The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap February 8-14, 2025

February 18, 2025 5:00 PM
by Lewis Gilmour

DEPARTMENT-WIDE STATISTICS

Total Calls for Service (CFS) 02/02 – 02/08: 2,165.  2025 Total:  12.020

 Source of calls:

PATROL OPERATIONS DIVISION

Incidents:

Assault/Elder Abuse- 1300 block of Wilshire Blvd - On 02/02/2025 Suspect and Victim who are strangers to each other were shopping at Vons Market.  Victim reached into the Suspect’s shopping cart for an item he thought was his. Suspect punched Victim (77 years old) on the face.  Victim was taken to hospital and suffered fractured nose.  Suspect was taken into custody without incident.    

Arson Series- 4 locations throughout the City - On 02/08/2025 Officers responded to multiple arson related calls for service. Suspect (transient) detained and ultimately arrested at 20th/ Broadway at 1405 hours.  Suspect was in possession of a lighter and aerosol can of Axe body spray. https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/02/12/

Residential Burglary —1100 block of 20th Street—Officers responded to a residential burglary walk-through where the homeowner arrived home and observed lights on and the patio door open and believed the Suspect was still inside. Forced entry was located to the patio/kitchen door and the front door was barricaded shut. With a search team, Officer Garcia deployed K-9 Norton to search the interior of the 3-story condo. No Suspects located but ransacking and loss of valuables was confirmed.

Residential Burglary – 500 block of  7th Street—Officers responded to the location in regards to reports of a homeowner observing masked suspects with firearms inside of their home via CCTV. The homeowner was not home at time. Along with a K9 officers search the interior of the 2-story home. Forced entry was located to the 2nd floor balcony door to the main bedroom and forced entry to the main bedroom closet door where valuables had been taken. No suspects were located.

City Copper Theft —1500 block of  Colorado Ave - While conducting a periodic check of the 1500 block of Colorado Avenue, Officers observed a male pushing a city green waste trashcan along the sidewalk which had a wire protruding from the lid. After detaining the subject and conducting further investigation, it was discovered the trashcan had over 300 pounds of copper wiring that was stamped “Property of the City of Santa Monica.” Additionally, the Suspect had burglary tools and methamphetamine.  https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2025/02/07/copper-wire-theft-suspect-arrested

Residential Burglary—900 block of 29th St. - Officers responded to the location with additional units in regards to a residential burglary. The reporting party and family had arrived to the unit to move in and discovered forced entry to the patio doors, footprints inside and a second floor light on. No suspects were located. Evidence of ransacking to the bedrooms was discovered.

Assault – Deadly Weapon (Knife) / 100 block of Broadway  - Suspect cuts victim in arm with knife. Officers locate the suspect in an adjacent underground garage. Suspect briefly barricades himself in closet in garage but was ultimately taken into custody.

GTA – Narcotics – Warrants / 700 block of Pacific St.  Using a Flock camera officers identify a stolen UHaul vehicle. Officer stop the vehicle and detained the two occupants. The driver was arrested for GTA. Passenger had narcotics paraphernalia and no bail warrant.

Vandalism – Felony / 1900 block of Wilshire Blvd. (Walgreens)  An unhoused suspect, apparently unprovoked, smashes large display window and drug store. Suspect located nearby and positively identified.

Dirk/Dagger/H&S Violation/Parole hold -1500 4th St - While conducting a livability operation in Downtown area, DSU Officers observed a suspect with a methamphetamine pipe in hand. The suspect was arrested for narcotics paraphernalia and found to be in possession of a folding knife.


H&S/Probation Violation/Warrant  -1400 Palisades Park - Officers conducted a periodic check of the 1400 block of Palisades Park when they observed an individual sitting at a bench who admitted to having paraphernalia on his person. A methamphetamine pipe was located. The suspect was arrested and found to have an outstanding warrant through LAPD.

