The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - July 5 - 11, 2026

July 27, 2026 1:20 PM
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From July 5 through July 11, SMPD handled 2,438 calls for service and made 112 arrests.  Calls remained nearly level with the prior week, while arrests increased by 14.  This week’s activity included the recovery of a loaded firearm during a traffic stop, the arrest of a subject threatening others with a hatchet, a residential burglary arrest, and the recovery of a stolen vehicle following SMART Center assistance.  Patrol and specialized units also conducted warrant, narcotics, quality-of-life, and traffic enforcement throughout the downtown, beach, park, and commercial areas.

By the Numbers: July 5 – 11, 2026

Year to date, SMPD has handled 69,032 calls for service, compared to 63,536 during the same period in 2025, an 8.7% increase.  Arrests remain significantly higher year over year, with 2,768 arrests in 2026, compared to 1,627 in 2025, a 70.1% increase.

A compilation of “by the numbers” data is articulated in the chart below.

This Period

7/5 – 7/11

Last Period

6/28 -7/4

YTD 2026

YTD 2025

YTD Change vs. 2025

Calls for Service

2,438

2,426

69,032

63,536

+5,496

(+8.7%)

Resident-Initiated Calls

1,327

(54%)

1,393

(57%)

35,917

(52%)

37,606

(59%)

-1,689

(-4.5%)

Officer-Initiated Activity

1,111

(46%)

1,033

(43%)

33,115

(48%)

25,930

(41%)

+7,185

(+27.7%)

Homeless-Related Dispositions

587

(24%)

551

(23%)

15,815

(23%)

16,447

(26%)

-632

(-3.8%)

Total Arrests

112

98

2,768

1,627

+1,141

(+70.1%)

 

Crime Suppression Weekly Update

Patrol and specialized units addressed weapons violations, burglary, theft, narcotics offenses, threats, resisting arrest, and outstanding felony warrants.  Several significant arrests began with proactive traffic or pedestrian enforcement.  Investigative personnel also continued follow-up work connected to juvenile welfare investigations.

Key Crime Suppression Incidents

Incident Type

Description

Man with a Hatchet

Beach Lot

Officers responded to Barnard Way after a subject reportedly threatened a person with a hatchet.  The subject ignored commands and fled towards a children’s playground.  Officers deployed a less-lethal 40mm round, after which the subject complied and was taken into custody without further incident.

Loaded Firearm Recovered

Ocean Ave & San Vicente Terrace

During a traffic stop near Ocean Avenue and San Vicente Terrace, officers recovered a loaded Glock 22 from a passenger’s waistband.  The firearm had a round in the chamber and an extended magazine containing 21 rounds.  Officers also recovered marijuana and a black ski mask.

Residential Burglary

24th Street

A homeowner reported a suspect jumping a locked gate, attempting to open several doors, entering a garage, and stealing property from a vehicle while a resident was inside the home.  Officers arrested the suspect, and forensic personnel processed the scene.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery

Lincoln & the 10 Freeway

The SMART Center identified a stolen vehicle near Lincoln Boulevard and Interstate 10.  A K9 officer located the vehicle and coordinated a high-risk stop outside Santa Monica.  K9 Norton was deployed in a stand-off posture, and the driver was arrested.

 

Traffic Enforcement Weekly Update

Traffic Enforcement personnel focused on high-visibility enforcement in Downtown Santa Monica, the western portion of Beat 4, school summer-program areas, and major thoroughfares.  Traffic investigators also reviewed collision reports, investigated hit-and-run cases, and assisted with two injury collisions.

 

July 5-11, 2026

Traffic Stops

Citations

Advisals

186

97

84

 

Notable Traffic Incidents

Incident Type

Description

Driver’s License / DUI Checkpoint

Traffic Enforcement conducted an Office of Traffic Safety-funded checkpoint in the 2300 block of Pico Boulevard from approximately 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.  The results of the operation were as follows:

 

  • Vehicles Passing Through: 445
  • Vehicles Screened: 148
  • Field Sobriety Tests: 15
  • Unlicensed Drivers: 1

Traffic Collision

Main & Hill Street

A driver reportedly experienced a medical issue, left the travel lane, and struck a pedestrian and three parked vehicles.  The driver and pedestrian were transported to the hospital.  DUI was not suspected, and the pedestrian was expected to recover.

 

Homelessness Response Weekly Update

The Homeless Liaison Program maintained a coordinated presence throughout downtown, City parks, the beach, and major corridors, balancing outreach with enforcement when criminal activity or outstanding warrants were identified.  Officers worked alongside the Crime Impact Team, Los Angeles County Probation, and Department of Mental Health personnel to address immediate concerns, connect individuals with available resources, and improve coordination during complex contacts.

 

HLP Team Stats

July 5 – 11, 2026

Radio Calls

SAMO Bridge / Samoshel

Referrals

HLP Self-Initiated Activity

Citations

Total Arrests

Encampments

241

90

169

34

26

15

 

Key Homeless Response Incidents

Incident Type

Description

Beach Livability Operation

HLP led a coordinated early-morning beach operation with DSU, the Salvation Army, and The People Concern.  The operation focused on public-space conditions, service connections, and enforcement involving outstanding warrants and narcotics violations.  Results from the operation include:

 

  • 70 Community Contacts
  • 4 Arrests
  • 7 Citations
  • 24 Field Interviews
  • 4 SAMO Bridge Referrals
  • 2 Samoshel Connections
  • 2 Project Homecoming Referrals

Housing Success

During outreach near Virginia Avenue Park, officers contacted a woman who reported that she had been displaced from housing more than a year earlier.  Officers coordinated with SAMO Bridge, Samoshel, and her Exodus case manager.  She accepted a shelter bed and will receive case management while working toward permanent housing.

 

Community & Youth Engagement Weekly Update

Community engagement efforts centered on Independence Day activities, recognition of Community Academy participants, and preparations for upcoming neighborhood events.  Personnel worked closely with department units, event organizers, and community partners to support safe public events and strengthen relationships with residents.

 

Neighborhood Meetings

Community Engagement personnel attended meetings with Northeast Neighbors, Wilmont, the Pico Neighborhood Association, and Montana Merchants to provide departmental updates and address community concerns.

Promenade Business Outreach

Community Engagement Team personnel met with Starbucks management on the Third Street Promenade regarding recurring quality-of-life concerns and calls for service.

National Night Out Planning

The team continued coordinating National Night Out.

Animal Control

Animal Control handled 55 dispatched calls, increased checks at Los Amigos Park following off-leash dog complaints, responded to injured wildlife and coyote sightings, and facilitated pet adoptions.

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Categories

Safety