This is an update to an incident from January 2023. On the evening of January 18th, 2023, SMPD Officers responded to a ‘Shots Fired’ call in the 1500 block of Palisades Park. Responding officers discovered a victim who was shot in the face and subsequently transported to a local hospital.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered evidence that on that date and time the victim was in an argument with three subjects. One of the subjects, later identified as Angel Diaz, 21, a resident of Los Angeles, produced a handgun and shot the victim once in the face. The incident is believed to be gang-related.

Detectives discovered the suspect discarded evidence at the crime scene, which was later confirmed via DNA as belonging to Diaz. In addition, Diaz was captured on CCTV footage as he fled the area on foot.

During the investigation, SMPD detectives discovered Diaz was arrested on February 10th, 2023, by LAPD for attempted murder with a handgun. Ballistic evidence proved that the handgun used in the SMPD case was also used in the LAPD case.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed attempted murder charges against Diaz for the SMPD and LAPD incidents. On July 9, 2024, Diaz pled guilty to 245(b) PC – Assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Diaz was sentenced to nine years in state prison. This sentence is to run concurrent with his sentence for the LAPD case.

For additional information regarding this investigation, please contact Detective Ismael Tavera at 310-458-2256 or Lieutenant Aklufi at 310-458-8493

This special piece is a really long time in the making, and Bay Street Boards is super stoked to finally reveal the long awaited collaboration between Bay Street Boards and Skater Made!

Bart Saric, the owner of local skateboard brand Skater Made, is an insanely talented artist and great friend and we have been talking about joining forces for a t-shirt design forever! We have been trading sketches for literally years, and we are excited to unveil the finalized piece, both as shirts and prints.

Join us on Friday 8/9 to get some signed prints and tees, hang out and enjoy some dope art and good times!



Bay Street Boards
3216 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica,
CA 90404, United States

For more info, Click Here.

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Hundreds of minibikers descended upon Venice Beach on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The minibikers, hailing from several groups across the Los Angeles area, showcased their skills and passion for the sport. Some participants traveled from as far away as Montebello to join the meetup. Alongside the minibikes, dirt motorcycles were also a prominent feature of the event, adding to the excitement and energy on the streets of Venice.

The event drew significant attention from locals and visitors alike, with many stopping to watch the impressive display of stunts and camaraderie. The atmosphere was charged with the roar of engines and the scent of burning rubber as riders performed daring maneuvers. The gathering highlighted the strong community spirit among minibike enthusiasts, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to share their love for the sport."

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica firefighters responded to a fire on the 800 block of the Palisades Park Bluff on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Northbound lanes of the Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue were temporarily closed as crews battled the blaze, which may have been started by an unhoused individual camping on the bluffs,

Local resident Miles Mallory witnessed the fire and called 911 at 6:27 p.m. In an interview with Santa Monica Closeup, Mallory described the scene: "We were walking downstairs and saw a tiny brush fire. Within minutes, it grew into a large flame, about 15 feet wide and 20 feet tall. My wife and I called 911, and firefighters arrived within two minutes. They attacked the fire from all sides of the cliff with a big truck."

After the fire was extinguished, Santa Monica Fire Captain Johnny Maccini provided details on their response: "We were called out to a brush fire in Palisades Park. We made access with one engine from the top and one from the bottom. Using personnel from the truck company with hand tools, including chainsaws and shovels, we made an aggressive attack from both directions and successfully put it out."

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.."

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Friday, July 26, 2024, Santa Monica firefighters and Harbor Patrol officers swiftly responded to a fire call beneath the Santa Monica Pier. Upon arrival, the fire engine found that a smaller fire truck from the beach station had already managed to extinguish the blaze by covering it with sand. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was started by homeless individuals loitering underneath the pier."

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Hundreds of people gathered at Santa Monica Beach on Thursday, July 25, 2024, to celebrate the release of Mexican music superstar Fuerza Regida's new album, "Pero No Te Enamores." Fuerza Regida announced on social media that he would be hosting a release party at Santa Monica Beach, drawing hundreds of fans eager to see him perform live from a balcony on Ocean Front Walk. The impromptu performance delighted the crowd, who gathered on the beach to enjoy the music.

The Santa Monica Police Department, alerted to the spontaneous gathering, dispatched several officers to manage traffic around the Santa Monica Pier and beach, as the event caused significant gridlock in the area.

The album "Pero No Te Enamores," released today, represents a new direction for Fuerza Regida while retaining the essence of their signature sound, complete with distinctive lingo, guitars, and summer party vibes."

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.

The area by Ballona Creek is now open, but other beaches still have Warnings:

July 24, 2024


BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

· Dockweiler State Beach, one mile south from Ballona Creek

· Venice Beach, one mile north from Ballona Creek

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Solstice Creek at Dan Blocker County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

· Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach

The entire swim area.

· Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove

100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

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

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach. Near Dockweiler Tower 40

100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

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

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.

Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"Crime has increased the past three years in Santa Monica. There are lots of homeless people hanging out in the local parks and beaches. I walked around on third street promenade, and I had to find out that lots of stores are out of business. Even in the streets around third Street the city is definitely dying. How can Santa Monica be saved?"

This month’s Last Thursday concert series will have The Brobots outside on the main stage at Dudley Avenue and Ocean Front Walk from 6:30 to sunset.

For more info, Click Here.

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