February 26, 2026 7:40 AM
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During the week of February 8 through February 14, 2026, SMPD maintained citywide patrol operations while responding to multiple notable incidents, including an armed robbery that resulted in a multi-jurisdictional vehicle pursuit, a residential home invasion, felony narcotics investigations, and several arrests involving parole and probation violations.

Officers conducted proactive enforcement and directed deployments across Downtown Santa Monica, the beach and pier areas, neighborhood parks, and high-traffic corridors. These efforts focused on violent crime suppression, narcotics enforcement, traffic safety, and quality-of-life concerns.

In addition to enforcement activity, the Department continued coordinated outreach related to homelessness response, freeway embankment clean-up efforts, business engagement, and youth outreach at local schools.

By the Numbers: February 8-14, 2026

Year-to-date, Calls for Service total 16,415, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. Arrests are also significantly higher, up 71% year-to-date. The Department has made 636 arrests so far this year, compared to 371 during the same timeframe in 2025.

Crime Suppression

SMPD officers investigated multiple felony incidents during the reporting period, including armed robbery, a residential home invasion involving false imprisonment, felony narcotics sales, weapons violations, and parolee-at-large arrests. Directed patrol operations in Downtown and the beach corridor resulted in 38 arrests and 19 citations, including the seizure of fentanyl and multiple warrant apprehensions.

Key Crime Suppression Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Armed Robbery / Vehicle Pursuit / K9 Apprehension	On February 11, officers responded to an armed robbery at 2nd St. and California Ave. SMART Center resources assisted in tracking the suspect vehicle, resulting in a pursuit that extended into neighboring jurisdictions. Five suspects were arrested, including one located by K9 Frenkie.
Home Invasion / False Imprisonment	Officers responded to the 600 block of 25th Street regarding a residential burglary. Two masked suspects entered the home and forced a housekeeper to identify valuables before fleeing. The investigation is ongoing.
Felony Narcotics Sales (Fentanyl & Methamphetamine)	In the 1500 block of Alley 4, officers observed a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction. A search yielded approximately 21 grams of fentanyl and 7 grams of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested for possession and sales.

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic personnel conducted sustained citywide enforcement focused on school zones, Downtown Santa Monica, Pacific Coast Highway, and other high-collision corridors. High-visibility operations focused on speed violations, distracted driving, equipment violations, and DUI offenses, with enforcement efforts aligned to areas generating community concern and collision trends.

Community Service Officers provided essential support by documenting traffic collisions, conducting preliminary investigations, completing reports, and assisting with traffic control to maintain roadway safety. Their efforts allowed sworn personnel to remain available for priority calls while ensuring timely and accurate reporting.

Firearm Arrest – Traffic Stop

During a vehicle stop on Olympic Blvd, the driver was found to be in possession of an unregistered concealed firearm. The subject was arrested without incident.

Homelessness Response

During the reporting period, Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) officers conducted sustained enforcement and outreach operations citywide. Officers made over 30  misdemeanor and felony arrests related to public camping, parole violations, narcotics offenses, sex-offender registration violations, and outstanding warrants.

HLP coordinated closely with the Department of Mental Health, HoST, Code Enforcement, and contracted partners to address chronic encampments and provide service referrals.

HLP Team Stats:

Key Homeless Response Incidents:

Incident Type	Description
Arrest leads to service referral	Officers contacted and arrested a subject for public camping on the beach who had previously declined services. Following the arrest, officers coordinated with the Department’s embedded DMH clinician and a local case manager, who responded to the jail to re-engage the individual. HLP, DMH, and service providers continue working collaboratively toward a permanent housing solution.
Parks	Personnel responded to Virginia, Reed, Tongva and Palisades Parks where they contacted 44 individuals resulting in 18 citations and 7 arrests.
Encampment Removal	Officers continue to address the freeway embankment encampments. In coordination with HoST and Mariposa Landscaping, over 5,220 pounds of trash was removed from the 1-10 freeway near the Lincoln exit.

Community & Youth Engagement

SMPD personnel continued coordinated outreach and problem-solving efforts across neighborhoods, business corridors, and schools. The Community Engagement Team worked closely with Housing, Human Services, DMH, Code Enforcement, and the City Attorney’s Office to address chronic tenant issues and recurring quality-of-life concerns, resulting in multi-agency mitigation strategies. Personnel also filmed the Blue Notebook Review, providing weekly stats to the community.

 

Notable Events:

	Description
Critical Missing	Harbor personnel continued high-visibility presence along the Pier and beach areas, assisting visitors, responding to calls for service, and safely reuniting a critical missing adult with family members during the reporting period.
Motors @ Will Rogers	Motor Officers conducted outreach at Will Rogers Elementary School, reinforcing positive police interaction and traffic safety awareness
Community Meetings	Officers attended and presented at multiple community meetings, including the Ocean Park Association and Montana Merchants Association. Crime data was shared, departmental priorities were discussed, and business and resident concerns were addressed directly. CET also met with Amazon Corporate Security to review safety protocols and strengthen information-sharing partnerships. Follow-up monitoring was initiated after meeting with a Pico Boulevard business regarding suspicious email activity

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