Spike in Arrests, Drug Incidents, and Mental Health Calls in Santa Monica
By Lewis Gilmour
During the week of March 9 to March 15, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to 2,124 calls for service, bringing the year-to-date total to 23,329. Of these, 1,276 calls (60%) were citizen-initiated, while 848 (40%) were officer-initiated.
Incident Breakdown:
- Homeless-Related Calls: 529 incidents (24% of total calls); year-to-date total: 4,654 (22%).
- Encampment Calls: 31 incidents; year-to-date total: 276.
- Mental Health (5150) Calls: 8 incidents; year-to-date total: 123.
- Arrests: 59 individuals; year-to-date total: 612.
Notable Incidents:
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon (500 block of Broadway): Officers responded to reports of an individual throwing large stones at a store employee after being asked to leave. The suspect was apprehended near Lincoln Boulevard and Colorado Avenue.
- Death Investigation (1300 block of 2nd Street): A male in his 40s was found deceased near Parking Structure 4. Surveillance footage indicated the individual jumped from the structure.
- Burglary (1200 block of 3rd Street): An unknown suspect entered a building through a skylight but left without taking any property. The incident was captured on video.
- Warrant Arrest (1200 Alley 6): Officers detained an individual for a municipal code violation and discovered an outstanding no-bail warrant. The suspect was also in possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Petty Theft with Priors (1300 block of 3rd Street Promenade): A suspect with prior theft convictions and on active parole for elder abuse was arrested following a theft report.
- Trespassing and Resisting Arrest (Tesla, Santa Monica Place): A protester repeatedly entered the Tesla store, causing disturbances and deterring customers. The individual was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (1500 Alley 4): During a routine patrol, officers cited an individual found with a methamphetamine pipe.
- Warrant Arrest and Possession of Stolen Property (7th Street and Colorado Avenue): Officers observed a suspect using a city-owned trash container to transport personal property. A records check revealed an outstanding warrant for possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was taken into custody.
- Stolen Vehicle and Burglary Tools (34th Street and Pico Boulevard): Officers located a stolen vehicle from Long Beach involved in a hit-and-run. Inside, they discovered burglary tools, multiple cell phones, and packages from various Santa Monica locations.
- Dog Bite Incident (2400 block of Centinela Avenue): Animal Control and SMPD officers responded to reports of a pit bull attacking a father and his 4-year-old child. Both sustained minor injuries and were treated on scene. The dog owner left with the animal; follow-up actions are underway.
- Criminal Threats and Mental Health Evaluation (14th Street and Pearl Street): A suspect was accused of harassing and threatening an on-duty crossing guard. Officers located the individual, who was evaluated and transported to a local hospital for further assessment.
- Indecent Exposure and Narcotics Possession (9th Street and Montana Avenue): Two individuals reported a man exposing himself and engaging in lewd behavior. The suspect was located, positively identified, and found in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
- Resisting Arrest and Parole Violation (1100 block of 15th Street): Officers attempted to stop a bicyclist for a municipal code violation. The suspect fled but was eventually apprehended and booked for resisting arrest, parole violation, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Family Disturbance (2000 block of 5th Street): Officers responded to reports of a woman causing a disturbance related to infidelity. The suspect armed herself with a metal car jack and resisted officers during the arrest.
Special Operations:
- Probation Compliance Checks: The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) assisted the Detective Services Unit (DSU) and Los Angeles County Probation in conducting seven compliance checks, which resulted in five subjects being found out of compliance. Probation violation warrants will be filed.
- Downtown and Park Patrols: Officers conducted operations in downtown areas, beach locations, and parks, addressing stay-away order violations and monitoring sex crime registrants. Approximately three hours of foot patrol were conducted on 3rd Street, 2nd Street, and Ocean Avenue, with periodic checks of parking structures 2, 4, 6, and 9.
Traffic Education and Enforcement:
- Upcoming Operations: Bike and pedestrian safety operations are scheduled for March 14, 15, and 20.
- Traffic Stops: 72 conducted, resulting in 20 citations and 52 advisals.
