From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Police Officers, Code Enforcement Officers and sanitation workers from the Safety Task Force clean-up homeless encampments under the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday, August 11, 2022."

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:

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Come skate with Benefit Cosmetics at the Gimme Pink Roller Rink!

Turn Up the Volume!—there’s a free roller disco party at the Santa Monica Pier! For 3 days only, Benefit Cosmetics is rolling big at the Gimme Pink Roller Rink. Join us for a day out at our pop-up party celebrating the launch of our newest brow product, Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Pencil. Enjoy skate rentals on us (if you have your own pair, bring them!), have your brows perfected at the brow bar, and more! Just register for one of the dates and sessions below to RSVP.

Location: Santa Monica Pier, behind the West Roller Coaster

FRI AUG. 12 (six sessions)
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:30pm - 2:30pm
3:00pm - 4:00pm
4:30pm - 5:30pm
6:00pm - 7:00pm
7:30pm - 8:30pm
SAT AUG. 13 (six sessions)
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:30pm - 2:30pm
3:00pm - 4:00pm
4:30pm - 5:30pm
6:00pm - 7:00pm
7:30pm - 8:30pm
SUN AUG. 14 (five sessions)
11:00am - 12:00pm
12:30pm - 1:30pm
2:00pm - 3:00pm
3:30pm - 4:30pm
5:00pm - 6:00pm

To RSVP, CLICK HERE

PBS did a special on the local organization Color the Water:

"The stereotype of the Californian surfer does not match up with the diverse history of surfing. Color the Water is a Los Angeles organization dedicated to increasing access to surfing and reclaiming a space in the water for communities of color."

The Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) is seeking the public’s help in identifying additional victims who may have been sexually assaulted in the City of Santa Monica.



SMPD Statement: "On June 28, 2022, SMPD Officers responded the area of 4th and Colorado to investigate a sexual assault in which the suspect grabbed a female’s buttocks then fled. The suspect was later identified as Anthony Barrett a 29-year-old male originally from Ohio. On August 5, 2022, SMPD Officers arrested Barrett in the downtown area. Subsequently, on August 9, 2022, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges on Barrett for Sexual Battery and failure to register as a Sex Offender.

Investigators believe Barret has been in Southern California since at least June of 2022. He is known to travel between downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Anyone who may have been involved in or witnessed an incident involving Barrett, is asked to contact Detective Brian Spencer at (310) 458-8420 or Sergeant Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931.

Persons with crime information may also contact Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS, texting from a mobile phone, or by visiting their website at www.lacrimestoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous and may be qualified to receive a $1,000.00 reward from Crime Stoppers.

In accordance with California Pen. Code § 13665 , SMPD does not publish photos of non-violent suspects. The suspect in this case is accused of Sexual Assault, which is classified as a violent crime."

But what SMPD apparently did not reveal is that this sex offender came from Ohio not long ago, and is homeless.

Statement from a Nurse in Santa Monica: "On my walk to work last month as an RN in this community I observed this man take a swing with his closed fist at another RN, also on her way to work. He then swung at man walking toward him on the sidewalk. These encounters were completely unprovoked and very aggressive. I call SMPD with this info right away as did the man he tried to hit. I was left to wonder if SMPD even responded. Clearly this guy is violent and aggressive and should not be free to wander our community."

The Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness is giving residents of Topanga a free NOAA weather radio. See the flyer above.

From Venice Beach

A dead body was discovered on the grass area behind Perry's at Ocean Park in Santa Monica. Witness stated the person appeared to be homeless, body was lying on the grass with a suitcase and other items thrown around. Police have stated the person was female and wrapped in a blanket.

The video below is from our Instagram Stories, it was shot at approximately 12:37PM:

No other info is avaliable yet.

Come make history with us at the First Annual: Venice Classic, the first dedicated car show to ever be held at the world famous Venice Boardwalk

Come join The DogTown Devils Car Club on August 27th for an event unlike any other in the Venice Boardwalks 100 year history as we celebrate Surf, Sounds and Southern California's Car Culture.

All Classics, Kustoms, Lowriders, Street Rods, Rat Rods, Pre-80's Trucks and Pre-80's Muscle Cars, WELCOME!

This family event will feature Vendors, Food Vendors, a Beer Garden, DJ, Giveaways and an Awards Ceremony presented by The DogTown Devils Car Club and the City of Venice.

The The DogTown Devils Car Club,

For more info and to register you vehicle, Click Here.

Here's an update to The Angriest Man In Surfing drama.

Malibu's Andy Lyon, who has been dubbed The Angriest Man In Surfing due to the viral video of his incident with another surfer, has embraced the positive side of all this.

“You know, it’s a good ride right now,” he told the website Beach Grit. “Fucking dealing with all these little punks, keyboard warriors. It’s pretty amazing how stuff goes like this…I’ve become sorta famous I guess.”

Andy went on the Dirty Water Podcast and tells his side of the incident, and more. Listen to the podcast below:



As others have said, the "kid" in the video is in his mid-20s. Andy confirms it in the podcast. He also says the same thing that others that were there that day said, the "kid" was not so innocent in the whole ordeal.