Two years ago, LAPD's Pacific Division Lieutenant Ensley was making anti-drunk driving tweets, this week he was arrested for causing an accident with injuries while he was driving drunk.

"An off-duty Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant who has posted anti-drunk-driving messages online was charged with felony DUI on Wednesday in connection with a crash on the 605 Freeway in Santa Fe Springs that injured at least one person over the weekend.

Matthew Ensley was arrested at the scene late Sunday by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. His blood alcohol level was .20, more than twice the legal limit, according to a report by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office."

Lieutenant Ensley had transfered out of Pacific Division and most recent assignment was to the Transit Division. The Pacific Division serves the communities of Del Rey, Manchester Square, Mar Vista, Oakwood, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice and Westchester.

One of his anit-drunk driving social media post:



Once he was released from custody, he deleted his Twitter account. But here are more of his old posts that people have screencapped and saved:

This video from the early 2000's, shows LAPD's Gang Unit also known as Crash (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) hunting down gang members on the Venice Boardwealk on the 4th of July.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Wednesday, a tiny home located on the 700 block of Marr Street in Venice, belonging to an individual experiencing homelessness, was demolished. The resident of the tiny home was absent during the operation.

This action is part of a coordinated initiative by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., underlining the city's dedicated efforts to address homelessness while maintaining high standards of public cleanliness and health. "

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

PET-CHEWLLA is back, and BIGGER than ever! Join us for our second annual Adoption Fair and Pet Festival.

Join us for our second annual Adoption Fair and Pet Festival. Saturday, April 6th, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at our Venice Clinic at 210 Main Street, Venice, CA 90291.

You’ll have a chance to meet adoptable dogs and cats needing great homes from eight different Los Angeles-based rescues!A day filled with furry friends, fantastic food, lively tunes, and refreshing drinks!

Donate to the silent auction, shop local vendors, and get your face painted or a flower crown for your dog!

This event is family-friendly, and leashed pets are encouraged to come!

You must be present day of event to be eligible to win the raffle for the Lakers game tickets.

For more info, Click Here.

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

In this episode of We Are Venice, we meet Myriah Rose. She is a skater, filmaker, and one of the co-founders of Grlswirl .

We Are Venice showcases the people and culture of Venice Beach, California and will inspire you to be the best version of yourself. This is a series of premium documentary profile pieces on Venice’s most important and influential individuals.

Here's surfing photos from Easter Sunday at the Venice Breakwater. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.                                                                

Here's surfing photos from Easter Sunday at the Venice Breakwater.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.

These are just a few of the 200 photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.

















You can find 170+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Venice Breakwater - Sunday 3-31-2024 - Gallery #1

Venice Breakwater - Sunday 3-31-2024 - Gallery #2


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

v.t__records presents The Carnival of Chaos April 6th 11am-6pm Live at Muscle Beach Amplitheater. Bands will include:

No Reaction

Neighborhood Watch

2Dust

X-COMM

The Psychedelic Flys

𝖂ho 𝕮ares

For more info, Click Here

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Venice Beach Boardwalk cleanup encountered a hurdle as Venice Healer Daisy stood firm at her tiny home location. Despite requests from Los Angeles Park Rangers to move her belongings for the cleanup operation, Daisy chose not to comply. The Rangers, opting against using force, allowed Daisy and a few other individuals to remain, redirecting their cleanup efforts to other areas of the beach and boardwalk.

The cleanup, a routine operation carried out every Friday, is a collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Recreation and Parks, along with Action Cleanup Environmental Services. While Action Cleanup handles the sorting of hazardous materials like batteries and syringes, Public Works deals with non-hazardous waste, part of the city's broader homelessness strategy focusing on public health and safety.

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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.

This was posted earlier today:

"Hi i was physically assaulted outside of the Sidewalk Cafe last Sunday, March 24th around 6:30pm. I was punched in the face randomly by a man and i have been told that while i was knocked out a lady named Sky who is local to Venice swooped up my Chihuahua and i havent seen him since. If you have ANY information about where he might be please contact Olivia at 971 777 6149 , thank you!"

