From Santa Monica Close Up:

" A tense five-hour standoff between police and a potentially armed woman at a motel on Lincoln Blvd ended peacefully earlier today. The incident took place on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am, prompting a swift response from the Santa Monica Police Department.

In response to the escalating situation, authorities quickly arrived at the American Motel on Lincoln Blvd after receiving reports of a person with a gun . As a precautionary measure, residents in the 1200 block of Lincoln were promptly advised to evacuate, while guests at the motel were instructed to leave their rooms. The surrounding streets were sealed off to ensure public safety.

During the operation, police officers effectively communicated through a loudspeaker to issue commands to the suspect, who had barricaded herself inside the motel. The standoff occurred when the suspect allegedly brandished a handgun after being approached by the hotel manager regarding checkout time.

To secure the area, multiple blocks, including Lincoln Blvd between Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd, as well as Arizona Ave between 7th and 9th Street, were cordoned off. The Santa Monica Police Department deployed their Mobile Center, an overhead drone, and called in their SWAT team to manage the situation.

Police officers made preparations to deploy tear gas into the suspect's room and utilized flash grenades as part of their strategy. While the exact deployment of tear gas remains unclear, officers wore gas masks as a precautionary measure. Stun grenades, also known as flash grenades, flashbangs, thunderflashes, or sound bombs, were employed to temporarily disorient individuals' senses. These non-lethal explosive devices emit a blinding flash of light and produce a loud "bang" to stun adversaries or create distractions, commonly used in close-quarters combat, door breaching, and riot control scenarios.

After hours of negotiations, the female suspect surrendered to the Santa Monica Police Department without any major incident, leading to her subsequent arrest. As the investigation continues, the suspect will undergo a comprehensive mental health evaluation. The presence of a firearm on the woman at the time of her apprehension remains uncertain.

At 5:10 pm, the Santa Monica Police Department provided an update via their Twitter account, stating, "The standoff in the 1200 block of Lincoln Boulevard has been resolved. Thank you for your patience as this individual was taken into custody without significant incident. Please wait for police and fire vehicles to leave before trying to enter the area."

Further information regarding the case will be released as the investigation progresses. "

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.

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Free opening reception for "Shifting Tides," Surfing-Themed Art by local malibu artists, sunday, july 16 in the Malibu City Gallery

In tribute to Malibu’s deep roots in surfing culture, the City of Malibu Arts Commission invites the community to to the free opening reception of "Shifting Tides," the surfing-themed exhibition of original artworks by local Malibu artists on Sunday, July 16, at 12:00 PM. The Commission will celebrate the artists and Malibu’s surf culture with a live musical performance by “A Call 2Peace,” and complementary food and beverages.

Surfing is in Malibu’s DNA, and Malibu has played an important role in the global history and culture of surfing, making it a natural subject to inspire local artists.

The exhibition will be displayed in the Malibu City Gallery in City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., from July 17 through August 25. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission to the gallery is free.

For more info, Click Here

Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority response to the City of Malibu removing MCRA Beach Access Signs via a new video:

Don't you wish you could find all of Malibu's "secret" public beaches? We do too!

But when we do install public signage, the City of Malibu removes it! pic.twitter.com/eFz9QH1ACr

— MRCAParks (@MRCAParks) July 8, 2023

On June 26, 2023, the City of Malibu removed beach access signs that were installed at three locations along Broad Beach Rd, a City-owned street, near Lechuza Beach. These signs require a City permit to be issued to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA).

The City continually supports public access to beaches in Malibu, which is protected under state law for the entire coast of California. Beach access signs are important to visitors, public safety agencies, and nearby homeowners to ensure that beachgoers stay on safe, maintained beach access paths.

A City Encroachment permit is needed to ensure that signs are placed in a safe location using standardized equipment. The signs installed by MRCA did not have signposts designed to break away for safety when struck by a vehicle, which is required under California and federal law. They had solid 6” steel posts. The signs were removed because they were not permitted and did not conform to safety standards.

In August 2022, MRCA installed the signs for Lechuza Beach on Broad Beach Road without City permits. City Code Enforcement and Public Works notified the MRCA that the signs were unpermitted and would be removed unless a permit was requested and received. City staff offered assistance to help MRCA apply for the needed permit, but MRCA did not request a permit. MRCA responded by email on June 21 that they would remove the signs the next day. The signs were not removed. The City notified MRCA and removed the signs on June 26. MRCA picked up the signs from the City on July 7.

California coasts are experiencing a significant increase in sea lions and dolphins suffering from domoic acid (DA) poisoning due to a toxic algal bloom. If you see any marine mammals on the beach the public should keep away at least 50 yards & call Marine Mammal Care Center's Rescue Hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE.

Video from the brush fire that broke out in the hills behind the Malibu Feed Bin at Topanga Beach. Fire was said to be caused by "the homeless people that live there

The beachside pop-up library is back! Join SMPL for Seaside Storytime & nautical crafts, sign out books from the beach reads collections, play games, or relax & read in the Surfside Lounge.

Fri, July 21 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at
Seaside Storytime at 10:15 a.m.

Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Hwy
Santa Monica, CA 90402

For more info and to register, Click Here

OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM SMPD: On July 7, 2023, at about 9:20 PM, multiple officers of the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a call of a large party in the 2700 block of the Santa Monica beach. At about 9:22 PM, as they were approaching, officers heard multiple gun shots and the group scattered, including the shooter.

Officers located two victims, both juveniles from Los Angeles, with gun shot wounds to their lower leg. The victims, 14- and 17-year-old females, were transported by the SMFD to local hospitals for treatment. Neither of the wounds were life-threatening.

The victims did not see who fired the weapon or which direction the person fled. Witnesses described the single shooter as male, Black, 5-10, unknown age or build, with dreadlocks and wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a black hat. The subject did not appear to be experiencing homelessness.

Anyone with any information pertaining to this incident or person(s) involved is encouraged to contact SMPD’s detective unit during business hours at 310-458-8451, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

Shifting Tides is a community art exhibition featuring several visual artists and a tribute to Malibu’s deep roots in surf culture. The exhibition will be on display from July 17 to August 25, 2023, and open Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The exhibition will be displayed in the Malibu City Gallery in City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., from July 17 through August 25. The Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission to the gallery is free.

Location:
Malibu City Hall
23825 STUART RANCH RD
Malibu, CA 90265 For more info, Click Here