The Santa Monica Police Department that on Monday, September 26, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed seven counts of Arson against John Dean Thomason, a 51-year-old homeless male.

Detectives were assigned to investigate several recent arson incidents. Detectives reviewed the reports, evidence, and several hours of video surveillance footage and were able to link Thomason to at least seven separate incidents. On September 25, while working patrol, the detective assigned to investigate these arsons, located Thomason in the 1200 block of Euclid and arrested him on the following cases:

08/27/22 at 5:30 PM – Fire set behind 1227 4th Street (St. Augustine Church)
08/27/22 at 5:33 PM – Fire set behind 1245 4th Street (St. Peter Coptic Church)
08/27/22 at 5:39 PM – Fire set behind 1338 5th Street (Dog PPL)
09/01/22 at 12:32 PM – Fire set behind 1630 12th Street (Radical Media)
09/01/22 at 12:33 PM – Fire set behind 1652 12th Street (Caliber Collision)
09/02/22 at 10:47 AM – Fire set behind 1547 6th Street
09/02/22 at 10:55 AM – Fire set behind 1530 5th Street (Silvercrest Senior Citizen Apt)

The case was submitted to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Bureau of Specialized Prosecution Brand and Explosives Target Crimes Department. The DA’s office filled out all 7 counts of charges against Thomason.

Anyone with additional details pertaining to the suspect is asked to contact Detective Hector Tavera at 310-458-8946 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.

CITY COUNCIL DECLARES LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY TO FACILITATE REMOVAL OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS DURING WILDFIRE SEASON

The Malibu City Council approved declaring a local state of emergency on September 27, 2022, initiating a program for reducing the risk of wildfires associated with unpermitted and unregulated camping in City limits. The resolution enables the LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), LASD-Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and the City to more quickly remove homeless encampments on public property during wildfire season. LASD and the City are prioritizing removing homeless encampments and unhoused people from the brush-covered hills and canyons of Malibu and placing them into emergency shelters. These efforts ensure that the people being removed are connected to a network of healthcare, mental healthcare and housing services. The potential for fires originating from cooking and warming fires in homeless encampments poses a serious threat both for residents and for people living in encampments who may become trapped during a fire. In 2021, the City adopted a similar resolution, based on hazardous fire conditions and the more than 20 brush fires attributed to homeless encampments between January and August, 2021

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Los Angeles Police searching for a man that punched a girl in her face on the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Just in time for the WSL Longboarding event, an excessive bacteria advisory has been issued for Malibu.

Water testing on Thursday found bacterial levels are exceeding health standards.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues cautioning residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to be careful of swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

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.

Log Rap's new video "Heat Waves".

The legendary Allen Sarlo recently came across previously unseen Super 8 surfing footage from the 1970s (including Venice, POP, and the North Shore). Working with an editor, he cut it all together beautifully . He screened the film with a Q & A session at Venice Beach. .

Gary Adler of the Venice Surfing Association gives an update on the Breakwater Open during the screening of Allen Sarlo's new film.

"Breakline" is short documentary film about the history of African American surfers in Venice. "Breakline" was an official selection of the All American High School Film Festival 2018.

Made in 2016-2017 by the Direct This class, students ages 12-16

Resident reports a man trying to break into their apartment. He takes his time trying to cover the Ring Camera, officer arrives and he threatens to kill the officer. Back up is called in. All caught on a Ring Camera.