The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap October 26- November 1, 2024
November 4, 2024 5:16 PM
by Erika Aklufi
October 26-November 1, 2024
- This week the Community Affairs Unit (and the entire SMPD) celebrated the bittersweet retirement of Crime Prevention Coordinator Suzie Lockwood. Suzie will be fondly remembered for her 25 years of dedicated service to every member of the Santa Monica Community. While we are sorry to lose her compassion and commitment our residents and business owners, we fervently wish her well in her next chapter. We will miss you, Suzie!
- Drone Presentation at VAP: Students at Virginia Avenue Park got a unique, front-row seat to witness our Drone as a First Responder program in action! They learned how drones help our officers respond faster, increase safety, and give us a whole new perspective on the community. Thanks to everyone who joined us for an exciting day of tech, teamwork, and discovery!
- Movie in the Park: The “Nightmare Before Christmas” evening was a fantastic success, drawing families and friends for a cozy, Halloween-themed movie night under the stars. Attendees enjoyed free face painting and festive decorations. Laughter and excitement filled the air as everyone settled in with picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs, creating a memorable, community-focused night. (photo received from a participant that thanked the department for their continued efforts)
- On October 30th, SMPD’s Community Affairs Unit received the 2024 Police Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) Centurion Award for Excellence in Community Policing. The team was celebrated for its ongoing work cultivating positive relationships with all of Santa Monica’s stakeholders, including our neighborhood groups, business owners, faith-based organizations and more.
Department-wide Statistics
Total Calls for Service (CFS): 2,486. YTD (through 10/26): 107,725
Source of calls:
- Citizen Initiated: 1,467 calls for service. 65,083 YTD (60% of total CFS).
- Officer Initiated: 1,019 calls for service. 42,642 YTD (40% of total CFS).
- Disposition for CFS: Homeless related = 18% YTD.
- Encampment Calls: 47. 1,400 YTD.
- 5150 Calls: 14. 567 YTD.
- Arrests: 56 total arrests. 2,305 YTD.
Patrol Operations Division
Notable Incidents:
- Traffic Collision - 14th Street/ E-Line (Train v. Car). The driver of a Tesla traveling eastbound on Colorado made an illegal left turn toward northbound 14th Street, striking an eastbound E-Line train. There were no injuries. The Tesla sustained damage rendering it undrivable and the train sustained minor damage to its lead car. Traffic lanes for eastbound Colorado and northbound 14th St were closed for a little over an hour. The vehicle was towed and the train continued to 4th Street.
- Traffic Collision with Injuries / Suicide – 1400 Block of Cloverfield Blvd. A traffic collision occurred between a pickup truck and a motorcycle. The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and was able to move out of the roadway. The pickup driver pulled over on Cloverfield at the intersection with Schader Drive and stopped. When the motorcyclist approached the vehicle, one gunshot was heard. Officers responded to check the scene and confirmed the driver of the truck was deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The coroner responded.
- Felony Battery at The Victorian – 2640 Main Street. The suspect and victim started an argument as they exited The Victorian. Initially, the victim was the aggressor but became the victim when the suspect body slammed the victim, rendering him unconscious. The suspect then punched the downed victim several times in the face. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious, non-life-threatening head injuries. The suspect was arrested and booked for felony battery.
- Felony Hit & Run / DUI - Ocean Avenue and California Avenue – Felony H&R / DUI. The suspect vehicle struck the victim while fleeing from a traffic collision. Officers located the Hit and Run vehicle and detained the occupants. Evidence from the crime scene matched the suspect vehicle. The driver was arrested for felony Hit and Run and Driving Under the Influence.
- Criminal Threats / Carry Concealed Firearm – 2640 Main Street. The suspect was escorted out of the Victorian by security staff due to intoxication and unruly behavior. The suspect told security staff he was going to retrieve a firearm and return. The suspect entered his vehicle, drove it into the driveway of the business, and exited the vehicle with a firearm and approached security. A crowd of onlookers alerted security the suspect was armed, and the suspect returned to the vehicle and secured the firearm in the trunk. Security detained the suspect until officers arrived.
- Criminal Threats / Carry Concealed Firearm - 1515 Ocean Avenue. The victim and suspect were involved in a verbal altercation while driving their vehicles. During the altercation, the suspect displayed a firearm out of the window of his vehicle and told the victim he would shoot him. In fear, the victim pulled over at Arizona Avenue/Ocean Avenue and waited for officers. The suspect was located and positively identified by the victim; the firearm was located in the suspect vehicle.
