The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap October 5- October 12, 2024
October 15, 2024 7:38 AM
by Erika Aklufi
October 5-October 12, 2024
Gun Arrest: Early Saturday morning on October 5, 2024, officers conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. During the stop, the front passenger informed officers that a rifle was inside the car, prompting the detention of all five occupants. Upon searching the vehicle, officers also discovered a loaded handgun and open alcohol containers. All five individuals were arrested on multiple charges, including carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm, and parole violation.
Station Tour: A group of very excited VAP participants visited the Public Safety Facility for an educational tour, where they got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep our community safe. Officers warmly welcomed the children, guiding them through various parts of the station, including the dispatch center, and even provided a peek inside a patrol car. Chief Batista served as a special guest and fielded questions for the students.
Department-wide Statistics
Total Calls for Service (CFS): 2,632. YTD (through 10/05): 100,563
Source of calls:
- Citizen Initiated: 1,486 calls for service. 60,707 YTD (60% of total CFS).
- Officer Initiated: 1,146 calls for service. 39,856 YTD (40% of total CFS).
- Disposition for CFS: Homeless related = 18% YTD.
- Encampment Calls: 33. 1,282 YTD.
- 5150 Calls: 11. 523 YTD.
- Arrests: 57 total arrests. 2,137 YTD.
Patrol Operations Division
Notable Incidents
- On October 5th, one of our officers was attacked and seriously injured in front of the police station. In the aftermath, we received an outpouring of support and shared strength from our community. Thank you to our residents and business owners who offered their compassion, kindness, and unity on that day and going forward.
- Domestic Violence - 3rd Street and Marine Street. Suspect and victim (dating relationship) are visiting the LA area to attend a convention. Suspect and victim start to argue. The suspect attacks the victim, who falls to the ground and hits her head. The suspect flees in the vehicle and is apprehended by officers several blocks away.
- Known Suspect Arrest – 9th Street and Pico Boulevard. Officers actively searching for the suspect listed on a wanted person bulletin locate and arrest him near Eddie’s Liquor on Pico. The individual was wanted for an Assault with a Deadly Weapon that occurred in August in Santa Monica.
- Traffic Stop/Gun Arrest - Neilson Way and Wadsworth. Patrol officers stopped a vehicle for a stop sign violation. Upon contacting the occupants, the front passenger told the officers he had a rifle in the car. The front passenger moved his leg and displayed a rifle between the front passenger seat and the center console. All five occupants were detained. One passenger was on parole for Robbery. The car was searched, and a handgun was recovered from the rear passenger area.
- Criminal Threats / Weapons Violation – 1400 Block Lincoln Boulevard (High Smoke Shop). The suspect was upset about a refused sale at the location and threatened to stab the employees with a knife. Officers detained the suspect in the 100 Block of Broadway still in possession of the knife.
- Auto Theft – Public Parking Lot @850 Pacific Coast Highway. Officers responded to the parking lot for a Grand Theft Auto that just occurred. A LA County lifeguard left his truck running at lifeguard HQ while he went inside. When he returned, his truck was gone. Lifeguards and officers found the truck parked at the Jonathan Club’s parking lot with the subject in the driver’s seat and the engine running. The truck was successfully blocked in. The subject refused to comply with commands or negotiations and ultimately officers broke the driver’s window and took the subject into custody.
- Burglary – 1600 Block of 26th Street. The property manager arrived and observed clothing on the sidewalk, a broken window, and a subject inside the closed business. Responding officers saw a subject running on the second floor. Officers surrounded the area and then used a K9-Officer team for the search. The subject was located and arrested.
- Vandalism – Public Safety Facility. The subject was at police headquarters to recover his impounded vehicle. He became enraged and damaged one of the glass panels of our historical display in the lobby.
- Stolen Vehicle - Lincoln Blvd / Pico Blvd. Officers on patrol ran the license plate of a vehicle and learned it was stolen in Torrance the prior day. Officers stopped the vehicle and detained five juveniles. The juveniles were cited and released to their respective families.
