It starts today, Xcel's End of Summer Sale

Xcel never goes on sale so this is a big deal!

Up to 40% off select items *
Sale runs until September 5th
No code needed!

Shop Now!

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) swiftly intervened in a dispute between two unhoused individuals at the iconic Venice Beach earlier today. Officers, driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), rushed to the scene to defuse a confrontation that reportedly involved a taser.

Eyewitnesses recounted a heated exchange between the two men, with tensions escalating as they grappled over the possession of a taser. By the time law enforcement arrived, one of the individuals had departed the scene, leaving officers to address the aftermath with the remaining individual.

The LAPD officers on-site were familiar with the individual who stayed behind, a man known for frequently causing disturbances due to being under the influence. The department acknowledged his recurring presence in the area, often drawing attention due to his behavior.

Following the incident, the police conducted a thorough investigation, speaking with witnesses to piece together the events that transpired. After careful consideration and consultation, the officers made the decision to release the remaining individual. Despite the altercation and the tumultuous history, the authorities opted to allow him to continue on his way."

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

Checking the Los Angeles' new pump track over in Inglewood. Even though it was made for bicycles, it's being used more by skateboarders.

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, August 30th, Thursday, August 31st and Friday, September 1, 2023 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 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. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427."

Here's an official update about the Dead Body Found Near Santa Monica Pier from the anta Monica Police Department:.

Suspicious Death / Shots Fired Incident
"On Sunday August 27, 2023, at about 10:48 pm, dispatch received a call that a subject described as a male, black, about 180lbs, wearing a grey hoodie, white shirt, black pants and with a black backpack fired once into the air with a handgun in the 1700 block of Ocean Ave on the west sidewalk. A spent casing was recovered at the location. The suspect was not involved in any disturbance prior to shooting the round and left southbound prior to officers’ arrival.

On August 28 at 0112 hours, SMPD officers responded to a call of additional shots fired near the 1500 block of Palisades Park. The RP reported that she “saw a male shooting and then shot himself in the face.” Officers located a victim down at the bottom of the Broadway stairs near PCH who was not breathing and with a gunshot wound. The victim matched the clothing and physical description of the shooter from the earlier call on Ocean Ave. Preliminary investigation indicates the two incidents are possibly related.

The Victim/Suspect, who lists an address in Los Angeles, is currently experiencing homelessness.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427."

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On August 29, 2023, at Santa Monica Beach, Vernes Plumbing effectively addressed a notable mainline blockage that resulted in the closure of restrooms at the 1700 block. Amid a temporary interruption due to the mainline obstruction, the Vernes Plumbing team skillfully located and resolved the issue, ensuring the smooth functioning of the restrooms. This momentary disruption garnered the interest of both beachgoers and pedestrians who regularly utilize the area."

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

Just like the one Lonnie Toft rode in the 70's, Kevin from Ocean Park 26 made a 8-wheel skateboard and goes skates it. Joined by Sante Bentivoglio of Bay Street Boards, they hit up Stoner Skate Park, a mini-ramp on the Santa Monica Pier, and Ocean Park.

August 28, 2023
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

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:

BEACH AREAS WARNINGS:

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Ashland Avenue Storm Drain at Santa Monica State Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Herondo Street Storm Drain in Hermosa Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· 28th Street Storm Drain at Manhattan County Beach.

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

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:

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach

· Pico-Kenter Storm Drain at Santa Monica State Beach

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

· Topanga County Beach, Topanga Canyon Lagoon

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662.

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.