The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - August 30- September 5, 2026

September 23, 2026 10:52 AM
by

Executive Summary

As Labor Day weekend approached, marking the traditional close of summer, SMPD continued enforcement, outreach, and traffic safety efforts across Santa Monica. Officers made 112 arrests during the reporting period, recovered stolen property, and used SMART Center resources to support theft and vandalism investigations. Traffic assignments addressed pedestrian safety, school-area concerns, and impaired driving in preparation for the holiday weekend. Neighborhood follow-up and service connections complemented these efforts, continuing the department’s work to address both immediate safety concerns and recurring community needs.

Key Takeaways

· Summer activity reflected sustained demand for police services. From June through August, SMPD recorded 32,353 calls for service, averaging approximately 352 per day. Monthly totals remained consistently above 10,600, reaching 11,031 in August.

· Enforcement remained consistent throughout the summer. Officers made 1,387 arrests across the three months, including 414 in June, 491 in July, and 482 in August. August arrests remained 16.4% above June, with July and August maintaining comparable levels of enforcement activity.

By the Numbers

SMPD maintained a sustained enforcement effort throughout the summer, making 1,387 arrests.

Calendar Period in 2026	Calls for Service	Arrests
June 1 through June 30	10,625	414
July 1 through July 31	10,697	491
August 1 through August 31	11,031	482

Current Reporting Week	Calls for Service	Arrests
August 30 through September 5	2,519	112

Crime Suppression

Property crime reports prompted focused patrol activity in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. Officers recovered copper wiring, located burglary tools during a vehicle stop, and worked with business employees and SMART Center personnel to identify theft suspects. Robbery investigations and a loaded firearm recovery also required coordinated field responses.

Notable Crime Incidents and Investigations

Notable Incident	Response and Outcome
Burglary investigation 1100 block of Pearl Street	While patrolling a neighborhood following a report of possible catalytic converter theft activity, an officer stopped a vehicle traveling without lights and with its rear plate obscured. Officers located tools consistent with catalytic converter theft and arrested three occupants on burglary and conspiracy-related charges. One also had an outstanding robbery warrant.
Copper theft 1400 block of Berkeley Street	Officers located two suspects following a reported copper theft and recovered a 100-foot roll of copper wiring, tools, and narcotics. Both suspects were positively identified and arrested.
Armed robbery 2300 block of Main Street	A victim reported that a suspect threatened him with a knife and took his cellphone. Officers established a perimeter following a foot pursuit and located the suspect nearby. The victim identified the suspect, who was arrested for robbery, criminal threats, and resisting officers.
Shooting investigation 00 block of Bay Street	Downtown Services Unit officers investigated a report that an individual fired from a vehicle at a victim. On September 5, officers assisted with recovery of the vehicle in West Los Angeles as part of the continuing investigation.
Loaded firearm recovery PCH near Entrada Drive	Downtown Services Unit officers conducted a vehicle stop and recovered a loaded handgun with a 15-round magazine. The driver was arrested on firearm-related charges.
Felony vandalism St. Monica’s Church	Officers investigated damage caused by a person throwing large rocks at a religious statue. City cameras assisted officers in locating the suspect, who was positively identified and arrested.
Retail theft Third Street Promenade	SMART Center personnel tracked a suspect leaving Sunglass Hut and provided information that helped officers locate her inside another business. Officers recovered the stolen merchandise and arrested the suspect.

Traffic Enforcement

Pedestrian safety and neighborhood traffic concerns guided enforcement assignments this week. Officers focused on crosswalks along major corridors, school-area complaints, and driving behavior near construction. Traffic personnel also conducted a DUI saturation patrol at the start of Labor Day weekend and continued follow-up on a serious pedestrian collision.

Traffic Enforcement Activity

Traffic Stops	Citations	Advisals
207	106	93

Notable Traffic Activity

Incident Type	Description
Serious Pedestrian Collision Follow Up	On August 29 at Ocean Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard, a driver stopped at a stop sign, then moved forward and struck an older adult crossing in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver remained at the scene; traffic cameras captured the collision.
Impaired driving enforcement	Traffic Enforcement conducted a grant-supported DUI saturation patrol on September 4 as the Labor Day weekend began.
School and construction-area concerns	Areas of attention included Franklin Elementary School, construction-related stop-sign concerns at 26th Street and Wilshire Boulevard, and construction and stop-sign concerns near 20th Street and Pearl Street.
Crosswalk and corridor enforcement	Patrol officers focused on pedestrian safety along Wilshire and Lincoln boulevards and coordinated with the Motor Unit on traffic concerns along Colorado Avenue and Broadway.

Homelessness Response

HLP personnel addressed conditions in parks, along the beach, and on downtown sidewalks while helping individuals access appropriate services. The week included direct transportation to veteran resources, coordinated outreach with the Salvation Army, and follow-up planning for people with complex needs. Enforcement contacts also resulted in arrests involving outstanding warrants and narcotics.

HLP Team Stats

Radio Calls	SAMO Bridge / Samoshel Referrals	HLP Self-Initiated Activity	Citations	Total Arrests	Encampments
155	6	128	26	13	20

Key Homeless Response Incidents

Activity or Incident	Response and Outcome
Veteran connected to assistance	Officers contacted a veteran near the Senior Center who requested help with housing and veteran services. After arranging follow-up, officers transported him to the West Los Angeles VA Welcome Center.
Missing juvenile located	During a Virginia Avenue Park check, a HLP officer identified a juvenile reported missing from a psychiatric facility. Officers coordinated with LAPD for safe transportation and return.
Tongva Park outreach	HLP partnered with the Salvation Army on September 2 to conduct outreach to people found sleeping overnight in the park.
Coordinated case management	HLP supervisors facilitated the September 2 CORE meeting with behavioral health, service-provider, City Attorney, and Fire Department representatives. Participants coordinated follow-up for individuals with complex housing, behavioral health, and substance-use needs.
Vehicle theft warrant arrest	A contact involving a blocked sidewalk at 15th Street and Wilshire Boulevard led officers to identify an outstanding $100,000 Santa Monica vehicle theft warrant.
Tongva Park arrest	During a park-closure contact, an individual provided a false name. Officers established his identity, identified outstanding warrants, and recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Beach narcotics arrest	Officers contacted an individual with a knife and an open alcohol container in the 2000 block of the beach. The investigation resulted in an arrest for felony methamphetamine possession.

Community & Youth Engagement

Personnel assisted residents navigating family safety concerns and property issues, connecting them with information and resources. Neighborhood engagement included crime-prevention discussions with Wilmont residents. Across the department, public service efforts included resolving a reported child-safety concern, reuniting missing animals with their owners, and supporting event safety.

Activity	Response and Community Benefit
Family safety concerns	NRO Avila followed up with a resident concerned about increasingly aggressive behavior by an adult family member and a recent police response. He explained the considerations that informed officers’ actions and discussed available resources and reporting options. The resident expressed appreciation for the guidance.
Reported kidnapping UNFOUNDED	CIT investigated a reported kidnapping involving a child and using SMART Center resources located the involved vehicle in Sherman Oaks. After contacting and interviewing those involved, officers determined that no kidnapping or other crime had occurred.
Missing dogs reunited with owners	Following a September 4 domestic violence and animal cruelty response, Animal Control checked the microchips of two dogs taken into protective care. Both were reunited with their original owners after having been reported lost or stolen months earlier.
Pier event safety	CIT provided a quick response team for the Kaskade event on the Pier. The unit reported no significant incidents associated with its assignment.