From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In a proactive enforcement action on Friday, February 16, 2024, Santa Monica Police officers, patrolling on bicycles in Palisades Park, apprehended an individual known to them for having a Stay Away Order. The officers, upon identifying the man during their patrol, promptly detained him by placing him in handcuffs, in adherence to the conditions of the restraining order.

The situation necessitated the presence of additional police support for transportation purposes. Consequently, a squad car was summoned to the scene, arriving shortly thereafter to take the individual into custody. The man was then transported to the city jail for processing.

A Stay Away Order, a judicial mandate, prohibits an individual from coming within a specified proximity of another person or location. These orders are typically issued to protect victims of harassment or abuse, ensuring their safety by legally restricting the movements of the person named in the order."

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.

A Pacific storm will bring heavy rain, gusty S-SE winds, building W-SW swell, high surf, and possible coastal flooding Saturday through Wednesday. Surf will be 15-20 ft on the Central Coast and 10-15 ft further south. Coastal areas should prepare for possible flooding Sunday through Tuesday AM!

Join partners & stakeholders of the Topanga Lagoon Restoration project to learn about the restoration itself and the Draft EIR!

This meeting will take place on Saturday, February 24th, 10 am-12 pm in-person at the Annenberg Community Beach House or online on Youtube

This in-person and live-streamed meeting gives the public a chance to learn about the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project and the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). The meeting will consist of a presentation and Q&A session. The presentation will provide an overview of the project goals and alternatives, identify where the DEIR can be accessed for review and how the public can submit comments . There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.

RSVPs are required for in-person or on-line attendance.

If you attend in-person, parking at this location is on a first come, first served basis and costs $8. The nearest bus lines include the 3 and 9 but they will drop you off in downtown Santa Monica after which you will have to walk roughly 25-30 minutes to get to the Annenberg Beach House.

For more info and to reserve a post, Click Here.

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

Join the Los Angeles County Dragon Boat Club, in collaboration with the Department of Beaches and Harbors, for the Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival at Burton Chace Park! This free event will feature 40 local and out-of-state dragon boat teams and clubs competing to be the fastest team on the water. Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, and food truck fare. Paddlers between 12 – 80 years old will compete. Spectators are encouraged to cheer and watch the races from Burton Chace Park.

· Saturday, March 2, 2024
· Event Time: 7 AM – 2 PM
·Event Location: Burton Chace Park – 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

For more info, Click Here.

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

February 14, 2024

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 CLOSURE:

The following site continues to remain closed due to a recent sewage discharge:

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire beach area

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

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

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18

100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast of the pier.

· Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20

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

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Pier in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast of the pier.

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

*Some ocean water quality testing results are not yet available following the rain advisory.

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.

Another Round of Venice Skate Park Ripping! This edit features new and old footage of Asher Bradshaw, Kiko Francisco and Haden McKenna, plus many more.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles, February 13, 2024 – The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating a burglary incident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at two popular Venice eateries, Ggiata Delicatessen and PIZZA LOCAL VENICE, located on Windward Avenue.

According to surveillance footage from the scene captured two individuals forcibly entering both establishments around 2:30 AM by shattering the glass doors. Once inside, the perpetrators proceeded to remove the cash registers from each restaurant.

Following the incident, a member of the Venice Safe Team was promptly on-site, assisting with the cleanup efforts by sweeping up the broken glass, demonstrating community support in the wake of the crime.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the burglary. The Los Angeles Police Department is actively conducting investigations to apprehend the individuals responsible for this crime. The department urges anyone with information related to the incident to come forward to assist in their inquiries.

The burglary has left the local community and business owners concerned, highlighting the need for increased security measures in the area. The Los Angeles Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of its residents and businesses and is working diligently to resolve the case.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story."

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.

Click Here for more Stories about the Venice Safe Team

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"February 13, 2024, Santa Monica Police Department officers were dispatched to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant located on the Santa Monica Pier following a report of an assault. According to initial reports, a patron at the establishment allegedly assaulted an employee, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement.

Upon arrival, several police officers intervened and subsequently took a man into custody in connection with the incident. Details regarding the nature of the assault or the circumstances leading up to the altercation have not been disclosed at this time.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and charges against the individual taken into custody have not been announced. The condition of the employee involved in the altercation has not been released, nor have any statements been made by representatives of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co."

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.

All lanes closed at the 34300 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu due to a 2-vehicle collision. This is at Nicholas Canyon at the western edge of City of Malibu.