She is protesting for her right to not be forced to move for the weekly beach cleaning. Los Angeles Police officers are just asking for her to move all her items so the cleaning crew can clean up and do some maintenance work on the fencing behind her. She refuses and protests against it.

5 straight days of dumping rain in Southern California creating disgusting sewage spills into the ocean with storm drains overflowing and wild winds. On the contrary the storm also brought us some pretty unique swell direction, which created some fun waves in places (like Santa Monica) that usually doesn't get great waves. For about 30 minutes this stretch of beach turned on for pro surfers Yadin Nicol, Luke Davis, Hunter Jones and Jacob Atwood. Shot/Cut by Chris Papaleo

LAFD responded to a possible fire/smoke on the Venice Boardwalk Saturday afternoon around 3:50 pm.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Friday, January 9, 2024, members of the Venice Safe Team took action on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, escorting an individual towards Santa Monica after weeks of reported disturbances. The intervention followed a series of complaints regarding the man's disruptive actions along the popular beachfront area, including harassment of boardwalk visitors.

The Venice Safe Team, committed to ensuring a peaceful and secure environment, tracked the individual as he traversed the boundary from Venice into Santa Monica. This response is part of the team's broader effort to maintain order and safety on Venice Beach, a destination known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse community.

Operating daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. during the winter months, the Venice Safe Team plays a crucial role in the community. Their responsibilities include conducting routine patrols, engaging with the public, managing risks, and responding to a variety of safety concerns and non-emergency situations. Working in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency services, the team addresses issues such as trespassing, vandalism, public intoxication, aggressive behavior, and compliance with city regulations, all aimed at safeguarding the interests of both visitors and residents of Venice Beach."

Click Here for more Stories about the Venice Safe Team

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.

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Topanga Beach is left trashed after a massive multi day winter storm.

A 4.6 Magnitude earthquake just northwest of Malibu hit Friday at 1:47PM.

Followed by a 2.7 two minutes later, then 3.9 and a 2.6.



Earlier in the day a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Hawaii. The epicenter was southwest of Pahala on Hawaii Island.

The Los Angeles Fire Department stated: "Prepare NOW For Aftershocks. If Inside When Shaking Starts: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON! Protect Your Head + Neck While Taking Cover Under Sturdy Furniture or Near a Sturdy Interior Wall, Away From Windows and Doorways Until Shaking Stops."

"After surveying your home for quake damage and assuring no injuries, please check on your pets and at-risk neighbors, especially seniors living alone."

Members of the Venice Safe Team approach LAPD officers on the Venice Boardwalk to report that they were assaulted by a homeless man. Three team members, including a female member, were assaulted, one of them got hit in the head with a rock. LAPD, as well as members of the public went looking for the suspect. He was spotted in a nearby alley having another confrontation with a resident of an apartment building, after having trashed the alley. He took off after seeing the group approach him and eventually ran right into the LAPD officers who then arrested him.

Click Here for more Stories about the Venice Safe Team

January 19, 2024

An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been extended for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 1:00 am, Sunday, February 11, 2024. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Thursday, February 8, 2024 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.