August 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Sees Nearly 9 Percent Spike in Part 1 Crimes

SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud gives crime update.

By Sam Catanzaro

Over the past month, Santa Monica has experienced a string of high-profile crimes. In just one week, an adult son stabbed and murdered his mother. Three juveniles crashed a stolen car and attempted to flee on the Expo Line. A man assaulted a teacher with a stick outside Santa Monica High School.

If these crimes are any indication, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will have another busy year on their hands. On January 30, SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud released a video updating the public on the crime statistics from 2018. Not only did SMPD officers respond to more calls from service in 2018 than in the previous year, but the city saw an increase in serious crimes.

According to Renaud, Santa Monica saw an 8.8 percent increase in Part 1 crimes in 2018 compared to 2017. Part 1 crimes include offensives such as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. Among violent crimes committed within Santa Monica in 2018, 57 percent were aggravated assaults, 35 percent robberies, 7 percent rapes and .8% murders. Renaud says, however, that violent crime is not the signature of the Santa Monica crime scene.

“Property crime and theft drives our crime picture here,” Renaud said.

Renaud noted that among the 2018 robberies committed in Santa Monica, 24 percent were Estes Robberies. Under California law, an Estes robbery is when a suspect steals something from an establishment and is confronted by security or a member of the public. This turns what would typically be a misdemeanor petty theft to a felony robbery.

In addition, Renaud reported that Santa Monica saw an increase in bike theft and a 12 percent increase in theft from vehicles.

“Most of these were window smashes to steal book bags, purses, wallets, money, computers, iPads, even jewelry,  that was left in plain view in the car,” Renaud said.

Despite this uptick in crime, Renaud is optimistic the department can tackle what 2019 throws their way. Specifically, Renaud believes the hiring of additional officers will bolster the SMPD, which is currently operating 20 officers understaffed.

“We have been working hard to fill our budget numbers to get up to full staff,” Renaud said. “Getting these positions hired and trained will be extremely important. As we are increasing our numbers, will are deploying these personnel into forward-facing, field-based units.”

Renaud also mentioned that the department will look to get more officers out of patrols and onto the streets. In addition, community service officers will be more frequently be deployed in the Downtown Santa Monica area.

<>Related Posts

Live Like Braun Memorial Tournament Honors Athlete’s Life on His Birthday on August 9

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Players and Community Members Will Gather to Celebrate Braun Levi’s Life Friends, family, and supporters of the late Braun Levi...

Los Angeles Youth Orchestra to Hold Auditions for 25-26 Season

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The orchestra’s upcoming season includes Fall and Spring concerts at venues such as Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium and Barnum Hall in...

Pepperdine Crash Defendant Hires High-Profile Attorney, Pleads Not Guilty

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Now Represented by Celebrity Defense Lawyer  Facing multiple murder and manslaughter charges, Malibu resident Fraser Michael Bohm...

Boil Water Notice Issued for Parts of Malibu After Construction Disruption

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

 Caltrans Bridge Work Triggers Precautionary Advisory Residents in sections of Malibu are being urged to boil tap water before use...

Big Blue Bus Returns to Palisades This Weekend

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The Route 9 reinstatement is part of a larger set of service changes taking effect After months of limited operations,...

Providence Relocates Palisades Clinics to Santa Monica

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

The relocated clinics are now accepting both existing and new patients Providence has permanently relocated its primary care and pediatric...

Film Review: The Naked Gun

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE NAKED GUNRated PG-1385 MinutesReleased August 1st   The Naked Gun plays to high expectations due to its historic legacy,...

Children’s Hospital to Expand Pediatric Orthopedic Services in Santa Monica with $10M Gift

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

The funding will support expanded clinic space, new equipment, and the recruitment of additional orthopedic specialists in Santa Monica Children’s...

‘Dad Bod’ Contest Comes to Venice Restaurant This Weekend

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

The competition will unfold over three themed rounds: a beachwear walk, a tongue-in-cheek “talent show,” and a final flex-off judged...

City Preps for Return of SaMoHi, Pali High Students by Boosting Safety

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Efforts to ensure student safety include reactivating school crossing guards, completing pedestrian safety upgrades, and promoting free public transit As...

Hot Dog on a Stick and Santa Monica Brew Works Team Up for Santa Monica’s Dog Days of Summer

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Dog-Friendly Event in Santa Monica Supports Local Rescue Group  Santa Monica’s four-legged residents will get their day in the sun...

Santa Monica’s ICARUS AI Launches Global Grant Initiative, Empowering 5,000 Lives Through Education

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

SANTA MONICA, CA – ICARUS AI https://icarus.education/ a local Artificial Intelligence and education technology company, headquartered right here in Santa...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Swiss Firm Partners with California Startup to Aid Wildfire Recovery With AI Robots

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

The robotic microfactories are designed to fabricate structural wall panels on-site with high precision, aiming to speed up the construction...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...