The October Locals Night on the Santa Monica with classic cars.

Ready for a trick-or-treating adventure in Downtown Santa Monica?

Santa Moinica is conjuring up the perfect trick-or-treating roadmap, so make sure you're dressed to impress! Participating businesses will be handing out candy from 3-6PM, until candy runs out.

Halloween Party on the Promenade

On the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade (between Arizona & Wilshire), join everyone for a Monster Mash for all ages! Dogs are more than welcome to join the fun too (and hopefully wearing costumes of their own...)

The party will include :

Pumpkin decorating
Games
Face painting
Photo ops
Free treats, stickers, and tattoos
And more!

Plus DJ Asha will be spinning all your favorite kids' music 🎃👻

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

On Wednesday, October 16th at approximately 7:00pm, Santa Monica Police Officers responded to the area of 5th Court and Broadway for an individual in need of medical assistance. Upon arrival, officers located a homeless male with a stab wound. The Santa Monica Fire Department responded and transported the individual to a local area hospital for treatment. He remains in serious, but stable condition.

The suspect in this incident is described as male, Black, approximately 20-25 years old with dreadlocks, with a very distinctive “FTP” tattoo on his face.

SMPD Detectives continue to search for surrounding security camera footage of the incident and are asking for the community to contact the Watch Commander (310-458-8426) should you have any information that may assist in identifying the suspect.

Suspect: Male, Black, 20-25 years old, dreadlocks, “FTP” tattoo on his face; Housing status unknown

Victim: Male, Homeless

This incident marks another unacceptable crime in the City of Santa Monica that involves the intersection of complex societal issues of homelessness, substance abuse, and dangerous weapons.

TThe Santa Monica Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in identifying the individual shown in the attached video and photos. The suspect is described as male Black or other, approximately 25-35 years old, with bleached blonde hair, and a black beard wearing a dark shirt and shorts with tattoos on his forearms. This individual is wanted in connection with an assault that occurred on September 22nd at approximately 12:35AM near the 1400 block of Alley 5. He was last seen fleeing the area eastbound on Santa Monica Blvd towards 7th Street.

Seeking Community Assistance

The Santa Monica Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in identifying the individual shown in the attached video and photos. The suspect is described as male Black or other, approximately 25-35 years old, with bleached blonde hair,… pic.twitter.com/9ozj6z1vIw

— Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) October 16, 2024

f you recognize this individual or have any information, please contact Detective Sean Baker (sean.baker@santamonica.gov ) or Detective Sergeant Chad Goodwin (chad.goodwin@santamonica.gov) at 310-458-8932.

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has confirmed that a Santa Monica College (SMC) Custodial Operations Manager was critically injured following a shooting that occurred at the SMC Center for Media & Design (CMD), 1660 Stewart Street, at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Acknowledging the impact of this incident on the students and SMC personnel, Santa Monica College Police Department (SMCPD) Chief Johnnie Adams stated, “As we try to make sense of this horrific act of workplace violence, the safety of our community is our primary focus. We are deeply grateful to SMCPD personnel and all our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.”

“To help our community through this very difficult time, SMC will be providing…counseling and mental/emotional support,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery in an October 15 message to the community. “At this heartbreaking time, I urge us all to come together in kindness and compassion as we navigate this unspeakable tragedy.”

On the evening of the shooting, SMPD, SMCPD, and Santa Monica Fire Department personnel arrived quickly to render aid and secure the campus. The suspect fled immediately after the shooting and remained at large overnight. The victim was transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.

After a swift and thorough investigation, SMPD Detectives identified Davon Durell Dean (D.O.B. 01/08/1985), an SMC employee, as the suspected shooter. Dean has a history of arrests including for attempt murder in 2011 and an assault with a deadly weapon, a firearm, in 2019. His only convictions were for misdemeanor property crimes.

