911 call of an injured person at Structure 2. The subject was located and immediately transported to the hospital for treatment of severe lower body trauma. Based on statements from the injured person’s friends and other witnesses, officers were able to confirm that while returning to his car, the individual decided to take a short cut from the 3rd floor to the second floor by jumping over the wire railing, lost his footing, and fell to the street.
- Downed Power Lines – 1100 to 1400 Blocks of Montana Avenue. SMPD and SMFD responded to multiple 911 calls of live power lines down on Montana Avenue. Officers worked to shut down the street and an SM Alert was issued. On-scene SMPD supervisors coordinated with SMFD and Edison to deactivate the lines and help with traffic control.
- Residential Burglary – 400 Block of 25th St. The victim left home for about two hours and returned to find their home ransacked. Suspect(s) made entry into the house through an open second-floor bedroom window. Forensics responded.
- Public View Death (Suicide) - 23rd Street and Arizona Ave (St. Johns Hospital property). Hospital security officers on routine patrol discover a deceased homeless male seated beneath a tree with one end of a hose tied around his neck and the other around a tree branch. The decedent pronounced by SMFD. Privacy screens utilized. Coroner responded. CID notified.
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 17th Street and Pico Blvd. The victim was walking on sidewalk and struck unprovoked by a suspect with metal bat or rod. Responding officers were unable to locate suspect in area. SMCPD Advised.
- Arson Arrest [CHP Handle] – I-10 Embankment at Lincoln Boulevard Bridge (Underneath). A homeless suspect lit several pieces of furniture on fire along the southside embankment of the I-10 under Lincoln Boulevard. SMFD responded to extinguish the fire. SMPD officers detained the suspect and assisted with traffic control. California Highway Patrol officers are handled the arrest and booking. Caltrans responded to evaluate the integrity of the bridge prior to reopening the overcrossing.
- Criminal Threats Arrest - 10th Street and Montana Ave. A homeless suspect approached a homeless victim at a bus bench and asked him for a cigarette. When the victim declined, the suspect displayed a knife and stated he would kill the victim.
Crime Impact Team (CIT)
Weekly Stats:
- Traffic Stops - 17
- Ped Stops -13
- Bike Stops - 6
- Felony Arrests - 5
- Misdemeanor Arrests - 2
- Citations - 3
- Field Interviews - 12
- Radio Calls - 9
CIT conducted a livability operation in Palisades Park, the 1500 to 2900 Blocks of Ocean Front Walk, and the DTSM footprint, yielding the following:
- Traffic Stops- 4
- Pedestrian Stops - 3
- Bike Stops- 1
- Felony Arrests - 1
- Misdemeanor Arrests - 1
- Citations - 1
- Field Interviews – 3
DART coordinated an operation with CIT, LA County Probation and the District Attorney’s office. The targeted areas were the Pier, Ocean Front Walk, the beach, and DTSM. The following was CIT’s activity during the operation:
- Traffic Stops - 5
- Pedestrian Stops – 6
- Bike Stops – 1
- Felony Arrests – 2
- Field Interviews – 3
CIT conducted a crime suppression operation in the Wilshire corridor, with a focus west of 11th Street. The follow was the activity:
- Traffic Stops - 5
- Pedestrian Stops - 4
- Bike Stops - 2
- Felony Arrests - 2
- Field Interviews – 3
Notable Incidents:
- CIT officers observed a known probationer in 2000 Block of the Beach smoking, a violation of 4.44.050(a)(4) SMMC- Smoking on the beach. LA County Probation was contacted, and a hold was obtained. A Stay Away Order was requested.
- Officers received information from WE TIP regarding a driver possibly selling narcotics. The officer located and stopped the vehicle near Ocean and Montana. The driver was contacted, and officers confirmed he is a marijuana delivery driver. A Field Interview was completed and the WE TIP closed “Checks Okay.”
- CIT officers contacted a subject in the 1200 block of Alley 4. During the consensual encounter, the subject stated he was on probation and had outstanding warrants. During a search, the subject was found in possession of a deadly weapon (Slungshot) and drug paraphernalia. The subject was arrested for the warrant, weapon, and paraphernalia and transported to the jail for booking.
- Officers contact a group of four subjects drinking in the rear parking lot of 805 Wilshire Blvd. One of the subjects stated he was on probation for car theft. During a search of the probationer, officers located methamphetamine, a meth pipe, and burglary tools. LA County Probation was contacted, and they issued a hold. The other subjects were interviewed and released.
- Officers conduct a traffic stop at 22nd and Pico for a DUI investigation. The driver was found to be under the influence and in possession of a dirk/ dagger.
- Officers contacted a subject in the 600 Block of Arizona. The subject was on parole and in possession of a meth pipe. He also had an outstanding warrant.
