April 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Police Department Commits To Mountain Lion Initiatives:

The Santa Monica Police Department hosted a focus group meeting on Monday in response to the May 22 shooting of a wild mountain lion.

The mountain lion was discovered in the courtyard of 1227 2nd Street in Downtown Santa Monica. The focus group, which met at the Ken Edwards Center, consisted of representatives from the City of Santa Monica, the California Department of Fish and Game, the National Park Service, California State University Channel Islands, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (SPCA-LA), In Defense of Animals, Animal Advocates, Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, and local veterinarians.

Based upon the group discussion, to address future such circumstances, the Santa Monica Police Department has committed to:

— Develop a notification system inclusive of verified, local subject matter experts qualified in wildlife capture. Provide pre-incident training to first response personnel should a similar incident occur.

— Acquire appropriate equipment and tools related to wildlife capture.

— Support on-going efforts to achieve long-term solutions to reduce the likelihood of wildlife entering densely populated urban environs.

SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said the Department presented a comprehensive timeline detailing the various efforts undertaken to safely capture the mountain lion.

“Although these efforts lasted for more than three hours, they were ultimately unsuccessful,” Lewis said. “The mountain lion was killed to prevent it from escaping from the courtyard and endangering the public.”

The group’s participants shared insights on the mountain lion population which inhabits the Santa Monica Mountains, their migratory habits and general behavioral patterns.

Methods of wild animal capture were also discussed including the inherent risks and the reasonableness of those methods when applicable in real-life scenarios.

Public safety, legal considerations, and the need for pre-established agreements to enhance public and private sector partnerships were also discussed.

Lewis said the group’s participants readily acknowledged that although public safety must be the primary consideration under such circumstances, the safe capture of wildlife is a valued response which is subject to a complex series of variables.

“Accordingly, it was agreed that when wild animals are encountered in urban settings, a successful animal capture may be elusive,” Lewis said.

Additional information regarding the focus group presentation may be viewed on the Santa Monica Police Department website at www.santamonicapd.org/.

in News
<>Related Posts

Film Review: Death of a Unicorn

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWDEATH OF A UNICORNRated R107 MinutesReleased March 28th  Death of a Unicorn is certainly an imaginative movie, and it...

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Across L.A. This Weekend

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Target High-Risk Areas, Come With High Penalties The Los Angeles Police Department will conduct a series...

(Video) Adorn Your Home With Plants and Pottery from Urban Jungle

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Go To Urbanjungleplantsandpottery.com For More Info Go To https://t.co/AS6KmhBArb For More Info pic.twitter.com/8NkKBbgpfF — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) April 4,...

Suspect Still Outstanding in Westminster Dog Park Shooting

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The Victim Has Been Described as a “Protector” Who “Got Shot Defending a Homegirl” Police continue to look for the...

THIS WEEKEND: Venice Fundraiser to Support Marine Mammal Care

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The nonprofit rescues and rehabilitates sick and injured marine mammals along the Los Angeles coastline A fundraiser benefiting the Marine...

Join UCLA’s Innovative Memory Research Study!

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Are you ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of memory treatments? Do you sometimes find...

Coming Soon: Easter Extravaganza at Regent Santa Monica Beach

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Book your Delectable Brunch, Easter Festivities This Easter, step into a world of celebration and refined delight at Regent Santa Monica Beach....

Free Saturday Morning Fitness Program Returns to Santa Monica Pier

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The event begins each week with a group run under the historic Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign Wellness & Waves,...

Three Teens Arrested in Santa Monica Armed Robbery

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

The group threatened to shoot if the victim didn’t hand over his phone Three teenagers were arrested after allegedly robbing...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

Historic Beethoven Market Reopens as Community-Centric Restaurant

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Originally established in 1949, Beethoven Market was a grocery store serving the community for 75 years Beethoven Market, a longtime...

(Video) Palisades Art Gallery Owner on Relocating to Santa Monica

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bruce Lurie Owned What Was The Only Fine Arts Space in Palisades. The Gallery Has Found a New Life in...

Mikomi Sushi Opens New Santa Monica Location

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The new location continues Mikomi Sushi’s commitment to serving sushi, sashimi, and specialty rolls Mikomi Sushi, a well-regarded sushi restaurant...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...