- Traffic Stop / Gun Arrest – Ocean Avenue & Bay Street. Officers conducted a traffic stop for multiple equipment violations. A loaded handgun was recovered from one of the occupants. A second loaded handgun was located behind the stereo. All four occupants (two adults and two juveniles) were arrested. Both adults were convicted felons.
Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team
HLP Team Stats
- 132 - Calls for service
- 38- 311 requests handled
- 112 - Self-initiated activity
- 1 - Felony arrest
- 1 - Misdemeanor arrest
- 39/11 - Field interviews/warnings
- 12 - Citations
- 100 - Referrals to services
- 3 - 5150 holds completed
- 8 - Encampments addressed
DMH/HLP Clinician Stats
- 5 - Referral to services thru DMH
- 6 - 5150 evaluations (3 holds)
Meetings and Collaborations
The HLP Team along with the City’s Human Services Division (HSD), Salvation Army, Clare Matrix, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM), West Coast Care, and The People Concern/ C3 conducted a joint operation on the beach specifically focused on outreach and enforcement to address various homelessness related concerns. Fourteen subjects were contacted during the operation which resulted with many accepting services from the various providers listed.
Projects
During a livability operation on the beach, HLP Team Officers contacted a male subject in the 1200 Block of the Beach who has been homeless in the Santa Monica area for 3 to 4 years. DTSM personnel provided the subject with an ID voucher and they were referred to Samoshel for housing.
Special Details
Weekend monthly HLP overtime detail operations (Ocean Front Walk/Sunrise Detail) were conducted four times during the week. The areas of focus were several identified hotspots along Ocean Front Walk, the beach, and parks. The operations resulted in the following stats:
- 1 Citation
- 1 Felony Arrest
- 10 Field Interviews
- 2 Radio Calls
- 1 5150 Hold
- Multiple Periodic Checks- Beach, Ocean Front Walk, Main Street, Douglas Park, Virginia Park, Ishihara Park, Clover Park
- 3 Written Warnings
- Notable Incidents
HLP Officers were conducting a Periodic Check in the 2000 Block of Ocean Front Walk and observed an encampment. The subject was contacted, and a records check revealed the subject had an outstanding felony warrant from an outside agency. The subject was placed under arrest without incident. HLP Officers further located drug paraphernalia. The encampment was removed.
HLP Officers responded to the 2900 Block of Neilson Way regarding a subject in the area who has been the source of multiple radio calls and 311 requests. The subject has been issued citations and verbally advised regarding his encampment. The subject was again contacted regarding an encampment and subsequently placed under arrest. The DMH Clinician assigned to the HLP Team was on scene and conducted a 5150 evaluation. The subject was placed on a 5150 hold for danger to others and for being gravely disabled. Mariposa responded to the scene and removed the encampment.
Crime Impact Team (CIT)
WEEKLY STATS:
- 10 Traffic Stops
- 9 Ped Stops
- 3 Bike Stops
- 3 Felony Arrests
- 1 Misdemeanor Arrests
- 2 Citations
- 5 Field Interviews
- 5 Radio Calls
CIT conducted a crime suppression operation in the Pico Neighborhood. The following was the activity:
- 1 Felony Arrest
- 3 Traffic Stops
- 2 Pedestrian Stops
- 2 Field Interviews
- 3 Radio Calls
Periodic checks at the following parks (no new graffiti of note):
- Clover Park
- Ishihara Park
- Gandara Park
- Virginia Park
CIT conducted a crime suppression operation in the DTSM footprint yielding the following activity:
- 3 Traffic Stops
- 2 Pedestrian Stops
- 3 Field Interviews
- 1 Felony Arrest
Notable Incidents:
- CIT officers responded to a call of a robbery committed by a subject armed with a knife at 1865 Lincoln Blvd. Officers located the possible suspect who refused commands and fled. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended and subsequently arrested. Additionally, the suspect was a Parolee at Large.
- CIT Officers conducted a pedestrian stop for a municipal code violation in the 100 Block of Wilshire Blvd. The officers determined the subject had $81K of warrants for narcotics crimes. The suspect was searched incident to arrest, and he was found to be in possession of several credit cards that were not in his name. Further investigative follow up discovered the cards were linked to a vehicle burglary committed early in the day.
- CIT officers assisted detectives with the service of an arrest warrant for a sexual assault suspect. Detectives set up surveillance on the suspect’s residence and when he left, coordinated with CIT officers to take them in custody. The suspect was arrested without incident.
