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 24, 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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles Police Officers (LAPD) responded to a call at Venice Beach on Sunday, June 23, 2024, involving a physical altercation between a homeless man and woman. Upon arrival, officers detained both individuals to investigate the incident.

After conducting their investigation, the officers arrested both individuals and transported them to jail. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about safety and conflict resolution among the homeless population in the Venice Beach area."

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Police officers and Los Angeles County lifeguards responded to a call of a man attacking multiple people at Santa Monica Beach on Monday, June 24, 2024. The suspect, identified as a black man appearing to be in his late 20s or early 30s, was located on the shoreline and promptly arrested.

According to one of the victims, the incident began near Lifeguard Tower 13. "I was sitting on the beach and heard screaming coming from Lifeguard Tower 13," the victim recounted. "I approached the situation and saw a man attacking a young woman, trying to rob her. I pushed him off, but he punched me in the face and attacked her again. I tackled him, and he turned his attention towards me, attempting to strangle me and biting my ear."



The ordeal escalated when the attacker moved towards another woman, dragging her into the water and attempting to drown her. A lifeguard intervened, and the police arrived shortly after, arresting the suspect. Firefighter paramedics attended to the victims, while forensic specialists and detectives began their investigation. Potential charges may include kidnapping and assault. Updates will be provided by the Santa Monica Police Public Information Officer as the situation develops."

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.

Story via City News Service / Photo by OnSceneTV

A 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by another teen during a summer carnival in the Palms community of Los Angeles being held as a Los Angeles Police Department fundraiser, and authorities were still searching for the culprit Sunday.

The stabbing was reported around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22 near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Keystone Avenue, the LAPD reported. The boy had been in a fight with “multiple” juveniles prior to being stabbed by the suspect, who was described a male between 15 and 20 years of age, according to the LAPD’s Media Relations Division.

The suspect fled the scene on foot.

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, and police believe the attack was gang-related, an LAPD spokesperson told City News Service on Sunday.

The stabbing occurred on the second day of a three-day event advertised as the Palms Community Weekend and Summer Carnival, co-hosted by the Pacific Area Boosters Association, the Motor Avenue Association and City Council District 5, which is represented by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky.

There was a large police presence at the event, but LAPD Officer Christian Faulkner told the media “there are windows of opportunity, unfortunately, that suspects can find and we can only cover so much of an area.”

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 24 - Friday June 28 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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

Soleil Errico dances her surfboard along the California Pacific Coast Highway, showing her expert knowledge of style, power, and grace in this film from Trent Stevens :

From Santa Monica Close Up:

" a large gathering of athletes from IE Pole Sesh met at Santa Monica Muscle Beach for a day of pole dancing. The event saw six poles installed on the Muscle Beach green for enthusiasts to use, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere."

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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles Park Rangers and LAPD officers were called to the Venice Beach Basketball Court following reports of a disruptive individual engaging in belligerent behavior and making racial slurs. Authorities intervened, advising the individual to cease his disruptive actions or face removal from the premises. The man opted to continue playing basketball, under the watchful eye of the officers who remained on-site to ensure that peace was maintained."

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.