Today, October 15th, at approximately 3:00 pm, officers with the Hawthorne Police Department, located the suspect’s vehicle near El Segundo Blvd. and Aviation Blvd. After a short pursuit, a pursuit intervention technique was used to stop the suspect's vehicle. Despite the efforts of the Hawthorne Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team, Dean was found deceased inside his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Los Angeles County Coroner will be responding.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are working to determine the full sequence of events leading to this tragedy. There are no known additional suspects involved and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“I am so proud of our detectives who worked tirelessly throughout the night in collaboration with our partners at the Santa Monica College Police Department to identify and locate the suspect in this tragic incident. Our officers’ commitment to the safety of the Santa Monica community is evident and remains paramount.” – Chief Batista

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Police officers responded to a report of an assault at Santa Monica College on Monday, October 14, 2024. According to witnesses, a student walking near the intersection of Pico Boulevard and 17th Street after class was struck in the head with a skateboard. The victim was able to call 911 for assistance."

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.

On Monday evening, just before 10 p.m., a Santa Monica College employee was shot at the Center for Media and Design, a Santa Monica College satellite campus on Stewart Street in the City of Santa Monica. The individual was transported to a local area hospital in critical condition and the suspect got away. This was a workplace violence incident, not a random act.

On Tuesday, a standoff with the suspect took place in Hawthorne on Aviation Boulevard just north of El Segundo Boulevard.

Hawthorne SWAT officers surrounded a vehicle facing the wrong way on the street. A deceased person could be seen in the driver's seat. Officers were seen carefully removing a weapon from the vehicle using a long tool and remaining in defensive posture inside the SWAT vehicle.

Santa Monica police were at the scene and confirmed the individual is the suspect in the college shooting. They also said they believe the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Santa Monica Police Department is leading the criminal investigation, with assistance from the Santa Monica College Police Department and Santa Monica College. The College is fully cooperating with authorities, and all Santa Monica College campuses were closed on Tuesday to prioritize the safety and well-being of the community.

Santa Monica College remains committed to maintaining a safe environment for all employees and students. The College has a Workplace Violence Prevention Program, which offers resources and support.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The incident unfolded after a surfer, who had ridden his electric bike to Venice Beach earlier in the day, discovered it was missing when he returned from the ocean. Luckily, the bike was equipped with an Apple AirTag tracking device, which allowed the owner to trace it to Santa Monica. He promptly contacted local authorities for assistance.

Santa Monica officers responded quickly, using the tracking data to pinpoint the bike’s location. Upon arrival, they detained a man near the stolen bike while conducting their investigation. The bike's owner confirmed the electric bike was his, and it was returned in the same condition as when it was taken.



While the suspect did not confess to the theft, officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant. The man was arrested and transported to Santa Monica Jail. The police are continuing their investigation into the bike theft and possible additional charges."




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.

Join us behind the scenes of the Gondola Project on the iconic Pacific Wheel! In this exclusive footage, get an insider's look at the transformation of this beloved ride, now featuring brand-new maps inside each gondola. These maps give tourists and guests valuable information on the stunning views they’ll see from the top of the Ferris Wheel. Watch as our team brings new life to one of the park’s most popular attractions, enhancing your experience from every angle!

The Santa Monica PoliceDepartment has announced an updated about the oficer who was stabbed multiple times :

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, at approximately 5:21 PM, one of our officers was the victim of an unprovoked attack in front of the police station. A male in his 30s stabbed the officer several times before being shot by the officer. The subject died at the scene.

While the investigation into this incident is still ongoing, the identity of the subject has been confirmed as Deyaa Abdelhadi Halaibeh, DOB: 03/03/1996, a resident of New York State. Halaibeh’s current housing status is unknown. He has no criminal history in California and no prior contacts with the Santa Monica Police Department. In New York, there was a domestic violence case against him on January 4, 2024.

Halaibeh is suspected of committing a robbery at the Target store at 420 Broadway in the city minutes before the attack at the police station. At approximately 5:16 PM, a SMPD Downtown Services Unit officer was flagged down by store security about a robbery that just occurred. An employee of the store was pushed to the ground and a box of kitchen knives taken by a male subject who fled the area. The box was later found abandoned with one knife missing. This knife, an 8” chef’s knife, was used by the subject when he accosted the officer.