Directed Action Response Team (DART)
Code Enforcement:
- 92 Contacts, including 36 verbal and 7 written warnings
- 2 Citations
SMPD:
- 5 Citations
- 13 Field Interviews
- 6 Arrests
- 16 Encampments Advised / Removed
Notable Incidents:
- DART officers contacted a subject who was in a tent near Tower 29. The subject attempted to flee. When in custody and placed in handcuffs, the suspect kicked one of the officers multiple times in the shins causing a minor injury. The suspect was arrested and booked for the municipal code violation, battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
- DART officers contacted a subject who was smoking on the beach near Tower 13. The subject lied about his name and a fingerprint reader was used to identify him as a parolee and a sex registrant out of compliance. The subject was wanted for removing his GPS tracker. The subject was also in possession of meth and a meth pipe.
- DART officers contacted a subject drinking alcohol on the beach. Upon investigation, officers determined the subject was a 16-year-old from San Diego. The subject’s mother was unaware of his location or the adults with him. The juvenile was driven to the police station to await their mother from San Diego. San Diego DCFS was notified.
- DART officers contacted a subject for a municipal code violation and found he was a parolee at large. The subject was on parole for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The subject was also a sex registrant in violation.
- DART officers contacted a subject in the 1700 Block of the Beach for possession of narcotics in plain view. The subject was on probation for narcotics.
Community Affairs Unit (CAU)
- Community Academy week #3: City Attorney’s Office and OEM (Communications Center)
- The CAU collaborated with the Drug Enforcement Agency in the biannual Prescription Drug Take-back Event. Community members disposed of unwanted prescription drugs to be destroyed by DEA. Five boxes of unwanted prescription medication were filled during the event.
Beat 1 – NRO Hollowell with CPC Lockwood
- NRO Hollowell along with Public Information Coordinator Morrison assisted with a presentation from LA County Sheriff's Homicide Unit regarding an attempted homicide of two deputies. The presentation covered management of the investigation and lessons learned. NRO Hollowell and PIC Morrison completed a walkthrough of the location and produced the run of show. As the hosting agency of the presentation, CAU wanted to ensure that our Criminal Investigations Division and the department were represented well. PIC Morrison worked on the slide deck and the visuals for the presentation. NRO Hollowell ensured the run show was kept, and time management of the event space was handled. NRO Hollowell set up the event with the venue staff of The Milken Institute (4th / Arizona Ave). Seven different agencies were in attendance.
- NRO Hollowell along with Big Blue Bus Training staff went to Gardena Commercial DMV to take his Class B license test. NRO Hollowell passed and received his license. NRO Hollowell will be assisting with driving the Mobile Command Post for operations. Congratulations NRO Hollowell.
Beat 3 – NRO Galvan with CPC Barreto
- NRO Galvan received a phone call from a resident in the 1500 Block of 16th Street with a complaint about a transient sleeping and loitering in the alley. HLP was notified and periodic checks were completed. The resident was also given information regarding a trespass authorization letter.
- NRO Galvan received a phone call from a concerned resident regarding parents dropping off SAMO students at the intersection of 6th Street and Bay Street at the marked red curb line in the morning and after school. TSO supervisors were made aware of the violation and initiated periodic checks for enforcement and education.
- The CAU was invited to the Global Security Awareness Day hosted by Snapchat. Security tips were presented, and questions were answered.
Beat 4 – NRO Wang with CPC Lockwood
- NRO Wang inquired about a van that was parked in the 700 Block of Ocean Avenue. Residents were suspicious of this van due to it being parked for several days. The van was not at the location. NRO Wang will continue monitoring this.
- NRO Wang was contacted by Architectural Services regarding the chain link fencing around Miles Playhouse at Reed Park. NRO Wang provided suggestions about banner and screen ideas.
- NRO Wang has been working with the Code Enforcement regarding a business in the 1500 Block of Wilshire Boulevard. There have been numerous complaints regarding excessive noise and other violations.
- NRO Wang was contacted by Whole Foods regarding an incident with an unruly customer. NRO Wang confirmed the incident was handled and no further action was needed.
- A local synagogue contacted NRO Wang regarding planning an event with their youth group and Officers. NRO Wang will be organizing a “Cookies with a Cop” event and a station tour for the youth group.
- NRO Wang was contacted by a store owner in the 1300 Block of Montana Avenue regarding a theft investigation, where the manager is still assessing the loss. NRO Wang will follow up with store staff to discuss preventative measures.
- NRO Wang was notified of a vacant building in the 1000 Block of 5th Street. NRO Wang will be checking on the location as well as coordinating with Code Enforcement to prevent possible issues down the road.
Authored By
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant