January 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Police Ask Sheriff’s Help in School Hate Crime Case:

Santa Monica’s police department has asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to step in and investigate administrators of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest, citing the close relationship between the district and the City of Santa Monica. During Santa Monica police’s recent investigation of a hate crime at Santa Monica High School, officers were informed of allegations that school administrators had handled the incident unlawfully. “This referral is routinely made to avoid any appearance of a potential conflict of interest; it does not signify any determination by the police department that any administrator acted unlawfully,” notes a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD).

Sgt. Richard Lewis, SMPD’s public information officer, explained that despite the referral his department is still actively investigating the incident between the students itself.

The Associated Press reported that authorities are investigating accusations that administrators destroyed evidence. Sgt. Victor Lewandowski of Internal Investigations Bureau of the Sheriff’s Department said he couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation and that it was too early in the investigation to state what the high school administration might be charged with.

“The District welcomes the investigation and is fully cooperating with the Santa Monica Police Department,” read an e-mail from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to the Mirror. “In light of the investigation we are not at liberty to discuss this any further.” On June 21, SMPD began investigating a hate crime regarding a May 4 incident in which a brown wrestling dummy was suspended with a rope around its neck and black wrestler was strapped by connecting a chain to a belt loop on his pants to a locker while a couple of his teammates allegedly made racial remarks. One of the racial epithets allegedly made was “slave for sale.” But the Santa Monica Bay Wrestling Club explained in an e-mailed statement to the press that the wrestling dummy is frequently hung from a chin-up bar by a rope under the armpits for drilling, but on the day of the incident the attempt to hang the dummy failed resulting in a rope around the dummy’s neck, the statement explained. “The rope was tied in a noose-like knot at some point, just as a way to try to set up the dummy for practice,” the statement reads. “This was an understandably disturbing scene to some students, both black and white, but any noose symbolism was not the stated intent of the actions.” The wrestling club statement then describes that strapping the black wrestler to the locker incident as “completely unrelated” to the hanging dummy. “In spite of what has been published in the papers . . . nearly every student on the team, regardless of race, has been the subject of this prank at some point in the season. The Santa Monica Bay Wrestling Club also cites interviews with the wrestlers involved, as well as administrators, teammates, and the team’s coach. The statement contests that no derogatory racial statements were made at any time during either incident. “On the surface, and as it was reported in the press, these two incidents seem related and can be misconstrued by outsiders as racially motivated,” the statement reads. The LA Times reported that students involved have since been suspended or received other discipline. Additionally, the entire wrestling team has undergone sensitivity training. The assaulted student’s mother, Victoria Gray, told the LA Times she was upset because she didn’t find out about the incident until May 31 when a parent told her. Gray told the LA Times that she was never notified by the school.

in News
<>Related Posts

Former SWAT Officer Who Braved Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Loses Everything in Palisades Fire

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

Jeff Garris, a retired Pittsburgh SWAT officer celebrated for his heroism during the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, faces a...

(Video) At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, andpersonalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel. Vistamar’sunique...

WeHo Deputies Detain Suspected Looting Suspect Posing as Firefighter Near Getty Villa

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Deputies Apprehend Man Dressed in Firefighter Gear Without Proper Identification   West Hollywood Sheriff’s deputies detained a potential looting suspect impersonating...

Driver Arrested in Hit-and-Run That Injured Santa Monica Police Department Officer

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Malibu Resident Faces Felony Charges After Driving Through Checkpoint A Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) employee was injured in a...

Mayor Bass Updates Emergency Order to Accelerate Wildfire Recovery in Los Angeles

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

RVs Approved as Temporary Housing; Streamlined Permitting and Task Forces Approved Mayor Karen Bass has updated the executive order of...

Los Angeles and Orange County DAs Propose Tougher Looting Penalties During Disasters

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

New Legislation Would Increase Punishments, Close Legal Loopholes Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Orange County District Attorney...

Westside Businesses Transform Into Distribution Hubs and Shelters Amid Devastating Fire

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Local businesses and volunteers transform spaces into shelters, donation hubs, and meal services, stepping up to support evacuees and frontline...

Map Shows Where Palisades Homes Were Destroyed or Spared With Images

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Over 5,300 structures have been destroyed with 12,000 threatened by the Palisades Fire, which has already charred 23,713 acres and...

Palisades Fire: 23,713 Acres Burned, 14% Contained as Firefighters Work to Contain Heat Sources

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

Eight Lives Lost, Free Meals for Victims, Updates on Critical Fire Weather, Pet Recovery  The Palisades Fire has now burned...

Film Review: A Complete Unknown

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

FILM/ REVIEWA COMPLETE UNKNOWNRated R141 MinutesReleased December 25th  One of the first scenes shot for A Complete Unknown is set...

Officials Warn of Scams and Price Gouging Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

Leaders Share Price Gouging Reporting and Scam Safety Tips  California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined local leaders in Los Angeles...

City of Los Angeles Distributes N95 Masks Amid Toxic Air Quality Crisis

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

City Urges Residents To Stay Safe With Masks During Wildfire Conditions The City of Los Angeles has announced the availability...

Santa Monica Police Make Over 40 Arrests in Evacuation Zones Amid Wildfire Response

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

Arrests Include Burglary, Curfew Violations, and Firearm Possession Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department have arrested more than 40...

Man Impersonating Firefighter Arrested, Details Emerge on Those Killed in Palisades Fire

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

As the Palisades and Eaton fires continue to devastate Southern California, officials have confirmed a combined death toll of 24...

Palisades Fire Updates: Critical Fire Weather, Damage Reports, and Vital Resources for Impacted Residents

January 13, 2025

January 13, 2025

Hazardous Conditions and Water Warning in Los Angeles County into Next Week  The Palisades Fire is now 13% Contained and...