Directed Action Response Team (DART)
SMPD:
- 2 Citations
- 5 Field Interviews
- 12 Arrests
- 6 Encampments Advised / Removed
Notable Incidents:
- Municipal Code Violation - 2400 Block of the Beach. DART officers contacted a subject in an encampment who is known from prior contacts and enforcement. The subject was arrested for public camping.
- Public Intoxication – 1600 Block of the Beach. DART officers responded to a radio call of two intoxicated subjects, both juveniles, who were extremely intoxicated. They were transported to a local hospital for observation. Family members were notified and took custody of the subjects at the hospital.
- Municipal Code Violation - 1500 Block Palisades Park. DART officers contacted three subjects for public camping and performed a criminal history check. One of the subjects returned with NO BAIL Parole Warrant from San Bernardino County. The subject was arrested and transported to LA County Jail for transfer to San Bernardino.
- Pedestrian Stop - 1500 Block of Court 4. During a pedestrian stop, DART conducted a criminal history check of a subject and found he had a $250K warrant for Assault with a Deadly Weapon from LAPD. Officers transported the subject to LAPD’s Pacific Division for booking.
- Municipal Code – 500 Block of Olympic Boulevard. DART officers contacted five individuals for a municipal code violation. One subject was issued a citation for possession of a methamphetamine pipe. The second subject was arrested for possession of brass knuckles and a meth pipe. A third subject was arrested for possession of a meth pipe and a probation violation.
Directed Action Response Team (DART)
Special Operation
Santa Monica, CA – On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Santa Monica Police Department Directed Action Response Team (DART) coordinated a special crime suppression operation. DART was assisted in the operation by the SMPD Crime Impact Team (CIT) and Special Problems Unit (SPU) as well as two outside agency teams: LA County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation Community Violence Reduction Team (8 Investigators and 1 Supervisor) and LA County Probation Department (1 Officer).
The focus of the operation was to address high crime areas in Santa Monica including the beach, Pier, downtown business district (DTSM) and the downtown parks. Outside agencies were partnered with SMPD personnel and deployed in Multi-Utility Vehicles, beach trucks, and patrol cars.
The officer from LA County Probation provided valuable assistance by obtaining two probation holds for violations during the investigations. Multiple arrests were made during the operation and several weapons and quantities of drugs were taken off the street.
Notable Arrest:
A team of DART Officers and LADA Investigators conducted a periodic check of Tongva Park. During a consensual encounter of two subjects near the children’s play area officers found one of the subjects was in possession of a dirk/dagger and methamphetamine. The second subject was also in possession of methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested.
Operation Stats:
- Arrests: 14
- 4 Felony Arrests- Possession of Dirk/Dagger (3 incidents), No Bail (Felony) Parole Warrant
- 10 Misdemeanor Arrests
- Citations: 11
- Field Interviews: 13
This operation is one of an ongoing series of special crime suppression efforts in Santa Monica coordinated by various teams within the police department.
Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team
The HLP Team sergeant participated in a freeway survey with staff from Public Works and CalTrans. The staff from CalTrans provided updates and highlighted work performed on various locations along the Santa Monica stretch of the I-10 Freeway. All parties discussed future projects, areas for collaboration, and maintaining open channels of communication to address encampment issues in a timely manner.
Weekend monthly HLP overtime detail operations (Ocean Front Walk/Sunrise Detail) were conducted twice during the week. The areas of focus were several identified hotspots along Ocean Front Walk and the beach. The operations resulted in the following stats:
- 2 written warnings for tent on the beach
- Several periodic checks along Ocean Front Walk (400 to 2900 block)
- A theft report from Shutters Hotel
- HLP Officers extended resources to homeless individuals who set up an encampment in the 1500 block of Palisades Park. The HOST Team came after the individuals left and removed the remaining abandoned property and trash.
- Contract maintenance employees requested the HLP Team’s assistance in removing a hidden encampment on the hillside between the parking lot and Ocean Ave in Lot 4 South. During the work, HLP Officers observed a woman sleeping in an SUV with two children and two dogs. After contacting the woman, she explained how she and her children became homeless and were now living out of her vehicle. HLP Officers called Salvation Army and made an appointment for them to connect. The family underwent the intake process and are now in the process of obtaining a motel voucher and eventual permanent housing.
- HLP Team Officers were approached by our department’s Juvenile Diversion Administrator seeking help to find services for a homeless family (dad and two sons) who were sleeping in a local park for over two weeks. HLP Officers connected the family with the Salvation Army and started the intake process. Due to the nature of this family’s situation a motel voucher was issued immediately, and the family was temporarily housed and the children enrolled in school. St Joseph Center is now in the loop searching for a more permanent housing option that will suit this family’s needs. Great team effort and collaboration of resources.