- Top Citation Types: Cell phone usage, speeding, expired registration, unsafe lane changes or turns, license plate violations, and stop sign violations.
Crime Impact Team (CIT) Activity:
- Weekly Statistics:
- Traffic Stops: 14
- Pedestrian Stops: 8
- Misdemeanor Arrests: 6
- Felony Arrests: 6
- Field Interviews: 18
- Citations: 3
- Assists: 1
- Radio Calls: 5
- Bike Stops: 3
- Gang-Related Interactions: 3
- Traffic Stops: 14
- Operations: Crime suppression efforts were conducted in the Downtown Santa Monica footprint and the Pico neighborhood, though activity in the latter was limited due to weather conditions.
Directed Action Response Team (DART) Activity:
- Weekly Statistics:
Directed Action Response Team (Dart)
Weekly Stats:
- Arrests – 9
- Field Interviews – 9
- Citations – 5
- Encampments Addressed – 16
Code Enforcement
- Contacts/Advisals – 76
- Verbal Warnings – 38
Incidents of Note:
1600 Ocean Front Walk – Warrant Cite Out – DART contacted the suspect for a municipal code violation and discovered he had two outstanding SMPD warrants. Cite out in the field.
1500 block of Santa Monica Beach – Probation Violation / Poss of Meth – DART contacted a suspect for a municipal code violation. Further investigation revealed the suspect was on probation and had not checked in as required. The assigned Probation Officer granted a probation hold. Upon arrest, the suspect was found in possession of meth.
2000 Block of Ocean Ave, Lower Crescent Bay Park, Possible concealed weapon / OSJ Warrant – DART contacted a suspect for an outstanding felony warrant out of Manhattan Beach for $250,000. Investigation revealed the suspect was also in possession of a concealed dirk/dagger and a meth pipe.
1400 Block of 3rd St Promenade: Municipal Code (Muni Code / 148.9(a) PC -Refuse to ID) Officers contacted the suspect for a municipal code violation. During their investigation, the suspect refused to provide ID. He was arrested and later identified.
1700 Blk of Ocean Ave., Shoplifting Arrest DART handled a call for service regarding shoplifting and disturbance at a retail location. The suspect was arrested for shoplifting and is a chronic offender, generating three other calls for service in the pier and downtown area prior to arrest.
Officers contacted the suspect for a municipal code violation. The suspect failed to check into LACO probation. With the probation officer on the scene, a hold was issued, resulting in an arrest for the municipal code violation and the felony hold.
A Sex Crime Registrant was found out of compliance and arrested.
A suspect was arrested for meth possession and a shopping cart.
A suspect was located near the Peoples Concern with a $51k arrest warrant.
Officers responded to a large encampment behind the Salvation Army. The officer contacted a suspect who was found to have an outstanding SM Bench warrant for $30k.
Homeless Liaison Team (HLP)
Weekly Stats:
- DMH Mental Health Evals – 5
- DMH Referrals to Service – 5
- DMH 5150 Hospitalizations – 1
- Referrals to Service – 7
- 311 Calls Handles -16
- Radio Calls – 21
- Self-Initiated Activity – 114
- Periodic Checks – 58
- Encampments Addressed – 5
- Advisals – 33
- Field Interviews -10
- Citations – 9
- Felony Arrests -1
- Misdemeanor Arrests – 2
Encampment, Dirk or Dagger, Narcotics, Warrant Arrest: HLP Officers were patrolling in the 1400 Block of 16th Street and observed a subject in violation of 4.08.095 (a) MC- Public Camping. The subject was contacted and identified as a chronic subject in the area who has been contacted by HLP Officers numerous times. The subject has been issued multiple citations for Public Camping and has refused services when offered. A records check revealed the subject had three outstanding SMPD warrants totaling over 100K. Additionally, the subject was in possession of a concealed knife, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia. The subject was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the SMPD Jail.
Encampment, Narcotics Arrest HLP: Officers responded to the Civic Center Auditorium in reference to a subject who created a makeshift tree house. During the detention, the subject was in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The subject was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the SMPD Jail.