Traffic Stop Warrant Arrest– Seaside Ter / Appian Way  - Officers conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation. The driver was arrested for an outstanding $110K warrant for carjacking from Riverside.

Suicide – 2600 block of  26th St - Officers respond to the location for a Check the Status.  Officers locate property manager and make entry into unit after attempts to contact the resident are unsuccessful.  Officers located the resident deceased in an apparent suicide.  CID notified. LA County Coroner’s Office responded. 

Stolen Vehicle – 14th / Olympic Blvd - Officers observe a suspicious vehicle as it passed them southbound on 14th St towards Olympic Blvd picking up speed and running through a red traffic light. Officers drove after the vehicle for the VC violation and found it abandoned, with its doors open and engine still running, in the 1600blk of Euclid St (the ignition was later determined to be punched). Officers observed four subjects running from the vehicle. Two of the four occupants were taken into custody. During the course of the investigation, Officers located a replica firearm, Burglary Tools, and Tagging paraphernalia. Both detained suspects are determined to be juveniles. The juveniles were transported to the station and later released to their parents with citations. One of the juveniles was found to be on Probation for Robbery.

CRIME IMPACT TEAM (CIT)

 Weekly Stats:

CIT and DSU collaborated and conducted a parole compliance check of an arrestee DSU identified during an earlier operation. The compliance check resulted in additional narcotics and paraphernalia charges.

CIT, DSU and Motors assisted with the peaceful Santa Monica High School walkout. No incidents to report.

CIT conducted a surveillance at 20th St. and Pico, with the assistance of a plain clothes officer. Several possible hand to hand transactions were observed. A possible target location and subject has been identified. The narcotic investigation is ongoing.   Results:

 CIT conducted high visibility patrols in the Pico Neighborhood:

Officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation. The driver was a known Santa Monica GYC gang member and has a history of narcotic sales. The suspect was found to have a 50K domestic battery warrant and was taken into custody.

CIT received information from area residents of a possible narcotic dealer in the area of 17th St. and Michigan. Follow up was conducted and a possible suspect has been identified. The investigation remains active.

CIT received information from a confidential source regarding a possible narcotics dealer in the 1800 block of Delaware. Follow up was conducted and a possible suspect has been identified. The investigation remains active.

DIRECTED ACTION RESPONSE TEAM (DART)

 Weekly Stats:

DART:

Code Enforcement:

Parole Violation Arrest  1600 block of Ocean Ave -  Officers contacted a suspect found  drinking alcohol in public. The suspect,  on parole for Human Trafficking: Victim being a minor and S1 is a Sex Registrant,  was in violation of conditions of release due to drinking alcohol in public and his close proximity to a park with children. The suspect was arrested.

Parole Violation 1300 Blk of the Beach – A suspect was detained for being under the influence of drugs. Officers discovered the suspect was  in a parolee in possession  of  a drug pipe and was taken into custody.

290 PC Sex Offender Out of Compliance  - 2800 block the beach– DART Detained a suspect for public camping municipal code violation. Using the LACRIS fingerprint reader, the suspect was  positively identified in the field as an out of compliance registered sex offender and taken into custody. The suspect stated he had not registered in years and that he was transient.

Drug Arrest - 00 block of Pacific Terr – Officers observed the suspect smoking marijuana in public (inside car). The suspect was found to have a CHP warrant for DUI. Search of vehicle yielded 450.84 grams of marijuana.

SMPD Warrant Arrest (lewd conduct) 1200 block the beach –   Officers located a suspect with an  outstanding $51,000 SMPD warrant for lewd acts in public. He was taken into custody.

 SMPD Warrant Arrest  - Ocean Ave & Colorado Ave - DART Officers contacted a pedestrian for being in possession of a shopping cart. The subject had methamphetamine on his person and a had 30k warrant out of SMPD. The subject placed under arrest.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM (CET)

NRO Avila, NRO Tago and CPC Barreto attended the US Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (US-CPTED) conference this week. Members were able to speak, hear and connect with CPTED practitioners from all over the United States. The goal of the CPTED Association is to connect CPTED practitioners throughout the country in order to share ideas and information to promote CPTED principles to reduce opportunities of crime, empower communities and improve quality of life for all individuals.

