From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica police officers have detained a man on Ocean Avenue on Saturday, March 18, 2023. According to sources, the man allegedly punched a food vendor in the face at Palisades Park. Despite the severity of the incident, the man was not arrested, as the victims did not want to press charges. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of local vendors and the need for increased security measures in public areas. It is important to note that incidents like these are not isolated and have been happening more frequently in recent years."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

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Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"Today, my friend called me and let me know that there is a free concert car show and a silent disco on the Santa Monica Pier. I believe spring break started already. Lots of people walked on the pier in Santa Monica. We had fun listening to the free concert. The car show was amazing with classic cars and super cars. We also walked around the ferris wheel and all the other rides on the pier it was a fun day, lots of things to see.."

If you would like to support German in Venice with some gas money or you want to buy him a coffee, you are welcome to donate to his paypal account: https://paypal.me/germaninvenice

The Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID), in conjunction with the Special Operations Division, has identified and arrested a suspect involved in a felony assault that occurred yesterday morning.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 8:15 AM, patrol officers responded to a 911 call from a Downtown Ambassador who reported a subject down in Palisades Park near the Camera Obscura. Arriving officers located a City of Santa Monica employee who had been stabbed in the upper torso when he attempted to rouse an individual sleeping in the area. The suspect fled the area prior to officers’ arrival. The victim was transported by the Santa Monica Fire Department to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.

This morning, CID detectives were able to identify a possible suspect and at approximately 1100 hours officers located and arrested him. In custody for aggravated assault:

Barna, Allen Cranford DOB: 10/6/1982



Anyone with information pertaining to this incident or person involved is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Pollnow at 310-458-8455 or steven.pollnow@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.

This happens just a couple of days after another Homeless Man Arrested for Attempted Murder and Hate Crime on the beach in Sata Monica.

According to SMPD officer, lady was driving very fast. Her Mercedes convertible hit a tree, completely destroyed the bus stop next to it, then ended up on the other side of the street against a parked van. Ripped the whole side of her car off, and destroyed a rental e-scooter as well.

On Friday, March 3, 2023, at approximately 7:30 AM, SMPD patrol officers responded to a call of an attempted assault in the 1100 block of the beach. The suspect, later identified as Job Uriah Taylor, approached the African American victim who was walking his dog and threatened to attack him with a metal pipe. Taylor yelled several racial slurs at the victim. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel working nearby intervened, fending off suspect Taylor who rode away on his bicycle in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured, and officers were initially unable to locate Taylor.

Soon after, at about 7:50 AM, the Police Department responded to a call of an assault happening now on the north side of the train platform at 4th Street and Colorado Ave. The same suspect was seen attacking a male and female, both African American, with the same pipe he was brandishing at the 1100 block of the beach. Taylor hit the victims multiple times in the head while yelling more racial slurs. Taylor was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Santa Monica Jail for booking.

Taylor was charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. In addition, hate crime allegations were added to the two counts of attempted murder and the assault with force. Two victims were transported to the hospital; one released the same day and the other still being treated for a head injury.

Santa Monica Police Department Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Detectives are seeking witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the incidents. Anyone with any additional information pertaining to this incident or suspect is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Jacob Holloway at 310-458-8934, Jacob.holloway@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.

Heavy rain storms flood Ocean Park Beach in Santa Monica.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Skateboarders gathered at Santa Monica Beach for Beyond the Board's meet-up on Saturday, March 11th, 2023. Beyond the Board is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to empower people with confidence and community through longboarding. By creating safe and inclusive spaces for people of all backgrounds to explore their creativity, Beyond the Board promotes a culture of belonging among riders of all skill levels." >

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz

Hundreds of believers march to proclaim the name of Jesus, save the lost, bring revival to the city of Santa Monica.

After delighting guests with more than 12 million rides at the Santa Monica Pier, the 6,000 pound, 26 feet long, bright green Sea Dragon is taking its last ride into retirement with an epic helicopter flight across the Santa Monica Bay and landing at the Port of Hueneme.

Goodbye, Sea Dragon! You will be missed.

