The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap April 13 - April 19, 2025

April 30, 2025 9:56 AM
by Lewis Gilmour

DEPARTMENT-WIDE STATS:

TRAFFIC EDUCATION & ENFORCEMENT - MOTORS

Weekly Stats:

OTS Grant Operations (2):

Patrol Traffic Enforcement

PATROL

Sexual Assault– 600 Block of Santa Monica Blvd The reporting party observed a sexual assault in progress and began recording the incident while calling 911. Officers located the suspect leaving the area. Both the victim and suspect were transported to the Rape Treatment Center for evidence collection. 

Assault W/ Deadly Weapon (Dual Stabbings) – 1700 Block of the Beach Two victims, a brother and sister, were walking on the beach when the brother got into a verbal altercation with two suspects. The altercation turned physical, and the sister intervened, trying to break up the fight. One suspect was armed with a knife and both suspects fled southbound on the beach. Both victims sustained stab wounds. Both victims were transported to the hospital and were later in stable condition, with no surgeries needed. On scene, multiple parties/witnesses were uncooperative, under the influence and provided conflicting information to officers. Press Release announcing an arrest in this case.

 Assault W/ Deadly Weapon (Family Domestic) – 21st St A grandmother and granddaughter got into a verbal altercation which turned physical. The granddaughter stabbed her grandmother in her shin with a knife, causing a 1-inch laceration. The granddaughter was taken into custody.

Domestic Violence – 1600 Block of Ocean Front Walk The victim contacted PD stating her boyfriend had beat her up by punching her multiple times in her face and head; and possibly cut the back of her head with a box cutter. The victim was located with multiple injuries on her face. The victim advised that her boyfriend fled the scene and did not have a car. The victim was transported to the hospital for further treatment. Note: There has been prior domestic violence in their relationship. 

Burglaries via Rear Sliding Door – Investigation Ongoing

Criminal Threats w/ Firearm- SM Place Mall. DSU officers respond to a call where mall security was threatened by a female transient with a firearm. The security guards lost sight of the suspect as she walked into Structure 7. Officers searched the parking structure while investigating. The suspect was not located.

6th St/Broadway 368(b)(1) PC / 11377(a) HS An elderly BBB passenger was spat on by a bus rider after she asked him to stop smoking on the bus. The suspect was located and found in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 

6th St/SM Blvd Warrant/11377(a) HS Officers contacted a subject known to have an outstanding SMPD warrant. The subject was found in possession of methamphetamine. 

PED stop 400 block of Arizona  Officers contacted a subject after they observed him manipulating drugs with additional drug paraphernalia in plain view. Ultimately their investigation led to a  possession for sales arrest, and felony possession due to prior convictions. 

Juvenile Overdose-  Beverly Ave Officers responded to an assistance call for service. The comments of the call stated a 16-year-old was not breathing in the house and dispatch was giving CPR instructions. Upon arrival, Santa Monica Fire Department Engine 2 administered Narcan and was providing rescue breaths. The victim regained consciousness and was transported to a local area hospital. It should be noted on 09/09/2024 SMFD responded to an overdose call for the same individual.  The juvenile was placed on a 5150 hold for making suicidal statements. 

Estes Robbery/69 PC/Use of Force –420 Broadway Officers responded to an Estes Robbery at 420 Broadway. The suspect had taken items and scratched the loss prevention agent on the face as she left the business. Officers located the suspect on the train platform and attempted to detain the suspect. She proceeded to also scratch the officer along the right side of his face and neck. The suspect was placed under arrest with the assistance of responding officers.

Rollover Traffic Collision/DUI-900 Block of Broadway Officers were on patrol in the 1100 block of Broadway when he heard a loud crash near the 900 Block of Broadway. They arrived on scene and located two vehicles overturned. Only one driver was located and initially it was believed the driver of the second vehicle fled the location. Video of the accident was located and showed the driver struck a parked unoccupied vehicle at a high rate of speed. A search of the suspect’s’ vehicle and a backpack revealed bottles of Nitrous Oxide. The driver was transported to a local hospital and eventually cited out for DUI. 

Narcotics Violation / 9th St. & Pico Blvd.  Officers initiated a traffic stop for a moving violation. It was subsequently discovered that the driver was on felony probation. A probation search revealed the driver was in possession of narcotics. 