Anyone with information about this individual or incident is asked to contact Detective Zamfirov at peter.zamfirov@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

Additional updates will be issued as soon as they are available.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

October 07, 2024

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

• Windward storm drain at Venice Beach

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

The Santa Monica Police Department released this list of notable incidentsthat occurred September 28- October 4, 2024:

Grand Theft – 1200 Block of Princeton Street. The victim, an elderly male, parked his vehicle along the curb and walked onto the curb to pay the meter. The suspect drove alongside the victim and asked him for directions. The suspect exited his vehicle, telling the victim he wanted to thank him for his help. When he was close enough, the suspect handed the victim some worthless jewelry and placed a necklace around his neck. The suspect then quickly got back into his vehicle and drove away. It was then that the victim realized the credit card he was holding in his hand was missing as well as his necklace.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Robbery – 2000 Block of the Beach Path. The victim was assaulted, stabbed, and robbed by a group of young males. The victim suffered two non-life-threatening wounds to his back. The suspected fled on foot. The victim could not provide any other information about the suspects.

Gang Graffiti - 2900 Pico Boulevard. Gang graffiti was located by officers. A report was taken, and a request was made to Public Works for removal.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – 2500 Block of 28th Street. Officers responded to a residence regarding a stabbing and discovered two brothers had been fighting. One of the suspects used a pair of small grooming scissors to stab the victim twice on the shin. The victim had two small puncture wounds and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Grand Theft – 1300 Block of Wilshire Boulevard. The victim had just parked in the lot for a business on Wilshire when the suspect approached her door and accused the victim of hitting her car. When the victim exited her car to look for damage, the suspect took the victim’s purse from the front passenger seat and fled.

Burglary – 1500 Block of Street. Officers responded to a call of a burglary at a church. The reporting party stated he heard noises coming from the main room and saw a subject exiting the building. The suspect was seen leaving in an older white sedan. A walk through of the building revealed a missing piano and a bass. The suspect made entry through a window.

Traffic Collision with Injuries - 1500 block Pico Boulevard. An adult male was riding a bicycle without a helmet westbound on Pico. The bicyclist performed a lane change and was struck by a vehicle from behind. The vehicle and driver remained on-scene. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a head injury. Driver determined to not be under the influence and released.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon – 2500 Block of Main Street. Officers responded to a call of a stabbing. The suspect and victim were last seen running southbound on Main Street. Officers arrived and located a crime scene. An area check was negative for the suspect victim and suspect were in a verbal altercation when the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim, possibly in the arm. Local hospitals were advised, and the scene was processed by forensics.

Vandalism - City Hall. Unknown suspect(s) smashed a window to the City Clerk’s Office. It did not appear that entry was made to the location.

Residential Burglary (HOTPROWL) – 400 Block of 24th Street. Suspects cut the rear screen to a sliding door, entered the location, and were startled by resident who was returning home. The suspects fled the location and possibly left in a vehicle described as a white mid-sized 4-door sedan.

Threats – 2400 Block of 16th Street. Officers responded to a report regarding a student who was planning on taking a gun to school. The information was sent through text messages and FaceTime. The Department’s Youth Services Division contacted the school district and took the lead in tracking down the student and ensuring no violence would occur on campus. Traffic Collision – Palisades Park / Wilshire Boulevard. SMPD officers responded to a single vehicle traffic collision into the cement bluff barrier in Palisades Park at the Ocean Avenue/Wilshire Blvd intersection. Both adult occupants were out of the vehicle prior to police arrival. The driver sustained a very minor injury, and the passenger was unharmed. The cement barrier stopped the vehicle from falling down the bluff, onto Pacific Coast Highway. The driver was deemed not to be driving under the influence.

Traffic Collision / DUI - 1500 Block Pacific Coast Highway. In the early morning hours, a solo vehicle rollover occurred in the southbound lanes of 1500 Block of Pacific Coast Highway. The vehicle came to rest on its rooftop, blocking the entrance to the McClure Tunnel - E/B I-10 Fwy. Due to the road closure an SM Alert was issued. SMPD and CHP Units responded and contacted the driver (sole occupant) of the vehicle and performed Field Sobriety Tests. The driver, who was not injured, was arrested for DUI.