March 27, 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 AREA WARNINGS:

· 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 from the pier.

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

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

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Pier in Malibu

The entire swim area.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

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.

LAPD responds to reports of a man walking around the beach carrying two dead ducks. Witnesses at the Venice Pier stated the man was trying to sell them the dead ducks. The man, who only speaks Spanish, said the ducks were hit by a car. The two police offers were baffled, they do not know what to do in this situation, as a passerby tells them that this does not follow under their jurisdiction.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A local pedicab driver took on the role of an unsung hero on Monday, March 25, 2024, as he diligently worked to clear a path along Ocean Front Walk in Venice. The area had become obstructed with sand, following the gale-force winds that swept through the previous day. The accumulation had rendered the walk challenging for cyclists, with many finding themselves stuck. Recognizing the need for action, the pedicab driver proactively shoveled away the sand, ensuring a safer and more navigable route for all."



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.

High surf and hazardous ocean conditions through Monday. Widespread gale force winds with large steep seas across inner and outer waters.

Also expect scattered showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms through Sunday, with potential for brief heavy downpours, gusty winds, and small hail. In addition, there will be gusty W-NW winds 30-50 mph, strongest across coasts, mountains, and deserts.



A cold low pressure system will bring scattered showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms through Sunday. Any thunderstorms that develop will have the potential to produce brief heavy downpours, gusty winds, and small hail. There will be gusty west to northwest winds across the region through Sunday, strongest in the mountains, coasts, and deserts with gusts in the 30 to 50 mph range.

"Do not carry the experience of life as a wound , let it become wisdom. The harder life has been on you, the sooner you should become wise.

Joseph Duerr's story brings this topic , you can learn with the obstacles in your journey , you can find the unique talent that you have and no one else can do it better than you , it’s your unique talent , with your best intentions you can find your true self and manifest whatever you want to be."

We Are Venice showcases the people and culture of Venice Beach, California and will inspire you to be the best version of yourself. This is a series of premium documentary profile pieces on Venice’s most important and influential individuals.

"They tried to gentrify Venice!" - Potlord on why Snapchat is forbidden in Venice

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Venice Healer Daisy began building her sixth tiny home on Venice Beach. This new unit will serve multiple purposes, including personal reflection, yoga, and hosting healing circles."

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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.

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

"This month marks my fifth year anniversary on being on YouTube. I talk about my experience on YouTube, the good part and the bad part. I encourage everybody to become a YouTuber, with one video it can change your life. It happened to me. I’m grateful that I can make a living on YouTube , but like everything else it has pro and cons. I hope you can learn something from this video."

"Over the weekend, Los Angeles County Lifeguards and the Sherrifs' Department responded to a vehicle that had driven into the ocean just south of the Venice Pier following a high-speed pursuit that originated in Temple City.

Once the car began to submerge, the driver escaped the vehicle and swam towards the end of the pier, where they were ultimately detained by the Sherrifs. Lifegurads searched the vehicle for additional occupants and found two dogs were left inside the vehicle, lifeguards rescued and returned them to shore.

While the mission of the Department has always been to protect life, property, and the environment, this time life took the form of two Boston Terriers. Thankfully, everyone is safe, and the vehicle has since been removed from the water with minimal environmental impacts

Over the weekend, @lacolifeguard and @LASDHQ responded to a vehicle that had driven into the ocean just south of the Venice Pier following a high-speed pursuit originating in Temple City. Once the car began to submerge, the driver escaped the vehicle and swam towards (1/3) pic.twitter.com/iMELiyNRfr

— LACoLifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) March 18, 2024

A woman who was reported to be driving drunk was chased by police on Saturday night. She drove her BMW SUV, which had two dogs in it, down Washington Blvd, though the Venice Pier parking lot, then across the sand on the south side of the pier, and right into the ocean.

She ditched the vehicle, and her two dogs, and swam out into the water.

She was eventually taken into custody. The dogs were retrieved and placed with animal services.

March 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 AREA WARNINGS:

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

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

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

· Windward storm drain at Venice 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 Near Will Rogers Tower 18

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

*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.