July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Accepts $800,000 Homeland Security Grant:

As part of a program to help major metropolitan cities and areas remain prepared with homeland security measures, Santa Monica has accepted a grant for $799,076 from the 2013 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

Officially approved as part of the City Council’s consent calendar agenda at its Tuesday meeting, the grant money would, according to City staff, be used “to purchase equipment and training that supports regional homeland security goals.”

The funds were awarded to the City of Santa Monica’s police and fire departments in 2013 and were part of the UASI grant program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Funds were requested to purchase equipment and training that supports regional homeland security goals, specifically an automated license plate reading system for the Police Department, terrorism liaison officer training, hazardous material (HazMat) training and equipment, urban search and rescue (USAR) training and equipment and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) training and equipment for the Fire Department,” City staff stated.

Under the UASI program, the federal government assists major metropolitan areas maintain regional preparedness. Specifically, the UASI grant program was specifically designed to support “core” cities such as Los Angeles as well as its neighboring municipalities who share a border with the core city.

Santa Monica qualifies as a contiguous city under UASI’s guidelines, as it shares a border with Los Angeles on three sides.

“The UASI program directly supports the national priority of expanding regional collaboration within the national preparedness guidelines and is intended to assist participating jurisdictions in developing integrated regional systems for prevention, protection, response, and recovery from natural or man-made disasters,” City staff stated.

As part of the grant program, the UASI and Department of Homeland Security provide funding to the State of California, who in turn distributes the money to the core city. Once funding arrives to the core city, money is then distributed again to those cities that share a border with the core.

Since 2001, Santa Monica has received more than $4 million in no-match grant funds from the Dept. of Homeland Security.

“These funds have purchased necessary equipment, supplies, and training in direct support of overall regional goals to promote effective information gathering, sharing, and response to threats and/or acts of terrorism,” City staff stated.

Of the $799,076 grant, the Santa Monica Police Dept. would receive $47,000 to purchase automated license plate readers (ALPR).

“ALPR is utilized to capture images of all license plates that come into view of cameras and query criminal databases to compare the scanned license plates with those entered in the databases as stolen or wanted,” City staff stated.

The remainder of the grant – $752,076 – would be allocated to the Santa Monica Fire Department and, according to City staff, would fund “terrorism liaison officer training, hazardous material (HazMat) training and equipment, urban search and rescue training and equipment, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training and equipment, and funds to purchase training props and equipment which support regional homeland security goals.”

Council members unanimously approved the receipt of the grant funds.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...