On Friday, March 1st, the Santa Monica Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit conducted an Office of Traffic Safety grant-funded Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation focusing on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The operation took place at various locations throughout the city that have been identified as being prevalent in pedestrian and bike involved collisions, as well as in traffic violations that can lead to death or serious injury.

March 8, 2024

An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 9, 2024. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Touring the LA Art Space - A Shoppable Art & Music Festival happening at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

Hey everyone! Come join us at 310 Bay St beach for a beach clean-up on Sunday, March 10, hosted by Solo Scott and sponsored by Dogtown Coffee!

For more info, Click Here.

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

After a long pursuit through Culver City, Santa Monica, Malibu, Camarillo, Agoura, Newberry Park and Ventura County the pursuit finally came to an end in Ventura. The suspect who was driving the stolen lowes truck came to a stop off the the 101 freeway in Ventura when he got off at the exit that leads to North Bank Dr. The box truck drove into a grassy area and got stuck. Less Lethal were deployed and the suspect took off on foot and was taken down by a CHP officer. The suspect was arrested by CHP Ventura.

The Santa Monica Police Department reported on February 29, at approximately 2:10 a.m., a male subject entered a residence in the 2400 block of 2nd Street. The female victim awoke to the subject standing by her bed and touching her face while he masturbated. The victim ordered the subject to leave, and he complied, fleeing the residence before officers arrived.

Officers arrived on scene and obtained security footage of the suspect entering the victim’s house. The video was immediately shared with detectives who, within hours, identified the suspect as Anthony Romero, 28, currently experiencing homelessness.

On Friday, March 1, at 9:22 a.m., Watch officers located Romero walking in the 400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. With the help of the UAS/Drone, which was on scene in minutes, and the assisting K9 officer who contacted the suspect, Romero was taken into custody without incident.

He was booked for Burglary, Indecent Exposure, Attempt to Commit Rape, and a Parole Hold (out of San Bernardino County).

Anyone with details on the incident or Romero is asked to contact Detective McCoy at James.McCoy@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

Tuesday afternoon so another crash on Pacific Coast Highway. This time a multicar crash on the northbound lanes near the Santa Monica Pier. THe crash had one vehicle pushed into the southbound lane.

There will be only one lane open at the 1500 block of Northbound Pacific Coast Highway until further notice. SMPD and SMFD are responding to a traffic collision investigation. Expect delays and use alternate routes.

Photos via @VeniceIntel





For more info on road closures & conditions, Click Here.

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Thursday, March 7th and Friday, March 8th, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

All southbound lanes of Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica were closed on Sunday morning due to a violent ht and run crash that left a fullsize Dodge pickup truck on its side.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier celebrates Women’s History Month with a special lighting of the Pacific Wheel on March 8, International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day is a day of activism and celebration for everyone committed to women’s equality. To mark the occasion, Pacific Park’s famous, solar-powered Ferris wheel will be lit up using the colors purple, green and white. These official IWD colors signify justice, dignity, and hope.

The special light program will run from dusk (around 6–7 pm) to midnight on Friday, March 8. The best views of the Pacific Wheel lights are from the Santa Monica Pier boardwalk just west of the amusement park, or from the beaches south of the Pier.

For more info, Click Here.

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

On Friday, March 1, 2024 the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, three members of the Orange County Model A Ford Club embarked on a unique journey, driving their vintage Model A cars from Orange County to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. This expedition was not just a display of automotive heritage but also a tribute to the historic Route 66, often referred to as the "Main Street of America."

Eric Engel, the editor of the club's newsletter, "The Distributor," shared insights into the significance of their trip and their affection for Route 66. "We are here today at the Santa Monica Pier just to specifically come to this location, Route 66, trails and sign," Engel explained. The choice of the Santa Monica Pier, known as the official end of Route 66, was intentional, reflecting the club members' desire to connect with a pivotal piece of American history."

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

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The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

A homeless man lit a fire under the Santa Monica Pier. SMPD was alerted and when they went under the pier to investigate, the man took off running. The officers put out the fire and gave chase. After running quite a distance south of the pier with officers on foot and in a police vehicle catching up to him, the man eventually stopped running and laid down in the sand to surrender.

As seen in the video, he had lit what appeared to be several items of clothing on fire under the old wooden pier.

Get ready for the ultimate showdown in competitive eating as the Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' Eating Championship returns to Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier on World Pistachio Day, February 26th, 2024. This year's event promises to be even more thrilling, with legendary Joey Chestnut set to return and face reigning champion Nick Wehry for a spectacular display of speed, skill, and pistachio-cracking prowess.

