The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a traffic safety operation on Friday, August 29, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

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.

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.

SMPD offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

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

Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
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, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross. 

Police officers escort parking enforcement officers as they go after all the delivery trucks parked "illegally" while making deliveries to Venice Beach businesses.

An Tuesday afternoon, according to witnesses, a car sped down Ocean Ave and through the intersection at Bicknell hitting a pedestrian who was standing with her daughter next to her parked SUV. The woman was badl injuried and was tken to the hospital, along with her daughter. The driver, who was heard saying her car malfunctioned, was also taken to the hospital, Ocean Ave was closed for 2 blocks as forsenics investigated the crash. No information avaliable on the condition of all invovled.

Escape to the 1st Annual Santa Monica Pier Fundraiser September 6

The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) invites the community to celebrate an evening of connection, cocktails, and purpose at its inaugural fundraising event, “A PIERfect Benefit,”. A PIERfect Benefit will take place on Friday, September 6 from 3:30 to 7:30 PM inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building.

Guests will enjoy signature cocktails, curated appetizers, live entertainment, and engaging programming that reflects the Pier’s vibrant past, present, and future. All proceeds will benefit SMPC’s mission to keep the Pier magical, meaningful, and accessible for all. Funds raised will support future free events and maybe even the return of beloved concerts on the Pier deck.

Additionally, 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to Pali Strong Foundation, a community-led effort providing direct relief to those affected by the recent Palisades Fires.

Tickets are now available Click Here .

“This event kicks off a new tradition for one of the most iconic places in California,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation. “We’re not the City—we’re a nonprofit with heart, and we rely on the generosity of the community to continue curating the Pier experience for locals, visitors, and admirers alike.”

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

A Venice Boardwalk tattoo artist got stabbed by a known crazy homeless girl. She locks herself in the public restrooms when the police arrive. Officers manage to get her out and place her under arrest.

"After much consideration, the Abbot Kinney Festival Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s festival. This decision was influenced by several factors, including the recent slowdown in sponsorships affecting many festivals and events this year." the event organizer announced.

"As a non-profit event organized by dedicated Venice community volunteers and stakeholders, our mission has always been to celebrate the unique spirit of our neighborhood. We look forward to using this next year to restructure, retool, and return with an even bigger and more vibrant festival."

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

On August 30th, 7th House Screenings proudly present EndThis Summer, a three program afternoon-evening festival of surf filmmaking that captures the natural art in all its cinematic splendor through sandy psychedelic surf oddities and cult classics, a program of radical contemporary short films, and a sea-soaked outsider epic.

Location: Philosophical Research Society
3910 Los Feliz Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90027

Discounted tickets are now available Click Here .

This discounted pass will grant access to all three of the festival's programs:

2:00pm – PSYCH SURF feat. MORNING OF THE EARTH (1972) co-presented by EXP TV
A deep dive into the psychedelic surf film genre that sprayed forth from the countercultural wave, ft. Albert Falzon's earthy cult classic!

5:00pm - SHREDDING: A NEW LENS IN SURF FILMMAKING
SHREDDING is a short surf film program that invites both lifelong diehards and the uninitiated alike to re-examine how surfing is culturally framed. Within the context of the sport, the term “shredding” has had difficulty escaping its mocking association with a certain archetypal image of the surfer, caricatures like Jeff Spicoli, Bodhi, Zack Morris, etc. Rather than merely decrying this apparent lack of representation, SHREDDING affirmatively undermines those cumbersome and outdated stereotypes by sharing the experiences of those whose very presence on a board redefines the discourse. Through contemporary lenses from as far afield as Morocco to up and down the California coast, we get to see how people are expanding the surf space today. Myriad perspectives, uniquely shaped by similar challenges: feeling seen, gaining access, and eventually, changing that archetypal image of what a surfer looks like.

8:00pm - SURFER: TEEN CONFFRONTS FEAR presented by Hollywood Entertainment
An existential spiritual epic, an intimate family portrait, a conspiracy thriller, and so much more—there has never been a movie or a mystical experience like SURFER: TEEN CONFRONTS FEAR. Equally at home in the slow cinema tradition of Béla Tarr and the classic surf rhythms of Big Wednesday, we invite you to dip into the profound waves of this journey.

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

Join us at Crescent Bay Park in Santa Monica Beach for the Beach Cleanup Sport -SPOGOMI USA Round, a sport where teams (3people/per team) compete for points based on the amount and types of garbage collected within a time limit in a designated area.

The prize for the winning team is a roundtrip airfare to Japan with hotel accommodations, where the World Cup will be held at Tokyo on October 29th.

It's a great way to give back to the community and stay active at the same time. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference. See you there!

For more info, Click Here .

