Latest News


On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at about 7:30 pm, Santa Monica Police Department DART officers patrolling the Pier were flagged down by the victim of an assault that just occurred. The victim, a Spanish-speaking tourist from Mexico, told the officers that about ten minutes prior, a male suspect approached her and grabbed her breast. The suspect, later identified as Johnathan Peck, continued walking past the victim, but stayed in the area. When the victim told her friend what happened the friend approached Peck and confronted him about the sexual assault. Johnathan responded by using a large, sharpened stick to stab the friend (victim 2) in the face and neck.

Johnathan Peck fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by additional officers on the Pier. While they were conducting their investigation, officers learned that Peck was also responsible for an additional assault that occurred shortly before the one described above. Peck attacked another female, grabbing her breasts, and another male victim who was also stabbed with the stick. Two of the victims requiring medical attention were transported to local hospitals and treated for minor injuries.

In Custody: Johnathan James Peck, DOB: 11/11/1997.

Some news outlets have reported him as being homeless, but the SMPD has not annouced anything about that yet.


Santa Monica Police Department Holding Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations June 1st & 2nd

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will have extra officers on patrol June 1st and 2nd looking specifically for violation made by drivers and motorcycle riders. The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

· Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
· Use your signal when changing lanes.
· Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
· When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.


Motorcyclists
· Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
· Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
· Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
· Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
· Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.


A crowded Spring day at Sunset Point in the Pacific Palisades. Video edited from our Instagram Story footage of this day.



A bee infestation on the pike bath at Santa Monica Beach near the Santa Monica Pier.



From Santa Monica Close Up:

" Exciting news from the Venice Beach Memorial Day Bodybuilding Championships! Today marked the highly anticipated debut of a groundbreaking division: 'Angel Bikini.' The stage was graced by a group of incredibly talented women, exuding confidence and flaunting their impeccable physiques at Muscle Beach on May 29, 2023. What sets this division apart is the enchanting fusion of beauty and strength, as each competitor posed in bikinis adorned with meticulously crafted wings made from real feathers! "

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.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Witness the extraordinary at the Venice Beach Memorial Day Bodybuilding Championships! Master Bodybuilders over the age of 70 took the stage and showcased their timeless dedication and incredible strength on Monday, May 29, 2023. These seasoned athletes defied expectations, proving that age is just a number in the world of bodybuilding."

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.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


Surfing at the Venice Beach Pier during a Spring day. Video edited from our Instagram Story footage of this day.



Homeless people living inside the public restroom stalls are remove by the city, so workers can clean up.



Share the stoke of summer with your local community at Surfrider LA and the World Surf League as we celebrate International Surfing Day! We will be meeting on the beach at Tower 20, Santa Monica between 10am-12pm on Saturday, 6/17 to pick up trash and learn about waste management on our shorelines. Dune Sunscreen, Sister Betsy Surf Wax, and EMOcean will all have donated product on the sand with us as well.

Prior to the beach cleanup, Dream Team Society will be hosting a casual surf and beach hang from 9am-10am. All types of surf, boogie, or swim craft are welcome. Please bring your own board.

Started in 2005, International Surfing Day is an international celebration of the love of surfing and our beaches for all people to enjoy. The day was established to raise awareness and support for our world’s beaches and coastal environments.

Sat, Jun 17, 2023
10:00AM-12:00PM PDT

For more info & to sign up, Click Here


Call for local artists to submit original, surfing-themed art for City of Malibu's next exhibition by June 7. The Arts Commission will host a free opening reception Sun, July 16, 12PM at City Hall w/food, beverages & live music.

For more info & submissions, Click Here
Photo by Angela McGregor

Pacific Division is investigating possible homicide in the 600 block of Washington BLVD. Traffic on Washington Blvd from Palawan way to Mildred Ave will be impacted for several hours during this investigation.

According to LAPD spokesperson Warren Moore, officers received a call at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday about a man lying on the ground on a dirt path between two homes in the 600 block of Washington Boulevard.

Police said they believe the man, who is between 40 and 45 years old, had been stabbed multiple times before he was discovered on a dirt path between two houses, but that information will have to be confirmed by the coroner.


Here's surfing photos from Memorial Day at Sunset.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Body Glove.



These are just a few of the 2000+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.





















You can find about 200 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Sunset - Memorial Day 5-29-2023 Gallery #1
Sunset - Memorial Day 5-29-2023 Gallery #2


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.



Here's surfing photos from Memorial Day at Topanga.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by RVCA.

These are just a few of the 100+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.
















You can find about 100 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Topanga - Memorial Day 5-29-2023 Photo Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.