Last year's inaugural event set the bar high, but the 2024 championship is poised to surpass it with an incredible lineup of the world's best competitive eaters. These athletes will go head-to-head in a nail-biting, eight-minute battle to see who can consume the most Wonderful Pistachios, testing not just their eating speed but also their dexterity in cracking open these delicious nuts.

The Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' Eating Championship is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of America’s #1 Nut®. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, the event offers a perfect blend of competitive spirit and family-friendly entertainment. Spectators can expect a day filled with excitement, energy, and, of course, plenty of pistachios.

Attendees will have the opportunity to witness history in the making as they cheer on their favorite eaters in this one-of-a-kind event. Whether you're a die-hard fan of competitive eating or simply looking for an enjoyable way to spend your day, the Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin' Eating Championship is an event you won't want to miss.

Join us at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier for a day of high-energy competition, family fun, and a celebration of all things pistachio. It's sure to be a shell-crackin’ good time!

$10,000 TOTAL PRIZE PURSE! 1st $5,000 2nd $2,500 3rd $1,250 4th $600 5th $300 6th $200 7th $100 8th $50

The contest will take place at 11AM PST on Monday, February 26th, 2024, at the Pacific Park, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401!



For more info, Click Here.

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In a concerted effort to enhance safety and cleanliness along Santa Monica Beach, the Santa Monica Police Department initiated "Operation Sunrise" on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The operation, which took place on the Ocean Front Walk, was spearheaded by the department's Downtown unit and involved a dedicated team of 8 officers and 2 supervisors. Running from 7 am to 12 pm, the initiative was a targeted approach aimed at engaging proactively with individuals found camping, creating disturbances, or in need of social services.

The operation led to the arrest of one individual on suspicion of narcotics possession and the issuance of a citation for smoking on the beach. Additionally, several advisals were issued to individuals found camping on the premises. "Operation Sunrise" was not only about enforcement but also focused on educating the public about local camping laws and connecting those in need with appropriate services.

Sergeant Sendejas, in charge of the Pier Task Force and Directed Action Response Team (DART), emphasized the importance of high visibility enforcement and addressing quality of life issues that have been a concern for the community and local businesses, especially those in the hotel industry. The presence of officers on patrol was aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the community, addressing municipal and county violations.

Vice Mayor Lana Negrete praised the operation's impact, noting the proactive engagement with the community and the positive response from residents, tourists, and the business community. The visible presence of law enforcement was reported to curtail unwanted activities and was met with widespread approval from passersby and businesses alike, who have long sought a safer, more accessible, and attractive beach path.

"Operation Sunrise" represents a direct response to the concerns raised by community members and businesses along Ocean Front Walk. The initiative's success in creating a cleaner, safer environment underscores the Santa Monica Police Department's commitment to addressing community needs and enhancing the quality of life for both residents and visitors."



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.

February 21, 2024

An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been extended for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect until 6:00 am, Saturday, February 24, 2024. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In an incident at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, February 18, 2024, Santa Monica Police Officers were dispatched following reports of a man brandishing a knife. Upon arrival at the scene, officers swiftly located the individual, a shirtless man, and proceeded to detain him with handcuffs to ensure public safety while they conducted their investigation.

Notably, the investigation revealed that the knife in the man's possession was, in fact, a plastic imitation. Further checks on the individual uncovered an outstanding warrant from another state; however, the warrant did not include provisions for extradition.

After establishing the facts and deeming there was no immediate threat to the public, the officers escorted the man off the pier. They removed his handcuffs and allowed him to leave the area. This response by the Santa Monica Police highlights the officers' commitment to maintaining safety while also showing discernment in resolving a situation that could have escalated without their measured approach. "

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 Friday, the SMPD Motor Unit conducted an OTS grant-funded operation to impact driving violations on PCH in the city.

65 stops were conducted
64 citations were issued
13 citations were for speeding
51 citations were for other moving violations
2 vehicles were impounded

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Place was alive with the vibrancy of the Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 17, 2024, marking the advent of the Year of the Dragon. This free, family-friendly event, held from 2-5 PM, was bathed under the glow of traditional red and gold lanterns, offering attendees a rich tapestry of cultural performances and art.

The celebration was hosted by comedian Paul Kim, featuring an array of activities and performances designed to immerse guests in the spirit of the occasion. Highlights included Lion Dances by Bruce Wen and The Shaolin Entertainment Group, showcasing the dynamism and skill synonymous wit"

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.