Directed Action Response Team (DART)
Code Enforcement:
- 116 Contacts, including 37 verbal and 6 written warnings
DART:
- 9 Citations
- 12 Field Interviews
- 10 Arrests
- 13 Encampments Advised / Removed
Notable Incidents:
- Warrant Arrest - 1400 Block of the Beach. A homeless subject was contacted by DART officers during a consensual encounter. The suspect had a warrant from SMPD for resisting arrest and trespassing.
- Municipal Code / 1500 Block of the Beach. DART contacted a subject for camping. The subject was also in possession of drug paraphernalia. The subject was cited and released.
- Municipal Code / 2600 block of Ocean Front Walk. DART Officers contacted a subject for encampment violation. Drug paraphernalia observed in plain view. The subject lied about his name. Officers learned the subject was on probation for drugs; a hold was granted, and the subject was transported to County Jail.
Crime Impact Team (CIT)
Weekly Stats:
- 30 - Traffic Stops
- 10 – Ped Stops
- 3 – Bike Stops
- 4 - Felony Arrests
- 2 – Misdemeanor Arrests
- 4 – Citations
- 13 – Field Interviews
- 5 - Radio Calls
The Crime Impact conducted periodic checks at all Jewish Synagogues within the city.
The Crime Impact Team saturated the Wilshire corridor area and completed the following:
- Traffic Stops - 15
- Pedestrian Stops – 3
- Felony Arrest– 1
- Field Interview – 3
The Crime Impact Team, along with the DART and other resources, conducted a burglary operation in the Beat 4 area, yielding the following:
- Felony Arrests– 4
- Citations – 4
- Field Interviews – 10
- Traffic Stops– 15
- Pedestrian Stops – 7
- Bike Stops- 3
Incidents of Note:
- Municipal Code / Drug Possession Arrest – 1700 Block of 15th Street. Officers observe a subject in violation of the municipal code. The subject was found in possession of fentanyl and paraphernalia.
- Traffic Stop / 900 Block of 22nd Street. Officers observe several vehicle code violations and stop the driver. The passenger attempted to flee the location but was stymied by a locked pedestrian gate to the side of a building. Officers took both subjects into custody without further incident. An investigation revealed the subjects were in possession of burglary tools, stolen mail, and narcotics. Both subjects were arrested, and their vehicle was towed.
- Warrant Arrest – Lincoln Boulevard/Olympic Boulevard. While on patrol, officers recognized a known sex offender. The subject was contacted and found to have a “No Bail” warrant.
Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team
HLP Team Stats
- 136 - Calls for service
- 38- 311 requests handled
- 107 - Self-initiated activity
- 1 - Misdemeanor arrests
- 10 - Field interviews/warnings
- 10 - Citations
- 107 - Referrals to services
- 1 - 5150 holds completed
- 11 - Encampments addressed
DMH/HLP Clinician Stats
- 7 - Referral to services thru DMH
- 4 - 5150 evaluations (3 holds)
Incidents of Note:
- HLP Team Officers initially contacted a male subject in Clover Park several weeks ago who has an 18-year employment history in the City of Santa Monica and has been homeless for approximately three years. The individual expressed interest in employment and housing resources. At his request, HLP Team Officers referred and transported the individual to SamoShel.
- A weekend HLP operation was conducted focusing on livability issues primarily the 1600 and 1700 Blocks of the Beach and other known hotspots. The operation resulted in three citations (Public Camping & Tent on the Beach), one written advisal (Public Camping) and one Field Interview. Periodic checks of the main business corridors were also conducted.
- HLP Team Officers responded to the 1300 Block of 3rd Street Promenade regarding a 5150 Evaluation. HLP Team officers contacted a subject who is known to HLP Team officers and has been cited and arrested for Santa Monica Municipal Code violations. Officers noted a drastic decline of the subject's ability to care for himself. HLP Team DMH Personnel conducted and evaluation; the subject was placed on a mental health (5150) hold and transported to local hospital.
Community Affairs Unit (CAU)
Beat 1 – NRO’s Hollowell with CPC Lockwood
- Neighborhood Resource Officer Hollowell responded to an Officer Involved Shooting where one of our officers was assaulted. NRO Hollowell who is currently on the Public Information Team was able to gather information as the scene evolved and provided information to the Public Information Officer, Lt. Aklufi and the Public Information Coordinator, Myesha Morrison. NRO Hollowell gathered the media at the established media staging area near the Command Post as they awaited a statement. NRO Hollowell also helped Traffic Services Officer Supervisor David Guillen create a traffic plan around the incident which included rerouting Big Blue Bus and other means of public transportation. NRO Hollowell also assisted TSO Supervisor Guillen with deploying the Mobile Command Post for the incident. With a quickly evolving situation, NRO Hollowell was able to advise the Incident Commander accordingly regarding media staging and the Traffic Plan.