 

Beat 4 – NRO Wang

Code Enforcement contacted NRO Wang regarding a violation at the 900 block 24th Street. The Code Enforcement Officer attempted to contact the resident who was irate and uncooperative. Code Enforcement requested NRO Wang to conduct a premise history check on the location. NRO Wang did not find anything significant from the check. NRO Wang will be monitoring this situation and working with Code Enforcement to seek a successful solution.

 

NRO Wang and Deputy City Attorney Johanna Rodriguez discussed an ongoing issue near the 1100 block of 12th street regarding smoking inside an apartment unit. It was determined that this is out of the jurisdiction of the Police Department and City Attorney; therefore, it must be handled through Civil Court.

 

NRO Wang requested a meeting with Traffic Engineering to discuss traffic related issues pertaining to safety. Community members have been raising several concerns after the three auto vs pedestrian collisions within two blocks. The meeting was productive and informative on both sides. An idea was brought up to have a collaborative event with Police and Traffic Engineering called “Coffee on the Corridor” where both departments can educate the public about mobility and traffic safety. Traffic Engineering requested NRO Wang’s help to promote their newsletter at upcoming meeting pertaining to mobility and traffic safety.

 

Whole foods regional manager reached out to NRO Wang regarding a terminated employee who he believes has been falsely activating the fire alarm. Upon reviewing video evidence, no suspect or crime was determined.

 

NRO Wang attended the Wilmont community meeting with the Chief of Police on February 4th.

 

NRO Wang attended the Action community meeting with the Chief of Police on February 3rd.

 

NRO Wang, with assistance from the HLP Team, responded to a chronic trespassing problem at St Paul’s Lutheran Church located at 958 Lincoln Boulevard. NRO Wang arrested the subject and authored an arrest report. (GO#25-10951). Update: DMH Social Worker Tracey Rodriguez notified NRO Wang that the subject was evaluated and was deemed Gravely Disabled. The subject was transported to UCLA Harbor and will be referred to the HOME team thereafter. NRO Wang notified the RP who was very happy with the results. This issue has been stemming for an excess of one year and this has been the first productive result thus far.

 

Bank of America Security notified NRO Wang regarding safe deposit boxes being moved from the Palisades Fire impacted branch to a temporary location at 16th St/Wilshire Boulevard.

 

NRO Wang attended the NOMA community meeting on February 6th. This community was directly impacted by the Palisades Fire and mandatory evacuations.

 

Jennifer Taylor of Economic Development reached out to NRO Wang regarding a problematic vacant building in the 1600 block of 5th Street. Jennifer Taylor needed NRO Wang to run crime stats from the location. NRO Wang also connected a LiveView Technology cameras representative with Jennifer Taylor to set cameras up at the location.

HARBOR PATROL UNIT

 

Weekly Statistics:

Medical Aid/ETOH 25A – 402 Santa Monica Pier - HSOs were flagged by RP in Observation Deck regarding a male unable to speak nor stand. HSOs requested fire who handled and transported the patient.

 

Medical Aid/Minor Injury 25B – Pier Substation - HSOs responded to the Pier Substation after being requested by officers for a person complaining of pain to her hand following a 211 strongarm that occurred at the 100 block of Colorado. The victim indicated her bag was yanked out of her hand causing it to bend in an uncomfortable position. HSOs examined the injury and provided an ice pack. She was advised to seek further medical care if pain persisted.

Monica-1: In Service 3 out of 7 days due to weather/surf end of week

DEPARTWIDE CRIME REDUCTION EFFORTS/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

Authored By

Lewis Gilmour
Lieutenant

Categories

Safety