From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Santa Monica police arrested a man for allegedly using a recording device to film a woman in a gender-neutral public restroom. Officers responded to a disturbance call and discovered that the individual had been involved in an altercation. Upon investigation, authorities determined the man had violated California Penal Code Section 647(j), which prohibits the unlawful invasion of privacy.

Under PC 647(j), it is illegal to use a device to record or view someone in a private setting without their consent. A conviction for this misdemeanor carries penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

According to the police sergeant, the suspect, who was apprehended at the scene, also had an outstanding $50,000 warrant for a similar offense in another jurisdiction. The incident occurred when the suspect allegedly used a stall to record another person, who noticed the intrusion and reported it to authorities. Officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect before he fled the 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.

It's time for Santa Monica's 7th Annual Polar Bear Plunge!

Saturday, January 4, 2025, 10am-2pm
Annenberg Community Beach House

Looking for a bold way to kick off 2025? The Annual Polar Bear Plunge is a great way to refresh, reset, and have some fun. If you have never been part of a Polar Bear Plunge, it’s time to see what you’re missing.

The morning starts with a 10 a.m. check-in at Guest Services before heading to the shoreline in front of the Beach House. The first plunge takes place around 10:15 a.m. starting with the youngest Polar Bears, followed by the rest of the crowd. The most stalwart Polar Bears can take part in the 300-yard swim around a buoy. At this no judgement zone, whether you stick your toes in the ocean, take a quick dip or round the buoy, it’s a great experience that gets the blood pumping and the skin tingling. After the invigorating ocean plunge, warm up in the heated Beach House pool. Gather with friends and family, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and grab a photo with our very own Pat the Polar Bear mascot.

Pool admission will be charged for Polar Bears and others entering the pool deck to visit, soak, swim in the heated pool, or take a hot shower.

In-person registration will be available but may be limited on the day of event. Parking is $3 per hour or $8 per day.

Pool Admission: $10/adult, $5/senior adult age 60+, $4/youth age 1-17.

For more info, Click Here

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

UPDATE: 12/18. 4037 acres burned, 89% containment. 100% of inspections are complete. Red Flag warning, extremely dangerous fire weather & PSPS power shutoffs continues until 6PM tonight (wind). City Hall is open, with a Franklin Fire Recovery Desk in the lobby

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.

Los Angeles County Lifeguard reported that "Sunday night at approximately 10:30 PM, a ~40’ power vessel was reported to have sunk while anchored just south of the Marina del Rey Harbor entrance by a passing mariner. Lifeguard units responded and confirmed the report. Lifeguard Underwater Rescue & Recovery Unit dove the site to search for occupants, identify the vessel, and assess the environmental risk/impact. No persons were aboard/found, the vessel was ID’d, no major environmental hazards were found, and the vessel was marked to alert passing mariners."

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a traffic safety operation December 20, 2024 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

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.

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.

SMPD offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

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

Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
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, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross. 

Welcome to Meet the Fleet: the show that takes you inside the cab and under the hood of LA County's fleet of vehicles. On this episode, meet LA County's fleet of tractors and sanitizers keeping the coastline clean and pristine.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Monday, December 16, 2024, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters swiftly responded to a structure fire in a historic three-story building located at 15 Horizon Avenue in Venice. Built in 1912, the 112-year-old building showcased the resilience of modern safety systems in protecting older structures.

According to LAFD Captain Steve Marquez, crews from Station 63, Engine 62, and Battalion 4 arrived on the scene to find a small grease fire on a stove in a second-floor unit. The building’s fire alarm and sprinkler systems activated, containing the fire to a minor scale before firefighters extinguished it.

Captain Marquez confirmed that all occupants were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries. Firefighters also shut off the sprinkler system, cleared water from the affected area, and ensured residents could return to their homes."

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.

Red Flag Warning in Effect in Malibu Tues 12/17 to Wed 12/18/24

Santa Ana winds will increase across much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Tuesday afternoon with winds likely peaking Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Northeast winds will rapidly develop with gusts likely ranging from 40 to 60 mph, strongest in the mountains. These winds combined with minimum humidity in the 10 to 20 percent range will very likely lead to critical Red Flag fire weather conditions developing Tuesday afternoon to evening and continuing through Wednesday afternoon.

For more on the Franklin Fire, Click Here.

Topanga Canyon Blvd/Route 27 is CLOSED between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway/Route 1 in Topanga area from 3pm Tuesday 12/17 until 6pm Wednesday 12/18 due to Red Flag Warning fire danger.

Only residents & local business traffic allowed in the canyon.

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