- HLP Officers were checking the 100 Block of Palisades Park for encampments related to a 311 request when they observe an encampment on the bluff side of the park. A subject contacted in the encampment is an out of compliance sex registrant. He is arrested without incident. A search incident to arrest located methamphetamine, paraphernalia, and a stolen credit card. The encampment was removed.
- HLP Officers in the 1600 Block of Appian Way observed a subject in violation of a municipal code. The subject admitted to having a meth pipe and he was arrested without incident. Officers later recover methamphetamine and discover the subject is a sex offender who is out of compliance with his registration requirement.
Community Affairs Unit (CAU)
Our 58th Community Academy started this week with 16 participants. Over the course of the 10-week class, participants engage with our Command Staff, see behind the scenes of different units, and network with fellow community members.
The Community Affairs Unit participated in Coffee with a Cop at Target, 1610 Wilshire Blvd. It was very well attended by residents and those associated with the surrounding businesses.
NRO Wang coordinated and participated in a general safety meeting with library staff at Main Library. Training consisted of evacuation strategist and active threat procedures. There were approximately 70 employees in attendance.
Beat 1 – NRO Hollowell with CPC Lockwood
- NRO Hollowell met with Target Store Assets Protection personnel at the 5th and Broadway store to discuss on-going issues within and in the parking area of the Target Store. Recently, Target acquired a mobile lighting, audible warning, and camera trailer to assist with issues in the store parking lot located in the parking lot of the location. NRO Hollowell is working with Asset Protection to correctly locate the trailer and ensure the correct volume for broadcasts. Asset Protection expressed gratitude for recent theft operations conducted by the Downtown Services Unit. Target has acquired a new security company and is working on getting them acclimated with the city of Santa Monica and the 500 Broadway location. NRO Hollowell will continue the relationship with Target to ensure we have an open line of communication.
Beat 2 – NRO Navarro with CPC Barreto
- NRO Navarro attended the Pico Improvement Organization Community Meeting. Crime statistics were shared, and questions were answered. Board members expressed their concern for the attempted murder of our officer and appreciated the dangerous work done daily by all PD employees.
- NRO Navarro received a complaint of a pick-up truck stealing recyclables on the 500 block of Ashland Ave during evening hours. NRO Navarro conducted an evening check of the location, and the vehicle was not located. Further checks during evening and day hours will occur.
- NRO Navarro conducted a canvas of the area around “Church on Pearl” (1520 Pearl St.) looking for security surveillance with respect to a burglary that occurred as part of his investigative assignment. No visible camera seen but SRO Angel was contacted and will try to review John Adams Middle School video footage.
- NRO Navarro in contact with a resident regarding coffee shop Kavahana (306 Pico Blvd). Reporting Party adamant the business is in violation of noise ordinances in addition to overstepping their business license. RP requested an evening check which was done, and no noise disturbance was found. NRO Navarro had lengthy conversation with owner and manager and no need to refer to Code Enforcement at this time. Reporting party advised and will follow up with information as needed.
- NRO Navarro scheduled a meeting between Starbucks administration (at their request) and the department at the PSF. Several questions were provided in advanced and NRO Navarro is in contact with their law enforcement liaison to address any other matters.
Beat 3 – NRO Galvan with CPC Barreto
- NRO Galvan along with CPC Barreto completed a security assessment in the 2600 Block of 4th St.
- NRO Galvan continued walking the Wilshire corridor from the 1400 block to the 1600 block. NRO Galvan contacted several business and merchants speaking to them about how the police department works in collaboration with the merchants to combat window smash burglaries. In addition, SMMC sleeping in doorway violation signs given for business owners to post.
Beat 4 – NRO Wang with CPC Lockwood
- NRO Wang transported patrol vehicles to Impero Motorsports in LA to have them outfitted for the Pink Patch Project.
- NRO Wang was contacted by a resident regarding a chronic transient subject in the 1000 block of Euclid Court. NRO Wang coordinated assistance with the HLP team to address the person and try and connect them with services.
- NRO Wang was contacted by a resident regarding noise from a karaoke bar at 1519 Wilshire Blvd (La Condesa). NRO Wang coordinated with Code Enforcement who is aware of the potential violations. NRO Wang contacted the headquarters of the establishment and will be monitoring this issue.
- Wise and Healthy Aging (1527 4th St) contacted NRO Wang regarding transient activity and a possible attempted catalytic converter theft. NRO Wang will be conducting Periodic Checks.
- Code Enforcement contacted NRO Wang regarding hazardous and unsanitary conditions occurring at a residence on 17th Street. NRO Wang conducted a premise history check and did not see any notable incidences. NRO Wang suggested patrol to assist with a door knock with DMH if needed. NRO Wang also suggested a report to Adult Protective Services and will be monitoring.
Authored By
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant