July 3, 2026 7:15 AM
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Executive Summary

From June 14–20, SMPD responded to 2,329 calls for service, made 89 arrests, and continued a balanced deployment model focused on crime suppression, traffic safety, homelessness response, and community engagement. Officer-initiated activity remained a significant part of the department’s work, accounting for 44% of all calls, while homeless-related dispositions represented 22% of the weekly call volume.

This week’s enforcement activity included arrests connected to narcotics sales, weapons violations, outstanding warrants, domestic violence, theft, arson, and DUI-related incidents. Downtown, beach, pier, and park areas remained a focus for high-visibility patrols, scheduled operations, and coordinated enforcement.

SMPD’s SMART Center resources continued to play a significant role in crime suppression and suspect apprehension this week, supporting field personnel with real-time information, aerial awareness, and investigative follow-up. Several notable arrests involved technology-supported coordination, including the recovery of a stolen motorcycle, a shoplifting arrest supported by drone observation, and a pickpocket investigation in which SMART Center personnel identified the suspect and helped direct officers to the suspect’s location.

SMPD also supported major public-facing activity, including FIFA-related events at the Pier, Pride and Juneteenth events, neighborhood meetings, business checks, beach operations, and coordinated homelessness outreach with service partners.

By the Numbers: June 14 – June 20, 2026

Year to date, SMPD has handled 61,866 calls for service, compared to 56,325 during the same period in 2025, a 9.8% increase. Arrests remain significantly higher year over year, with 2,466 arrests in 2026 compared to 1,439 in 2025, a 71.4% increase.

Crime Suppression

SMPD personnel made arrests across multiple crime categories this week, including narcotics sales, theft, arson, domestic violence, weapons violations, and outstanding warrants. Several cases reflected the department’s use of coordinated field response, technology-supported identification, and proactive enforcement in high-activity corridors.

Downtown and beach-area teams continued to produce significant results, with the Downtown Services Units reporting a combined 29 arrests in the Beach/Pier and Downtown areas. The Crime Impact Team also supported investigative follow-up, including search warrant service connected to grand theft and firearms-related investigations.

Key Crime Suppression Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Stolen Motorcycle Recovery & Arrest Lincoln & Pico Blvd	The SMART Center received a stolen motorcycle alert. After the rider failed to yield, the motorcycle was located in an alley.  Officers arrested the suspect inside a nearby business without incident.
Pickpocket / Narcotics Arrest 1600 block of Ocean Front Walk	Smart Center personnel identified a suspect in a reported pickpocket incident. Officers located the suspect, recovered the victim’s property, and also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Marijuana Sales 1500 block of Palisades Park	DSU officers observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction and recovered approximately 80 grams of marijuana in individually wrapped bindles. The suspect was arrested for cannabis sales-related charges.
Arson Arrest 500 block of Colorado	Officers observed a small fire and, after reviewing traffic camera footage, identified a suspect who had started the fire. The suspect fled on foot but was later arrested without incident.
Felony Meth Possession / Felony Warrant Arrest 5th and Olympic	While fueling his vehicle, a K9 officer observed a subject smoking methamphetamine and blocking the driveway. The subject attempted to flee but was taken into custody. Officers later confirmed he also had an outstanding felony warrant and booked him for the warrant, possession of methamphetamine with prior narcotics violations, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement remained active across patrol watches with continued focus on Lincoln Boulevard, PCH, Downtown Santa Monica, and citywide safety concerns. Traffic personnel also assisted with criminal enforcement, including the detention of a sexual battery suspect and the apprehension of a theft suspect during an active foot pursuit.

June 14 - 20, 2026
Traffic Stops	Citations	Advisals
188	121	57

 

  Notable Traffic Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
DUI / Assault with Vehicle 1600 block of Appian Way	Officers observed a suspect nearly strike a victim with a vehicle in a beach lot. The suspect fled, was located quickly, and was arrested after investigation determined impairment.
Motorcycle Riding on Sidewalk 1400 block of Olympic	Officers observed a suspect riding a motorcycle without a helmet on the sidewalk after running a red light.  The suspect was determined to be on parole and was arrested.

Homelessness Response

SMPD’s homelessness response this week reflected the department’s dual focus on enforcement, outreach, and connection to services. Personnel had several service-oriented outcomes, including a successful Project Homecoming referral for an individual seeking to return to Washington and a SamoBridge placement for a woman contacted in Palisades Park during park closure hours.

HLP Team Stats:

June 14 - 20, 2026
Radio Calls	SAMO Bridge Referrals	HLP Self-Initiated Activity	Citations	Total Arrests	Encampments
182	10	147	33	16	5

 

Key Homeless Response Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Civic Center/Tongva Park Operation	HLP coordinated with the Salvation Army during a focused enforcement and outreach operation. The operation resulted in 8 contacts, 3 citations, and a Project Homecoming referral.
Project Homecoming	During a livability operation, officers contacted a man during Civic Center closure hours who expressed interest in returning to Washington. He was referred to Salvation Army/Project Homecoming and successfully secured transportation home.
Housing Connection	Officers contacted a woman during park closure hours who expressed interest in housing resources. She was transported and accepted into SamoBridge.
Felony Warrant Arrest Palisades Park	During a park contact, officers discovered a subject had full-extradition warrants from Florida for grand theft auto, burglary, and probation violation. The subject was arrested, and a detainer was obtained.
Repeated Park Closure / Camping Violations Clover Park	Officers contacted a subject with repeated prior contacts involving camping, park closure, trespassing, public intoxication, 5150 hold, and being under the influence. The subject declined services and was arrested for park closure and public camping violations.

Community & Youth Engagement

Community engagement this week included neighborhood meetings, event participation, business checks, beach and pier support, and youth- and family-centered public safety presence. NROs attended the Mid-City Neighbors meeting to discuss FIFA-related activations and SMPD’s public safety posture, participated in the Pride Celebration at City Hall, and joined a Hotchkiss Park meeting with residents and city leadership to discuss quality-of-life concerns.

 

SMPD personnel also supported the Juneteenth Festival at Virginia Avenue Park, conducted business checks on Montana Avenue, and maintained high-visibility patrols throughout the Pier, beach, and Ocean Front Walk during FIFA-related activity.

 

 

Animal Control	Animal Control handled 72 dispatched calls during the reporting period. Notable responses included rescuing an emaciated dog found during a wellness check on an elderly resident, transporting an injured pelican with a fishing hook and line entanglement to International Bird Rescue Center, guiding a loose dog off the I-10 freeway with CHP assistance, and responding to multiple wildlife calls. The rescued dog, Hunter, was treated for severe dehydration and malnourishment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Community Meetings	NROs provided updates on FIFA-related activations, anticipated impacts, and SMPD’s deployment posture.   NROs met with a local mothers’ group and the City Manager regarding Hotchkiss Park safety and quality-of-life concerns. The organizer expressed appreciation for SMPD’s responsiveness and noted improvements.
Community Academy Harbor Tour	Harbor personnel conducted a boat tour for eight members of the SMPD Community Academy.

 Photo Summary: https://www.santamonica.gov/media/Police/Blue%20Notebook/June%2014-20%20Summary.jpg

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