Beat 2 – NRO Navarro with CPC Barreto
- NRO Navarro and Lt. Aklufi attended the Friends of Sunset Park Community Meeting. Crime statistics and a summary of incidents were presented by Lt. Aklufi. An assortment of questions regarding catalytic converter thefts and general home security concerns.
- NRO Navarro responded to a concern regarding breeches in the perimeter fence surrounding the large, abandoned property in the 200 block of Pico Boulevard. NRO Navarro was familiar with the complaints from two months earlier and had worked with the property manager in the past. At that time, NRO Navarro organized a Neighborhood Watch meeting with residents who had reported complaints. The residents received numerous options to report complaints to the property management company. This included the option to report breeches in the perimeter fence that was originally installed at the request of the NROs. They also received numerous city and county homeless resources to address any criminal or livability complaints. Since the meeting, the property manager has reported receiving only a few complaints from residents regarding trespassers or public disturbances on the site. The property manager made arrangements for immediate repairs to the fence. The demolition of the old bowling alley had been scheduled for October, but it has been delayed. The property manager anticipates the demolition will be approved and happening in November and she intends to have security staff on site during that process. NRO Navarro will ensure perimeter wall repairs are sufficient.
- NRO Navarro organized and attended Coffee with a Cop at UnUrban Cafe with the CAU staff. City Councilmember De la Torre and Vice Mayor Negrete were in attendance.
- NRO Navarro and Galvan circulated between Clover Park and a synagogue on 11th Street for Rosh Hashanah events. PSOs also assisted with presence and no incidents reported. Both event organizers were grateful for the extra vigilance.
Beat 3 – NRO Galvan with CPC Barreto
- NRO Galvan along with CPC Barreto attended the monthly Virginia Ave. Park Advisory board meeting. Crime statistics were discussed, and questions were answered. The Advisory Board was also made aware of the upcoming Community Academy. Several members of the Advisory Board are interested in the Community Academy and will be applying for the spring session.
- NRO Galvan along with the Community Affairs Unit attended Coffee with a Cop hosted by 7-11 at 1600 Santa Monica Blvd to connect with the community around 7-11 and with businesses in the area.
- NRO Galvan completed the Active Threat presentation for Santa Monica Unified School District employees.
- NRO Galvan attended a Zoom meeting with the business owners at Bergamot Station. General safety questions were answered, and correct phone numbers provided to the group.
- NRO Galvan walked the Wilshire corridor from the 800 block to the 1400 block connecting with business owners and answering questions. The business owners were pleased to have a direct contact with the police department to answer questions and concerns.
Beat 4 – NRO Wang with CPC Lockwood
- NRO Wang responded to a noise complaint at a building in the 400 Block of San Vicente Boulevard. After contacting the complainant, NRO Wang will follow up with the management company.
- NRO Wang conducted early morning patrols in the Beat 4 area at the request of a concerned resident in the area.
- NRO Wang performed foot patrols in the 1100-1400 block of Wilshire Boulevard, engaging with local businesses and residents.
- NRO Wang spoke with a Beat 4 resident who has previously expressed concerns about the city’s condition, including crime, traffic safety, and quality of life. NRO Wang detailed the Strategic Plan's Goal 1, which focuses on addressing crime and public safety, and discussed Goal 2 regarding personnel development and resilience to address understaffing. NRO Wang emphasized SMPD's high hiring standards and rigorous training processes. The resident responded positively and expressed support for the SMPD following their discussion.
- NRO Wang attended the Wilmont Community meeting and discussed crime trends and answered questions from the group.
- LA Impact contacted NRO Wang about a suspect wanted for Robbery and Kidnapping living near the 1700 block of Ocean Avenue. NRO Wang coordinated access with the general manager to locate the suspect, who was subsequently taken into custody following a traffic stop as he left his residence.
Authored By
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant