August 28, 2026 8:05 AM
by Lewis Gilmour, Myesha Morrison

SMPD made 111 arrests during a week marked by proactive enforcement, investigative follow-up, and coordinated operations across the City. Significant activity included arrests connected to a nearly $100,000 jewelry theft, organized retail theft, robbery, narcotics sales, burglary tools, stolen copper wire and outstanding warrants.

National Night Out brought community members, City partners, businesses, and SMPD personnel together at City Hall. The week also included emergency preparedness planning for the Santa Monica Pier, neighborhood engagement, homelessness outreach, and the successful placement of a chronically unhoused veteran into housing.

Key Takeaways:

·       This marks the 5^th consecutive week with more than 100 arrests reflecting sustained proactive enforcement and increased coordination among patrol, investigative and specialized units.

·       Traffic stops generated results beyond traffic enforcement contributing to the recovery of stolen copper wire, burglary tools, and other evidence. Motor officers also located and arrested multiple felony suspects.

·       Focused operations addressed organized and repeat criminal activity resulting in arrests at multiple businesses. The operation demonstrates the value of combining real-time intelligence via the SMART Center and specialized personnel in addressing organized retail theft.

By the Numbers: August 2 - 8, 2026

From August 2–8, SMPD handled 2,504 calls for service, an increase of 3.6% from the prior week. Officer-initiated activity accounted for 45% of all activity. Year-to-date, calls for service are up 7.5% and arrests are up 69% compared with the same period in 2025.

Crime Suppression

This week’s most significant enforcement outcomes combined investigative follow-up with proactive field activity. Officers arrested suspects connected to offenses affecting residential neighborhoods, public spaces, City infrastructure, and the Third Street Promenade.

Key Crime Suppression Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Jewelry Store Grand Theft 1400 Block of Montana Ave ARREST	The Crime Impact Team assisted the Criminal Investigations Division with an arrest and search warrant stemming from the theft of nearly $100,000 in merchandise from a jewelry store near the 1400 block of  Montana Avenue. Investigators identified the suspect who was located and arrested in Beverly Hills before serving a search warrant at a Chatsworth residence. The suspect was also wanted in connection with similar thefts in Northern California.
Organized Retail Theft Operation Downtown SM ARREST	Personnel coordinated a retail theft operation across multiple PD units that resulted in seven arrests, including three felony and four misdemeanor arrests, connected to incidents at Target, ALO, and Victoria’s Secret.
Robbery Arrests	Officers and an assisting law enforcement helicopter located four juveniles who fled after two victims reported having necklaces taken from their necks near Sea View Terrace. Two juveniles were positively identified and arrested for robbery.
Narcotics Sales Arrests	Downtown Services Unit officers made two separate narcotics sales arrests. One investigation near Olympic Boulevard resulted in the recovery of approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine. A second arrest in Palisades Park resulted in the recovery of approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine and 10 grams of cocaine.
Sexual Battery Arrest	Officers arrested a suspect after a 14-year-old reported that a man followed her and touched her inappropriately. The victim positively identified the suspect, who was on post-release community supervision for assault.

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement remained a visible component of patrol activity, with particular attention given to the Wilshire, Lincoln, Broadway, and Colorado corridors. Patrol watches reported a combined 200 traffic stops and 113 citations.

Patrol personnel partnered with the Traffic Enforcement Section to address pedestrian safety at crosswalks and community concerns along Colorado Avenue and Broadway in addition to near Yale Street and Colorado Avenue.

 

August 2-8, 2026
Traffic Stops	Citations	Advisals
330	221	102

 

  Notable Traffic Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Copper Wire &  Burglary Tools Recovered	A traffic stop near Cloverfield Boulevard and Pearl Street led officers to recover copper wiring, stolen license plates, multiple burglary tools, key fobs, wrapped cellular phones, masks, and drug paraphernalia. Two suspects were arrested, including one with an outstanding felony warrant for grand theft and conspiracy.
Felony Vehicle and Sexual Battery 11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard ARREST	SMART Center resources identified a felony vehicle wanted by the Montebello Police Department in connection with a felony sexual battery investigation. Motor Officers located the vehicle/suspect near 11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. Montebello Police subsequently responded and took custody of the suspect.
Injury Collision  1600 Block of Ocean Avenue	Community Services Officers responded to a collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. The motorcyclist was transported to UCLA for treatment of lower body injuries. The unregistered motorcycle was impounded.

Homelessness Response

SMPD continued balancing outreach, service referrals, mental health intervention, and enforcement in areas experiencing recurring homelessness-related activity. HLP personnel focused deployments on the beach, Downtown, and major corridors while working with the Department of Mental Health, the Salvation Army, and PD’s Community Engagement Team (CET) to connect individuals with appropriate services.

Two outreach efforts produced positive outcomes this week. Sustained coordination between HLP and CET helped place a chronically unhoused veteran into housing, while a Project Homecoming arranged with the Salvation Army helped another individual return home. Officers also addressed several cases involving concealed weapons, narcotics, outstanding warrants, and individuals requiring mental health evaluation.

HLP Team Stats:

August 2-8, 2026
Radio Calls	SAMO Bridge / Samoshel Referrals	HLP Self-Initiated Activity	Citations	Total Arrests	Encampments
92	1	78	18	13	8

 

Key Homeless Response Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Housing Success	A significant outcome followed sustained outreach by CET and HLP personnel, who successfully connected a chronically unhoused veteran with permanent housing. HLP also completed a Project Homecoming with the Salvation Army, helping another individual return home.
Weapon and Fentanyl Arrest	An officer contacted an individual in a children’s play area without a child. The investigation resulted in the recovery of fentanyl, narcotics paraphernalia, and a knife concealed in the individual’s waistband. The individual was arrested on felony narcotics and weapons-related charges.
No-Bail Warrant 1600 Block of the Beach Arrest	An officer contacted an individual camping in the 1600 block of the beach. The individual provided a false name and was found with drug paraphernalia and an outstanding no-bail warrant.

Community & Youth Engagement

National Night Out anchored the Department’s community engagement efforts this week. CET coordinated event logistics and cleanup, while personnel from across SMPD staffed displays, met with attendees, and highlighted the Department’s specialized services. Animal Control featured adoptable dogs Ricky and Arthur, with Ricky finding a home following the event.

National Night Out	CET led event coordination, vendor logistics, operational planning, breakdown, and cleanup. Department personnel engaged with residents, community organizations, businesses, sponsors, and City partners.
Pier Preparedness	Personnel convened Pier stakeholders to strengthen emergency communications, coordinated response procedures, and training for Pier businesses.
Upcoming Community Outreach	·       August 11 - PAL’s Back to School Night ·       August 16 – Main Street Farmers Market Pop-Up ·       August 25 - Coffee with a Cop at Pacific Park ·       Pink Patch Project Planning

 

 

 

 

Authored By

Lewis Gilmour
Lieutenant

Myesha Morrison
Public Information Coordinator

Categories

Safety