Assault – Deadly Weapon (Skateboard) / 600 Block of Ocean Park Blvd. The victim sees a suspect coming from the direction of the front door of his apartment. The victim confronted the suspect who swung a skateboard at the victim’s head. The suspect fled but was located nearby. 

Grand Theft (E-Bike) / 1000 Block of Pico Blvd. (800 Block of Broadway) The victim reported the theft of an E-Bike from in front of his apartment building. The following day, the victim was able to track (with an apple air tag) the stolen bike to a specific apartment building. Officers responded and found the suspect in possession of the bike.  

Aggravated Battery – 800 Block of Ocean Ave A homeless victim was contacted by six suspects riding scooters. An unknown number of suspects punched and kicked the victim once on his body. The victim was not very forthcoming with incident details. The victim sustained redness all over his body and was transported to the hospital for further treatment.  

Firearm Arrest – Ocean Way and Bay St Officers stopped a vehicle for displaying stolen license plates. Once all passengers were out of the vehicle, the officers noticed a handgun in plain sight beneath the center console. The handgun was positioned to be easily accessible to the driver. The handgun was a loaded .40 caliber Springfield XD. The driver was arrested. Once at the jail, it was determined the suspect had falsely identified himself and had an outstanding burglary warrant. Instagram Post

Carjacking / Assault – 2100 Block of Ocean Ave Unprovoked, the victim was struck multiple times in the head by three suspects wearing face masks. One of the suspects took the victim’s car keys and they all fled in his vehicle southbound on Ocean Ave and out of sight. The investigation is ongoing.

DIRECTED ACTION RESPONSE TEAM (DART)

Weekly Stats:

NARCOTICS AND WARRANT ARRESTS

1500 block of Alley 4 ARREST-LAPD Warrant – The suspect was contacted for drinking alcohol in public and found to have a $200,000 LAPD warrant for Theft.   

1600 Block of Ocean Front Walk ARREST-BHPD Warrant – The suspect was found to have a $75,000 Beverly Hills PD warrant for Arson. 

Ocean / Colorado ARREST- SMPD WANT Officers were informed by Property Detectives of the suspect having an outstanding Felony WANT for Prop. 36 Theft Charges. The suspect was located and arrested.   

1500 Block of Palisades Park]ARREST- NO BAIL ADW Warrant The suspect was contacted for smoking a cigarette in the park. It was discovered he had a No Bail warrant for Assault w/Deadly Weapon out of UCLA PD. The suspect was also in possession of a meth pipe. 

1600 Block of the Beach ARREST- Sex Registrant Failure to Register /Narcotics Possession. DART contacted a suspect who was in possession of a nitrous oxide canister. The suspect was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender,  in addition to possession of nitrous oxide and crystal meth. 

1000 Block the Beach ARREST- Drug Paraphernalia / Resisting Arrest / Probation Hold The suspect had a meth pipe in plain view and attempted to run when officers approached.  He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, and a probation violation. 

1500 block of Palisades Park (SMPD Felony Warrant Arrest) The suspect was found to have a $100k SMPD warrant and was taken into custody.  

2000 block of the beach. (No Bail Parole Warrant Arrest) The suspect was contacted for having a tent on the beach. A records check revealed a NO BAIL parole warrant. The suspect was placed under arrest and drug paraphernalia was found in his property. 

1800 The Beach, 11377(A) Possession of meth /11364(a)(1) Poss of drug paraphernalia - The suspect was contacted for smoking in plain view. He was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. 

1200 The Beach, 11364(a)(1) Possession of drug paraphernalia (cite out) In plain view, the suspect dropped drug paraphernalia on the sand. 

1800 the Beach, (11377(a) H&S - Possession of methamphetamine Arrests Two suspects were detained for having an open container of alcohol. Both were found in possession of meth and meth pipes. One suspect was also in possession of cocaine. 

CRIME IMPACT TEAM (CIT)

Weekly Stats:

CIT conducted a Retail Theft operation with assistance from DFR/ SMART Center and the Downtown Services Unit. Crime analysis revealed the “hot spot” locations to be Sunglass Hut, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and Lululemon. The operation yielded a total of 9 arrests, 7 of which were felonies and 2 were misdemeanors.

The following was the activity:

Officers observed a suspect at 630 Wilshire who the officer  recognized as a suspect from a case he handled from 01/16/25. Officers detained the suspect and arrested him for burglary. A search of the suspect revealed a meth pipe and a want/warrant check revealed two SMPD warrants for narcotics.