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

The Westside Classics Car Show is rolling into Venice Beach for 2025! Bringing the shine and style of Southern California’s most beloved classics to the oceanfront, this event promises a day filled with timeless automotive beauty and community spirit.

Set right along the iconic Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach, Los Angeles County, the show is perfectly placed in one of SoCal’s most recognizable and vibrant beachside spots. Attendees can expect to see an impressive variety of vehicles, from pristine vintage sedans and low-slung cruisers to unique custom builds that reflect the region’s deep car culture. With palm trees framing the view and the Pacific Ocean just steps away, the setting alone makes it a standout on the Southern California car show calendar.

Hosted by the Westside Classics Car Club, a group known for preserving and celebrating classic cars while bringing enthusiasts together, the event is all about showcasing automotive craftsmanship. While there won’t be hoppers or roll-ins after the morning staging time, the curated lineup ensures each vehicle earns its place in the spotlight. Vendors will also be on-site, offering gear, memorabilia, and other automotive-related finds for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

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

We are Super Stoked to announce our first NLAB surf comp of the 25/26 season, our Annual Leo Carillo Surf Series.

October 11 & 12.

Sign up at Live Heats, Click Here

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

Below is a summary of the parking changes that have been approved by Council. The new rates will not be implemented immediately, as some rates are pending approval by the California Coastal Commission.

Parking in City-Owned Structures:

The free parking period in Downtown Structures 1 through 8 will change from 90 minutes to 30 minutes.
Many remaining parking rates at Structures 1 through 8 will be reduced by up to 42%.
Monthly parking passes at Structures 1 through 8 will be reduced by 20%.
Validations will continue to be available for purchase for downtown businesses and employee validations for $6 for 6 hours and $9 for 12 hours will continue to be available for downtown employees.

Parking Meters:

Hourly rates at parking meters in the Beach and Downtown areas will increase from $2.50 to $3.00
Hourly rates at all other parking meters will increase from $1.25 to $1.50.
ADA placard parking at meters will remain free.

Surface and Beach Lot Parking:

Hourly rates in the Main Street parking lots will rise from $1.25 to $1.50 in the winter. In the summer, the hourly rates will be $2 Monday-Thursday and $2.50 Friday-Sunday.
Hourly rates in Mid-City parking lots will increase from $1.00 to $1.25.
Surface lot parking for ADA placard holders will be 50% of the posted rate.
Hourly rates for short term Beach lots will rise from $1.00 to $2.00 in the winter, and to $3.00 in the summer.
Depending on location, flat-rate Beach parking will increase by up to 33%, and Beach parking permit rates will rise 14- 20%.

Detectives Seeking Additional Sexual Assault Victims of this person.

NOTE: For some reason, LAPD only released a small thumbnail size photo of the guy. They did not release a high, or even toaster quality version of the booking photo.

Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section, are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying additional victims and witnesses in connection with a series of sexual assault investigations occurring in the Venice and Santa Monica areas.

In January 2025, a 24-year-old male reported that 42-year-old Jean Dar drugged and sexually assaulted him. Detectives identified two additional male victims, both in their mid-twenties, who reported similar incidents. In each case, the victims stated they met the suspect at a bar, where he engaged them in conversation before inviting them to an after party. The suspect then drove the victims to his residence near Marina Del Rey, where they were given a drink. After consuming the drink, the victims reported becoming incapacitated and that the suspect committed sexual acts without their consent.

On May 21, 2025, detectives arrested Jean Junior Dar for violation of 289(e) PC – Penetration by a Foreign Object Upon an Intoxicated Person and 287(j) PC – Oral Copulation Upon an Intoxicated Person (Booking No. 7019898). The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which filed multiple felony counts of sexual assault. Dar posted bond and is currently out of custody.

Detectives have identified three victims in this investigation and believe there may be additional individuals who have not yet come forward. A photograph of Dar is being released to assist with identification and to encourage anyone with information to contact investigators.

Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses is urged to contact the LAPD Operations West Bureau, Special Assault Section, at (213) 473-0447. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through www.lapdonline.org by clicking “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved–Crime Stoppers” menu, or via the “P3 Tips” mobile application, selecting LA Regional Crime Stoppers as the local program.

A classic car show fundraiser in support of the Venice Heritage Museum.

Featuring cars from the Venetians Car Club and the Venice Drop Tops

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is currently investigating reports of an unexplained illness affecting multiple dogs in the Venice Canals area. As of August 8, there have been 26 suspected canine cases reported, including five canine deaths. Commonly reported symptoms in affected dogs include sudden and severe lethargy and weakness, lack of coordination, vomiting, tremors or seizures. The most recent case had symptoms that began on July 30, 2025. The source of the illnesses is still under investigation.

