Danny Slant interviews Penmar Park Venice neighbor Tina, whose car was recently stolen from her driveway, and then Tina with her friend Mikey, tracked down her stolen car, it was parked two blocks away at the Encampment in Penmar Park - Rose Ave. They waited to see who would come along and two homeless people , a Caucasian male and Caucasian female - both homeless living in a van and tent next to Penmar Park, walked up to the car and then got inside to go drive off again. Tina and her friend held them for the police, but the man got away. LAPD took the female into custody, but she was released less than 6 hours later, and then quickly returned back in the homeless encampment in the park. Tina notices other belongings in the car, and found Identification from another Venice resident less than 1/2 mile away, that other resident had her car broken into , and they used Tina's stolen car as the get away vehicle. That woman has $15,000 worth of professional camera equipment stolen. The homeless suspects sold that camera equipment at the gas station in Venice , some patron getting gas bought it off them for only $200 , please people if there is merchandise being sold for about 5% of what it's actually worth by people in masks at a gas station, you know it's stolen, stop buying it off them. Then a person in Fresno California came across the stolen cameras and got them back to the lady in Venice. BUT we are still trying to find the stolen home movies from Tina , they were in a bag in the back of her car, they are 8 mm millimeter home movies from the 60's and 70's and she was going to have them professionally transferred over to digital format. If anybody in Venice or anywhere else locates these 8mm home movies, please get in touch with Danny Slant, so I can return them to Tina.

Penmar Park Venice California it's been a hot spot of many homeless RV and tent campers who have tried to make a permanent place to camp in their tents , RVs and vehicles. Since the City of LA doesn't have a comprehensive plan for addressing RV dwellers , other than usually ignoring all their infractions and letting them just sit for months at a time. Keep informing your local councilperson that you want a comprehensive plan for the entire city of Los Angeles - No RV parking on city streets and No Camping in Public spaces

Saturday, March 9, Topanga Canyon Blvd - State Route 27 is *closed* in both directions between Pacific Coast Hwy & Grand View Dr. for slide removal. Duration of closure is unknown.



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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A collision at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Windward Avenue drew the response of Los Angeles firefighters and police officers on Friday, following reports of a man, appearing to be homeless and in a wheelchair with a cast on his foot, being hit by a truck. The incident sparked confusion and differing accounts from those involved.

The driver of the truck involved in the incident claimed he did not see the man prior to the collision. However, a witness at the scene suggested that the collision may have been intentional on the part of the individual in the wheelchair, alleging that he purposely maneuvered into the path of the truck.

Following the incident, the truck driver stopped to check on the man's well-being, at which point, according to the driver, the man in the wheelchair requested the purchase of a beer. The truck driver declined the request and instead opted to call emergency services. Responding firefighters arrived at the scene shortly thereafter, but the man in the wheelchair refused any medical services offered and proceeded to leave the area under his own power.

Firefighters then vacated the scene upon the arrival of the police, relaying the details of the encounter. The police initiated an investigation into the incident. The truck driver further mentioned that an individual associated with a nearby business claimed that the man in the wheelchair has been involved in similar incidents previously.

Authorities are currently investigating the matter to ascertain the specifics of the incident and to determine the appropriate course of action. The situation remains under review, and further details will be released as they become available."



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.

In 2018, the Las Virgenes - Conejo region was ravaged by the deadly Woolsey Fire. Fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds and a drought parched landscape, these adverse conditions created the perfect storm for the development of a massive inferno. The Woolsey Fire torched two-thirds of the LVMWD service area igniting in the hills of Chatsworth and marching to the shores of the Pacific. For the five-year anniversary, LVMWD 's Mike McNutt sat down with elected officials, public safety officers from the LA County Sheriff and Fire Departments and LVMWD staff to ponder and reflect upon the physical and emotional impact those precarious days in November 2018 had on the communities of the Las Virgenes - Conejo region. Premiering on March 7, 2024, this is the story of how those communities came together in the face of flames, adversity, and panic, and how those memories will never be forgotten.

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.

Malibu City Council advances Permanent Skate Park 3/5 approving settlement agreement w/neighboring property owner. The City is committed to providing excellent sports/recreation facilities for our youth & recognizes importance of skating in Malibu culture.

The Malibu City Council took decisive action towards the long-awaited Permanent Skate Park for its residents. In a 3-2 vote, the Council approved a settlement agreement with the neighboring property owner, who previously threatened litigation, clearing the way for the much-anticipated project.

The City is committed to providing excellent sports and recreation facilities and programs as part of a thriving, health community, and skating has always been an important part of the Malibu culture.

The City Council scheduled a Special meeting on March 4, 2024, to continue discussion on the matter from the February 26 regular meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to share the proposed settlement offer with the community and get feedback on it before making a decision.

Highlights of the proposed settlement agreement include:

- Allowing the neighboring property owner to install landscaping at its own cost to improve the park and prevent graffiti along the perimeter wall of the Skate Park.
- Shifting a portion of the Skate Park 10 feet further away from The Case project homes and lowering one of the above-ground elements.
- Allowing The Case project to lease a portion of the area adjacent to the Temporary Skate Park lot for parking for $5,627 per month until construction begins on the Permanent Skate Park.
- Assigning responsibility to The Case project for all costs related to the changes made to the Permanent Skate Park and requiring a deposit of $150,000 with the City to cover any additional design and construction costs.

On November 30, 2023, the Planning Commission approved the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the Permanent Skate Park, and the decision was appealed by the owner of the neighboring property, where “The Case” home development project is under construction. After filing this appeal, the owner of the neighboring property approached the City, and the City and the property owner have since been negotiating over a settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit by the property owner.

In 2019, the City Council directed staff to begin the design concept for a permanent skate park and authorized the installation of a temporary skate park in the meantime. The action is a testament to the City’s recognition of the community’s longstanding desire and the pressing need for recreational spaces that cater to the diverse interests of the community. The 12,500 square-foot Permanent Skatepark will be built at Malibu Bluffs Park, providing a valuable sports and recreation resource and safe community gathering place for Malibu's youth.

Malibu Task Force issued 74 citations for speeding 2/26 - 3/3. The City signed a contract to bring CHP patrols back to Malibu as part of our effort to address PCH safety.