Officers located a suspect at 630 Wilshire Blvd. who was known to have a stay away order from the location. The suspect was detained and it was discovered he had a $51k SMPD narcotics warrant. The suspect was also in possession of a meth pipe.

Loss Prevention from Victoria’s Secret contacted officers regarding a “theft occurring now”. Officers responded to the area and detained two suspects in the 1200 block of Alley 3. Both suspects were found in possession of stolen property and burglary tools. One suspect was also in possession of meth and the possession charge was elevated to a felony due to his superseding priors.

Lululemon Loss Prevention contacted the sergeant in the SMART Center regarding a theft in progress. DFR was deployed to the location and monitored the suspects’ movement from the store to Structure 5. DFR lost the suspects, but officers were able to locate them as they were leaving the structure in a vehicle. CIT conducted a traffic stop and detained the suspects. Follow up revealed the suspects to be in possession of stolen property from several stores from the downtown area.

Officers were monitoring the CCTV in the security room of Sephora when they observed a suspect commit a theft and quickly exit the store. Officers coordinated with DFR and DFR observed the suspect enter her vehicle in the 400 block of Arizona. She was detained and in found to be possession of the stolen property from Sephora. Additionally, she was in possession of stolen property from Lululemon, several gift cards and burglary tools.

Officer  were flagged down by TJ Maxx loss prevention regarding a theft that just occurred. They located the suspect and arrested him for theft.

CIT conducted a crime suppression operation targeting the 1700 block – 2200 block of Lincoln Blvd., and surrounding area.  

Incidents of note: 

Officers observed a suspect smoking near to 300 block of Bay St. The suspect was detained for the smoking violation and gave a false ID to officers. He was arrested and found to have $81K in SMPD warrants for weapons and narcotic violations. Additionally, he was in possession of 1.6 grams of meth. 

Officers contacted a subject at Lincoln Blvd. and Michigan for a muni code violation. The suspect was found to be an Oxnard gang member and on parole for carjacking. 

Lincoln Operation Stats:

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM


Neighborhood Associations and Community Meetings

Community Events / Outreach:

CET team visited the Village school at the Colorado Center to welcome the students who are relocating due to the Palisades fire. The goal was to establish a positive presence on campus and build familiarity with the school community, helping to create a sense of trust and approachability between law enforcement and families. 

Staff participated in the YMCA Healthy Kids Day event on Saturday, April 19th. Approximately 150 people attended the event, which focused on promoting health and wellness among children. Personnel actively engaged with families throughout the day, supporting the event’s mission and fostering positive community connections.  

Staff attended multiple planning meetings for the upcoming opening of Palisades High. These meetings focused on developing a comprehensive communications plan, conducting walkthroughs of the location, and fostering collaboration with various city agencies and law enforcement partners. The joint planning aims to ensure a smooth and safe first day of school for students, staff, and the community. 

CET attended the Community Academy, which was facilitated by CPC Barreto. CET discussed SMPD’s Strategic Plan and presented each goal with the members of the class. Officer Lasley presented UAS/DFR. 

Staff were contacted by the manager of Habit Burger regarding a chronic subject who has been repeatedly causing disturbances at the business. After evaluating the circumstances, it was determined that the subject was committing theft and willfully disrupting business operations. The manager was advised on how to initiate a private person’s arrest and instructed to call the non-emergency line for any further incidents. NROs will be working with patrol officers to address the issue and plans to conduct periodic checks at the location beginning next week.

CET joined Code Enforcement officers for a follow-up visit to the American Motel to assess whether any improvements had been made to the property since the previous inspection. The visit was part of a continuing effort to ensure compliance with safety and maintenance standards.

NRO Wang and CPC Aguilar responded to a noise complaint at Pavilion’s Market. Upon investigation, the noise was traced to a grease collection company that services Panda Express during the early morning hours. The issue was addressed, and the situation has since been resolved.

CET was contacted by a resident who resides in the 1800 block of 10th Street. The resident’s son was involved in a solo vehicle traffic collision in February 2025. The resident advised NRO Avila that an unknown subject filed a claim with their insurance and claimed that her son struck their vehicle and fled the scene. The resident recently received a letter in the mail stating that she owed $17,000.00 to the insurance company. The resident was distraught, and she could not locate her incident number that SMPD officers provided her in February. NRO Avila conducted a computer search and was able to locate the report number and informed her how to obtain a copy of the traffic collision report. 