Join us at the Santa Monica Pier once a month for a curated series for locals. Gather your friends and family and head down to the Pier for amazing entertainment including youth activities, a car show, local DJs and live music from local bands, art exhibits, and so much more! You really won't want to miss out on this incredible and unique outdoor setting to unwind with friends and loved ones all while celebrating Santa Monica.

March 16th, 3 - 9PM

And much, much, more..... Click Here

Project Save Our Surf returns to Tower 26 to clean the beach. Buckets, gloves and light snacks will be provided.

Sat, March 11, 2023,
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST

Santa Monica Beach Tower 26
2559 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Come join Project Save Our Surf for a fun afternoon of music and refreshments cleaning the beach. Buckets and gloves will also be provided for the cleanup. Connect with others in Los Angeles working to support our environment.



For more info, Click Here

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Thursday, March 2, 2023, at around 5pm, according to Public Information Officer Lieutenant Flores, Santa Monica Police Officers and fire personnel responded to a call about a male who was down at Palisades Park. Upon arrival, they discovered that the man, who was homeless, had passed away. The cause of death is not yet known, but there were no signs of foul play. It appears to be an overdose according to the officers investigating."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz

The Ocean Awareness mural "Against the Currents" at Santa Monica High School is finally complete. The work is a collaboration with LA-based artist Sandra Nguyen, the City of Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment.



Exploring the depths of the Pacific Ocean - featuring the elusive Pacific eel, mesmerizing jellyfish, and the towering giant sea kelp.



The Garibaldi fish is not only a stunning species native to the Pacific Ocean but also the California state marine fish. With its vibrant orange color, it can often be found in rocky intertidal areas and kelp forests along the Pacific coast.



The leopard shark, native to the Pacific coast, is a graceful and harmless species that plays an important role in the ocean ecosystem.


The bat ray, native to the Pacific Ocean, is a graceful and fascinating species.


The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a species of sea turtle that can be found in the Pacific Ocean.


Rowing towards a cleaner ocean.


LA-based artist Sandra Nguyen putting the final touches on a new mural along 4th Street.

Below is the wall before the mural was painted:

Runoff from Los Angeles after recent rains.

Photo via TC.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

/"In Santa Monica on Sunday, February 26, 2023, police officers arrested a man who allegedly stole two electric scooters from a bike rental vendor at Santa Monica Beach. After responding to a 911 call reporting the theft, police spotted a man near the 1700 block of Main Street and identified him as the suspect. The victim also confirmed the man's identity."

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz

Garbage from the Pico Storm Drain flows out into the Santa Monica Bay during a winter storm.

Venice Healer Daisy goes over to the Santa Monica Police station to rant about Orange County courts not letting her see her children that were removed from her several years ago.

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Come join Wild Keeper Cesar and On Trail With to clean up Santa Monica Beach!

Randy Hild and our guests all worked with designer Clive Piercy over a ten-year period. Their groundbreaking collaboration came to define surf culture as we understand it today.

Meeting at Santa Monica Beach State Park, use this coordinate: 34.01327° N, 118.50019° W

Sun, February 26, 2023
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM PST

Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more info, Click Here

Explore the beauty of nature and the rich history of the Gabrielino Tongva.

Sat, February 25, 2023,
2:30 PM – 6:00 PM PST

Tongva Park
1615 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Join your fellow Nature loving community members on February 25th at 3pm-6pm for a cleanup Nature walk hosted by Josh Adujo

The Gabrielino Tongva are the first peoples of this land and have lived in the Los Angeles Basin region for thousands of years. This is a unique opportunity to learn about their history and culture, while also giving back to the community by helping to keep the nature area clean.

For more info, Click Here

Project Save Our Surf returns to Tower 26 to clean the beach. Buckets, gloves and light snacks will be provided.

Sat, March 11, 2023,
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PST

Santa Monica Beach Tower 26
2559 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Come join Project Save Our Surf for a fun afternoon of music and refreshments cleaning the beach. Buckets and gloves will also be provided for the cleanup. Connect with others in Los Angeles working to support our environment.



For more info, Click Here