Experts, including Veterinary Public Health, Environmental Health, and Acute Communicable Disease, have been engaged to investigate all possible sources of these illnesses, including exposure to any pesticides, harmful organisms, or environmental hazards. City, State and County agencies are also involved and supporting the investigation and response.

Preliminary Environmental Findings

As part of the investigation, the Water Quality Control Board tested the canal water, algae and scum. Results found the presence of toxins produced by algae. While a definitive link to the dog illnesses has yet to be confirmed, out of an abundance of caution, the City of Los Angeles is taking proactive measures to protect the public and animal health.

Partner agencies will inform when tests show that water is safe to drink and you no longer need to boil your water. They are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Canal Advisory and Safety Guidance

The City posted signage around affected canal areas warning residents and visitors of the potential risk of toxins from algae. Until further notice, people and pets are strongly advised to:

- Avoid swimming in the canals
- Stay away from scum, foam, and cloudy or discolored water
- Do not use canal water for drinking or cooking
- Do not allow pets to enter or drink the water, or to eat, touch or sniff algae, scum, or any debris near the water
- Avoid eating shellfish from these waters
- If you catch fish in this water, throw away fish guts (which can contain toxins), and clean and thoroughly rinse fillets with clean, fresh water. Wash your hands, tools, and any surfaces afterward. When in doubt, do not eat the fish.



Health Effects from Exposure to the Algae-related Toxins

The health effects of the toxins from the algae vary by route of exposure. For humans, the toxins can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, diarrhea, and vomiting. For animals, the toxins can cause diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions and death. Advice for Pet Owners and Veterinarians

Pet owners who think their pets may be sick should seek immediate veterinary care. Veterinarians who have relevant information should report suspected cases to the Veterinary Public Health Program at (213) 288-7060

The wild Chaotic First Encounter with Daisy the Venice Healer, the Police, and a Crazy Woman.

Flashing back to the first time Daisy the Venice Healer came up to assist during the arrest of a homeless woman by the Los Angeles Police at Venice Beach. This happened in the Venice Beach Rose Ave Parking Lot about 3 years ago.

Click Here for more Stories about Daisy the Venice Healer

The monthly Westside Volkswagen Club meet just north of the Santa Monica Pier along Pacific Coast Highway

The Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for a 30-year-old woman near Venice Beach, California, after personal belongings were found unattended south of the Venice Beach Pier, Wednesday evening.

The missing person has been identified as 30-year-old Ashanta Ayana Elise Cobb-McNeil from Las Vegas, Nevada. Her loved ones said she sometimes goes by "Loni Legend."

At approximately 8:40 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders received a report from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and a good Samaritan who discovered a phone, shoes, wallet, and passport unattended on the sand.

The Coast Guard launched rescue crews from Station Los Angeles-Long Beach, Air Station Ventura, and diverted the cutter Narwhal to search the surrounding waters. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Monica lifeguards from Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division conducted shoreline and waterside searches. LAPD is coordinating landside efforts.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ms. Cobb-McNeil is urged to contact the local authorities.

Malibu's Fraser Bohm, the 22 year old driver accused of mowing down and killing four sorority sisters in the horrific 2023 Pacific Coast Highway car crash pleaded not guilty as he appeared in court with his new high-profile celebrity defense attorney, Alan Jackson.

Bohm was driving his BMW at speeds up to 104 mph in a 45 mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with several parked cars and killing Niamh Rolston, Asha Weir, Deslyn Williams, and Peyton Stewart, all seniors and members of Alpha Phi sorority.




The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said the crash happened Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. when the suspect reportedly lost control of his westbound dark gray four-door BMW and slammed into three parked cars before ricocheting and fatally striking the victims, who officials said were standing on the side of the road. Four women died at the scene. Two other people were taken to hospitals in unknown condition.

Deputy District Attorney Nathan Bartos informed the court that the 'black box' in the BMW showed that the vehicle accelerated from 93mph to 104mph just two and a half seconds before the crash.

Bohm claims he was being 'chased in a road-rage incident'

Sheriff's investigators said they found 'no evidence of an alleged road-rage incident.

According to witnesses via Daily Mail, he had attempted to flee the scene and had to be 'tackled down' and stopped by students from the nearby Pepperdine Sigma Chi fraternity.



Bohm previously attended Oaks Christian School, a $31,250-a-year college prep school near Los Angeles, where he played varsity baseball. He is the youngest of three siblings.

Daily Mail previously revealed that Bohm had received the luxury vehicle in his parents' divorce settlement on his 18th birthday. The red 2016 BMW was purchased by Bohm's mother Brooke using a down payment of $25,000 in 2017. He was living in an $8.7 million Malibu estate with his mother at the time of the crash.