HOMELESS LIAISON PROGRAM (HLP) 

Weekly Stats:

A subject was observed to the rear of Salvation Army with his belongings spread out and blocking the rear entry way. He was advised to clean up his belongings. He stated he was willing to return to Oklahoma where he was originally from. HLP team members contacted the Salvation Army to assist the individual with bus fare to get him home to Oklahoma. He was able to get a bus ticket due to the efforts of Salvation Army employees. HLP team members transported him to Union Station so he could catch the bus. 

On 04/17/2025, HLP Team Officers responded to 16th St and Arizona Ave regarding a disturbing the peace call. Officers ultimately contacted a male subject who was recently discharged from Santa Monica Hospital and looking for assistance with housing/shelter resources. Salvation Army staff responded to the scene and assisted with transporting the male subject to a shelter in the Los Angeles area.

The HLP Team, in collaboration with the HOST Team, identified and removed the following abandoned encampments/property located throughout the city.

ANIMAL SERVICES

Weekly Stats:

Notable Adoption - Dog #A052204, A 9 year old, Pitbull Mix, named “Simba” who has been at the shelter since May 25, 2024 was showcased on KTLA’s  Weekend Morning News by Meteorologist Kacey Montoya. A viewer saw the news broadcast and came down to the shelter to see “Simba”. After spending some time with “Simba” and seeing how loveable he was towards people, the adoption was a go!! “Simba” was adopted into a new home on Saturday April 19, 2025.  Link to Instagram Post:

Animal Control continues to receive an influx of calls on the beach due to the toxic algal bloom and dogs on the beach. Dead animals picked up on the beach: (6) Sea Lions, (4) Dolphins, (6) Pelicans, (2) Loon, (1) Gull.

On 04/18/2025, at approximately 8:00am Animal Control Officers were flagged down in the 900 block of the beach by a resident who wanted to report an injured dolphin . ACOs responded to the location and assisted lifeguard personnel already on scene with accessing and monitoring the injured dolphin.  At approximately 8:30am Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) personnel arrived and transported the injured dolphin to the rescue center in San Pedro for medical treatment. 

On 04/21/2025 at approximately 4:30pm ACOs responded to the 800 block of the beach regarding another an injured dolphin. Animal Control Officers assessed the dolphin’s injuries and requested MMR personnel to responded and assist. At approximately 1700 hours the injured dolphin succumbed to its injuries. MMR arrived on scene and took custody of the deceased dolphin and transported the dolphin to MMR for a necropsy.  

On 04/22/25 Animal Control personnel were flagged on the 1700 block of the beach regarding a dolphin in distress at the waterline. Lifeguards advised that MMR had a 40-minute ETA. Personnel assisted with crowd control and then assisted MMR in loading the dolphin for transport. 

Note: 4 deceased dolphins were transported by Animal Control Officers to Dockweiler’s State Beach for O.R.R.A. (Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance) personnel to conduct a necropsy and research study on their cause of death.  

HARBOR SERVICES

Weekly Stats:

Pier Jumper/5150 HSOs were flagged down in the Harbor Office regarding a pier jumper. HSOs entered the water and rescued the victim by bringing him to the hoist. The victim was loaded into the stokes basket for transport. SMFD Engine 7 and PD Beach Detail responded to the west end to assist. The victim was transported via the Harbor Truck to an awaiting ambulance and taken to the hospital for a 5150 evaluation.

Medical Aid - Pacific Park HSOs responded to Pacific Park for a report of a fainting. A 17-year-old passed out after riding the sea dragon ride. Care was transferred over to SMFD E7 upon their arrival. 

Medical Aid - Pacific Park  HSOs were flagged down by a Pacific Park employee. The patient tripped and fell and was experiencing pain to his ankle with obvious swelling. HSOs assessed the ankle and wrapped the injury with an ace bandage. The patient refused further care and said the bandage helped .

Medical Aid 1500blk of the Beach Personnel received a radio call of two juvenile females found face down, unresponsive in the sand possibly with alcohol bottles around them. HSOs, SMFD, and LA County Lifeguards responded and found one patient extremely intoxicated. Sworn personnel arrived on scene and the subject was assessed before being transported to the hospital. 

Additional Activities:

Authored By

Lewis Gilmour
Lieutenant

Categories

Safety