Petty Theft / Resisting Arrest - 1406 Marine Street (Marine Park). A reporting party from the 1300 Block of Ashland Avenue called about a homeless male trespassing on their property. As the officer arrived, the subject was seen walking away holding items from the residence. When officers attempted to detain the suspect, he forcibly resisted arrest, causing minor injuries to two officers. The suspect was cited out and taken to a local medical center on a mental health hold.

Traffic Collision with Injuries – 2200 Block of Olympic Boulevard. Officers responded to the 2200 block of Olympic Boulevard for a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on a motorized scooter. The victim, a female in her late 40s, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of severe injuries. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. No DUI was involved.

 Traffic Collision with Injuries / City Property Involved - 1800 blk Ocean Ave. Two vehicle collision, resulting in damage to city property (center median electrical pole and foliage) causing debris field that shut down Ocean Ave (Olympic to Pico) for several hours. Non-life-threatening injuries to both parties.

The Santa Monica PoliceDepartment has announced an updated about the oficer who was stabbed multiple times :

We are pleased to announce that our officer has been released from the hospital and is now home, focusing on recovery. We are all grateful for his dedication to protecting our community and will do everything we can to help him and his family through the hard work of recovering from this attack.

This has been a challenging time, but the unwavering support from our residents has reminded us of the strength in unity. Our community thrives when we come together, and your encouragement has been a crucial part of the healing process. As we continue to support each other, we reaffirm our commitment to working hand-in-hand for a safer and stronger neighborhood. Together, we are more than a community—we are a team. Thank you for standing with us.
For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Breaking News on Saturday afternoon about an officer getting stabbed and the suspect being shot in Santa Monica near the police station:

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, at approximately 5:21 PM, an officer from the Santa Monica Police Department was the victim of an unprovoked attack.

The officer was on foot at the front of the police station to collect information from a resident about an unrelated call when he was confronted by a male in his 30s at the front doors of the station.

Our officer explained to the individual that he needed to wait while he spoke with the other party. Without warning, the individual attacked the officer while pulling a knife from his clothing. The suspect slashed and stabbed the officer. The officer immediately moved away and armed himself with his duty weapon. The suspect followed the officer continuing the knife attack as the wounded officer retreated around the corner of the building where the officer involved shooting occurred.

Santa Monica officers rendered medical aid to the subject until Santa Monica Fire Department took over life support efforts. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is responding. Per protocol, the Santa Monica Police Department is conducting an internal investigation to ensure that policy and procedures were followed. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will be investigating this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to contact the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

Boarding For Breast Cancer is thrilled to announce the 17th Annual Skate The Coast October 26 + 27, 2022 in Santa Monica, CA.

Skate the Coast is a 15 mile skate-bike-roll from the Santa Monica Pier to Dive N Surf in Redondo Beach along the iconic Southern California Strand with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop for this mellow cruise.

B4BC welcomes anyone on wheels of all ages and abilities to join this push for prevention as we raise funds for B4BC's education, prevention and survivorship programs. Please help us reach our $75K goal by registering today! Registration includes an event tee shirt, goodie bag and prizes for top fundraisers!



THE DETAILS

OCTOBER 26 | REGISTRATION PARTY
VENICE, CA | 3PM-8PM

Lets kick-off Skate The Coast with a registration party at Firestone Walker Brewery in Venice,CA on October 26! Swing by to sign your waivers, get your event tee + goodie bag and stay for live music, good food and cold drinks, raffles and auctions!

OCTOBER 27 | SKATE THE COAST
9AM-4PM

Skate-bike-roll 15 miles from the Santa Monica Pier to Dive N Surf in Redondo Beach with B4BC and friends! This is a collective push for prevention with three hydration stops along the way.

The morning will start at Veteran's Park in Redondo Beach where we'll load the shuttles to the Santa Monica Pier. From there we'll cruise down the coast to Arbor Venice, Marina Del Rey, Dockweiler State Beach, Hermosa Beach and finishing off at Dive N Surf for awards and celebrations. Our finish line party includes live music, food, adult beverages, raffle prizes and silent auction.



For more details and to register, Click Here ⁠

New video from Real Skate Stories.

