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 the week of June 16, 2024.

“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. 

Expect one lane to be blocked on northbound or southbound Pacific Coast Highway by a moving closure between Sunset Blvd & Topanga Canyon Blvd for drainage upgrades Monday, June 17 - Friday June 21 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

Strong to gale force winds and choppy seas will affect most of the coastal waters through Sunday. Expecting elevated surf at west facing coasts, with strong, dangerous rip currents.

On Thursday afternoon, there was an attempt to blow up a truck in the 2nd Street parking structure in downtown Santa Monica.

Someone opened the gas door on a parked Toyota truck on one of the upper levels of the structure, unscrewed the gas gap, stuck a rag into the gas filler neck and set it on fire.

2 people saw the fire, called 911, and stopped it before the truck caught fire. The owner returns and is happy to find out the truck was saved, and let's the officers know he does have an ex who is pissed at him, but she is currently out of town.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at approximately 12:05 AM, Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2700 block of Main Street, near Jameson’s Pub, in response to a radio call of a Battery that Just Occurred. A fight ensued on the street when the Jameson’s manager asked several patrons to leave. Out on the street, one of the patrons punched the manager, causing him to lose consciousness. When the officers arrived on scene, the manager was not breathing. Officers administered CPR until the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived and took over lifesaving measures. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he ultimate succumbed to his injuries.

All three patrons involved in the incident were initially arrested and booked at the Santa Monica Jail. Following a thorough investigation of the incident, the individual responsible for punching the victim was positively identified as:

Korpie, Leonard Hector, DOB: 02/2/1998, a resident of Venice.



On June 13, the District Attorney filed the homicide charge and Korpie is being held on $2 million bail.

Anyone with information related to this incident or this individual is encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at Hector.Tavera@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

The Punk Museum Presents Venice Beach Memories 1971 a film by Bill Alsup. and Patrick Jordan. Music by Tequila and Raelsey. Video by Roger Cornwall.

Join us for a day of rays, waves, and new friends, and help us raise money for Los Courage Camps—an organization with a mission to teach the diverse children of Los Angeles who have never experienced the ocean how to surf—connecting them with their potential and inner strength. The morning starts with free seaside yoga by @sarahfromtexas followed by a donation-based Intro to surf lesson* (morally $200+) from Los Courage Camps founder @gisellecc and friends. Treats and drinks will be available for all attendees. Whether you're a yogi, a newbie surfer, or just a beach bum at heart—this event's your ticket! Ride the tide, and back a great cause.

For more info and to register, Click Here.

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

All lanes had to be closed at 5330 Kanan Dume Rd, in Malibu on Wednesday morning. A vehicle went over the side and took out a power pole.



For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

June 10, 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:

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The en

tire swim area. · Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

The entire swim area.

· Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Pier in Malibu

The entire swim area.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· 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.

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

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18

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.