The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - July 19-25, 2025
August 5, 2026 10:55 AM
by
SMPD handled 2,316 calls for service and made 114 arrests during the reporting period. The week included significant investigative activity across the department. A 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody in connection with the July 20 homicide in Lot 1 North; a separate homicide at 1905 Pico Boulevard resulted in a suspect being located and detained by LAPD after SMPD broadcast identifying information; and investigators apprehended the suspect wanted in the July 3 road rage shooting following a coordinated operation that ended with the recovery of a stolen vehicle and two loaded handguns. Patrol and specialized units also made arrests related to organized retail theft, burglary, warrants, narcotics, and other offenses
In addition to enforcement efforts, HLP coordinated two notable service outcomes, including placement of a long-time Clover Park individual into detox and the successful reunification of another individual with family in Wisconsin through Project Homecoming. Traffic personnel continued focused enforcement and supported major City events, while K9, CIT, CSO, PSO, Patrol, Harbor Unit, and other personnel maintained visibility and operational support throughout the City.
By The Numbers: July 19-25, 2026
SMPD activity remained steady overall, with ten more calls for service than the prior week. Arrests increased from 108 to 114, with 81 arrests involving individuals identified as experiencing homelessness.
- Calls for Service
- 2,316 calls for service this week
- Up slightly from 2,306 calls for service during the prior week
- Year-to-date calls total 73,654
- This compares to 68228 during the same period in
2025, meaning that we’ve seen a +8.0% increase YoY
- Of note, homeless-related calls accounted for 21%
(482) of total dispositions during the past week
- Year to date homeless related disposition total 16,812, compared with 17,791 at this time in 2025 (a -5.5% YoY decrease)
- Arrests
- 114 arrests this week
- Year-to-date arrests total 2,992
- This compares with 1,770 during the same period last year, meaning that we’ve seen a +69.0% increase in arrests YoY
A compilation of “by the numbers” data is articulated in the chart below.
|
This Period 7/19 -7/25 |
Last Period 7/12 – 7/18 |
YTD 2026 |
YTD 2025 |
YTD Change vs. 2025 |
|
|
Calls for
Service |
2,316 |
2,306 |
73,654 |
68,228 |
+5,426 (+8.0%) |
|
Resident-Initiated
Calls |
1,403 (61%) |
1,362 (59%) |
38,682 (53%) |
40,645 (60%) |
-1,963 (-4.8%) |
|
Officer-Initiated
Activity |
913 (39%) |
944 (41%) |
34,974 (47%) |
27,583 (40%) |
+7,389 (26.8%) |
|
Homeless-Related
Dispositions |
482 (21%) |
482 (21%) |
16,812 (23%) |
17,791 (26%) |
-979 (-5.5%) |
|
Total Arrests |
114 |
108 |
2,992 |
1,770 |
+1,222 (69%) |
Crime Suppression Weekly Update
Activity this week reflected strong field observation,
focused enforcement, and follow-up investigative work across several parts of
the City. Officers disrupted burglary and retail theft activity, located
wanted individuals, recovered firearms, and made arrests tied to both property
and violent crime investigations. Proactive patrols and specialized
deployments also generated arrests for warrants, narcotics offenses, and other
criminal activity in downtown, along the beach, and in residential corridors.
Key Crime
Suppression Incidents
|
Incident Type |
Description |
|
Lot 1 North
Homicide Arrest 1550 Palisades
Beach Rd. |
A 16-year-old suspect wanted in connection with the July
20 fatal shooting was taken into custody. |
|
Homicide Arrest 1905 Pico Blvd |
Officers located a female victim with a fatal wound.
Witness information was quickly developed and provided to surrounding
agencies. LAPD subsequently detained the suspect near Crenshaw and
Exposition. |
|
Road Rage
Shooting Suspect Arrest |
CIT and CID personnel located the suspect wanted in the
road rage shooting investigation. The suspect fled as officers moved
in, and CHP ultimately assumed the pursuit and took the suspect into custody
after a collision. The vehicle was stolen and two loaded handguns were
recovered. |
|
Burglary /
Stolen Vehicle Arrests 2800 block
Highland Avenue |
Proactive patrol led officers to two suspects associated
with vehicle burglary activity. Burglary tools, gloves, ski masks, and
a stolen vehicle were located, and both suspects were arrested. |
|
Organized Retail
Theft 1415 3rd Street |
Two suspects were arrested following a theft and physical
struggle with security. One suspect fled in a vehicle but was
subsequently located by DSU personnel. |
Traffic Enforcement Weekly Update
Traffic personnel balanced high-visibility enforcement with
collision investigation, event support, and specialized traffic safety
work. Enforcement remained focused on Downtown Santa Monica, western Beat
4, school areas, major thoroughfares, and locations identified through
community feedback.
|
July 19-25, 2026 |
||
|
Traffic Stops |
Citations |
Advisals |
|
176 |
106 |
68 |
Notable Traffic
Incidents
|
Incident Type |
Description |
|
DUI Arrest, 300 block Olympic
Drive |
A traffic stop for expired registration developed into a
DUI investigation. The driver was also found to have a suspended
license and an open-alcohol container. |
|
Hit and Run, Main and Hill |
A vehicle sideswiped a bicyclist and left the scene.
The bicyclist’s injury was ultimately documented as complaint of pain, and
Traffic personnel assisted with the investigation. |
Homelessness Response Weekly Update
HLP continued a combination of directed enforcement,
outreach, warrant enforcement, and service coordination across downtown, the
beach, parks, commercial corridors, and freeway embankments. Several
enforcement contacts resulted in arrests on serious outstanding warrants.
HLP Team Stats
|
July 19 – 25, 2026 |
|||||
|
Radio Calls |
SAMO Bridge / Samoshel Referrals |
HLP Self-Initiated Activity |
Citations |
Total Arrests |
Encampments |
|
47 |
6 |
142 |
34 |
21 |
21 |
Key Homeless
Response Incidents
|
Incident Type |
Description |
|
SaMo Bridge |
After months of engagement with a chronic public camper at
Clover Park, HLP coordinated with multiple service partners and successfully
placed the individual into a detox program less than 24 hours after arrival
at SAMO Bridge. |
|
Project
Homecoming |
Officers connected an individual at Virginia Avenue Park
with Project Homecoming, ultimately helping reunite him with his family in
Wisconsin. |
|
Freeway
Encampment Cleared |
Officers cleared a large freeway encampment off the I-10
after arresting the two occupants for multiple active SMPD warrants. |
|
Felony Warrant
Arrests |
Officers located a suspect sleeping in a doorway in
violation of the posted signage and municipal code. The individual was
wanted by LAPD on a $100K felony warrant. Additional individuals were arrested for warrants for
arson and various other violations. |
Community & Youth Engagement Weekly Update
Department personnel maintained a strong presence at major
City events while continuing business contacts, public assistance, and
high-visibility patrols. Specialized teams supported COAST and the State
of the City, and K9 personnel worked with the U.S. Capitol Police on site
safety connected to a Congressional delegation visit. Patrol officers
also conducted business engagement in their assigned beats.
|
National Night
Out |
CET continued finalizing event concepts and logistics for
the August 4 event. |
|
COAST |
K9 teams completed a pre-event safety check; CIT personnel
served in quick-response assignments; a CIT officer supported drone
operations; Traffic personnel assisted with the event. |
|
State of the
City |
SMART Center, Community Engagement Team, K9 and Motor
personnel supported the event on Main Street. |
|
Animal Control |
ACOs assisted officers at Gandara Park, responded to
reported coyote activity, and continued animal-shelter and field operations. |