Checking out the solar eclipse at Venice Beach with Oscar from Hecho En Venice.

The Los Angeles Police Department Operations-West Bureau Special Assault Section is investigating two incidents that occurred in the Venice Canal community on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Investigators believe that the same suspect assaulted two separate victims.

At approximately 2230 hours, a woman was walking in the 2700 block of Strong Drive when the suspect approached her from behind and struck her with a hard object, rendering her unconscious. Approximately hour later, the same suspect similarly attacked another woman walking nearby on Sherman Canal. Both victims sustained significant injuries.

The suspect fled the scene, leaving evidence behind. Residents in the area located the second victim and immediately contacted police. Pacific Patrol Division units responded to the scene and began the investigation. The suspect is described as a male Black or male Hispanic with medium to dark skin. He is between 5'10" and 6' tall and weighs 180-200 pounds with short hair that appears to be trimmed around the ears.

The Los Angeles Police Department is alerting the Venice community to these crimes to emphasize the importance of personal safety. Residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and notify the police of any suspicious activity or persons loitering in this area. As detectives work to identify and arrest this suspect, the LAPD will be increasing patrols in the Venice community. Residents will see additional black and white police vehicles and uniformed officers in the neighborhood. This deployment is being implemented as a precautionary measure.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tracy Park stated, "I am horrified and furious to learn of these violent and abhorrent assaults on two women in Venice over the weekend. As your councilwoman, and as a resident of this community, I am calling on LAPD to devote every resource necessary to investigate these crimes. I have been working directly with Chief Choi and Captain Applegate and remain focused on ensuring that this criminal is apprehended, charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This behavior will not be tolerated, and violent criminals will be held accountable."

Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of the suspect, additional victims or witnesses should contact Special Assault Detectives at 213-473-0447. During off hours or on weekends, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on the, "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P-3 Tips" mobile app and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.




It has been reported via some news outlets that he is a homeless man and his last address is listed as Las Vegas, NV.

For all our coverage of this horrible event, Click Here.

On April 8, 2024, at approximately 11:00am, Santa Monica Police Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Beach for an individual threatening a lifeguard with a metallic rod. The suspect, later identified as Michael Vincent Parrett, a 38-year-old homeless male, jumped from the roof of Lifeguard Tower 12 and approached the victim with the rod, thrusting it towards him several times. The victim was able to dodge out of the way and was not injured.

Parrett was located by officers in the 400 block of Palisades Beach Road. He ignored the officers’ commands and began running on the sidewalk, approaching multiple bystanders, while still holding the rod. When the officers intervened, the subject ran into the bluffs overlooking PCH. Due to the risk of the suspect falling onto PCH and into traffic, CHP assisted in closing northbound and southbound traffic.

The suspect made multiple statements threating that he would not give up without a fight resulting in the Crisis Negotiations Team responding to the location. Dialogue with Parrett continued for over an hour and half with no impact. Parrett made statements indicating that officers would need to shoot him before he would give up. Officers attempted to use less than lethal means to have the suspect drop the rod and surrender. He continued to maintain control of the weapon, refusing to drop it. Ultimately, Parrett was taken into custody with the assistance of a department K9.

Parrett was taken to a local area hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Santa Monica Jail. He was booked for 245 (a) 1 PC – Assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to inflict great bodily injury.

Patagonia Santa Monica is the grand prize winner of the 28th annual Sustainable Quality Awards, the city announced today.

The business is among several others recognized for sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the environment, demonstrating excellence in helping move Santa Monica toward a more sustainable future.

Five additional local businesses received excellence awards:

Angeles Investment Advisors for excellence in economic development.
Avocado Green Mattress for excellence in stewardship of the environment.
HGA for excellence in stewardship of the environment.
Physical Therapyworks for excellence in social responsibility.
Yoga-urt for excellence in economic development and stewardship of the environment.

The awards program is a partnership between the city and Santa Monica based environmental education nonprofit Sustainable Works.

The public is invited to attend the annual Sustainable Quality Awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 1, from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway.

A reception to celebrate the businesses for their achievements will take place after with food and beverages, exhibitor tables and networking. The ceremony will begin promptly at 5 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Registration is required.

For more info and register for the event, Click Here.

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

A homeless man with a weapon shuts down PCH in Santa Monica pic.twitter.com/duTyP9L9sT

— WCoastSanta Monica (@WCoast_) April 8, 2024

Pacific Coast Highway was shut down in both directions in Santa Monica on Monday as police were in a stand off with a homeless man.

Witnesses said he threatened a lifeguard with a screwdriver, then fled across PCHand up into the bluffs just south of Patrick's Roadhouse. Police, along with the SWAT, K9-units, and the Fire Department, tried to get him to come out. Witnesses said he was threatening to jump, but looking at where he was in the video, there's nothing to jump from. Police eventually apprehended him as seen in the video. He was taken a medical facility for evaluation.

Join us on 4/12 on the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade to watch High School Musical 1 and relive this classic with the best sing-along of your life!

For more info, Click Here.

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

A McLaren loses control and nearly hits a motorcycle police officer, then wrecks into 3 cars that are parked next to the cliff overlooking the ocean on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades, California. This happen as vehicles were leaving a supercar show being held in the Gladstone's parking lot on Sunday morning.

Join Friends of Venice Library in the library parking lot to witness the partial solar eclipse and share this experience with the community. Glasses will distributed while supplies last. Celestial snacks generously provided by Friends of Venice Library.

Monday, April 08, 2024
10 a.m. - 12 noon
Venice - Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library 501 S. Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291

For more info, Click Here.

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

Part of the Venice Beach Canals that people don't like to see.