"oin us as we pay tribute to Shogo Kubo, celebrated as the most stylish skateboarder in history. This video features a compilation of his most impressive performances, alongside his 1977 Skateboarder Magazine "Who's Hot" interview that reveals the passion and dedication behind his craft. As a founding member of Dogtown Z-Boyz team, he is one of the greatest skateboarders of the 70's and 80's and was mentioned by Mark Gonzales as his second most influential skater ever. Experience the blend of skill and style that has made Kubo a beloved figure in the skateboarding world, inspiring countless fans and aspiring skaters alike, and cementing his legacy as perhaps the most stylish skateboarder ever."

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

Another glimpse into the real-life troubling issues the beachside city of Santa Monica has on a daily basis. Some of these scenes may be disturbing or gross to some viewers, therefor viewer discretion is advised.

The Santa Monica City Council will hold a study session Tuesday, Oct. 8, to discuss the proposed Games Agreement to host beach volleyball on Santa Monica State Beach, the birthplace of the modern sport, for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

The first of four formal agreements with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, or LA28, the Games Agreement would secure Santa Monica as a venue city and provide a framework for future, more detailed, agreements.

The discussion is the result of more than a year of negotiations between Santa Monica city staff and LA28 and is an opportunity for the City Council and the public to weigh in on the proposed deal points and the potential costs and benefits of moving forward.

One huge concern is that the agreement prohibits public and private events from being hosted citywide unless approved by or in coordination with LA28. Which mean any type of event in the city must be approve by the Olympic committee. The current agreement does not state whether or not the Pier will be allowed to stay open

“Santa Monica is an iconic destination known worldwide. And as the birthplace of the modern sport of beach volleyball, there is no better place to host the competition for the 2028 Summer Olympics,” City Manager David White said. “The city team has worked hard to negotiate a deal that works for Santa Monica, and the study session is a critical opportunity for the City Council and the public to provide input on what’s best for our unique community.”

If the council gives direction to move forward, a finalized Games Agreement would come back for a final vote at a future meeting. Exact terms, conditions, costs, and operational details would be negotiated in three additional future agreements.

A person freom Michigan was found guilty of murdering a man at the beach in Santa Monica

On November 2, 2022, Santa Monica Police Officers responded to Lot 1 North, the beach parking lot just north of the Pier, for a suspicious circumstances call. A parking attendant noticed a male subject lying motionless in the driver seat and possibly bleeding.

Officers located the vehicle in the west end of the parking lot, facing the beach. The individual inside the vehicle was clearly grievously injured in a knife attack and was confirmed deceased by responding firefighters. Initially, the victim was listed as a John Doe. Forensics Specialists responded to the scene, collecting hundreds of DNA swabs and latent fingerprints along with over a thousand photos. SMPD detectives quickly learned the victim was a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, who recently purchased the vehicle from a private party in Southern California.

Using evidence collected from the vehicle and other investigative tools, the murder suspect was identified as Dearborn resident Mohamed Abou-Arabi (DOB: 01/22/2000). The LA County District Attorney’s Office filed a single count of murder with an enhancement for utilizing a knife to commit the fatal attack. A warrant was then issued for Abou-Arabi’s arrest.

With crucial assistance from the Dearborn Police Department, SMPD was able to pinpoint Abou-Arabi’s movements from California back to Michigan following the attack. In January 2023, SMPD Detectives flew to Michigan and arrested Abou-Arabi for murder. He was booked into the Santa Monica Jail on January 18, 2023, and has been in the custody of LA County since that time.

At trial in September of 2024, Abou-Arabi was found guilty of First-Degree Murder. His sentencing will be in December.

Abou-Arabi has no prior arrests or convictions in California. He has two prior arrests for misdemeanor weapons offenses in Michigan. Abou-Arabi refused to provide a motive during the investigation and trial.

3rd Annual Santa MoniCARES Volley-Ween Tournament and Fundraiser on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024. Enjoy games, entertainment, food, a friendly volleyball tournament and a Halloween costume contest at Perry’s Beach Cafe & Rentals. Register for just $35 to attend and/or play either on your own or with a volleyball team of 2, 4 or 6 players. All proceeds will go towards Santa MoniCARES and its charities.

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.