From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Venice Beach saw a coordinated enforcement effort on Wednesday, November 20, 2027, as Los Angeles Animal Control officers, accompanied by LAPD officers, issued citations to individuals violating pet-related ordinances. Violations included unlicensed animals, dogs off-leash, and bringing dogs onto the beach, all prohibited under city and state laws."

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.

On September 6th, 2024, Santa Monica Police Department Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) officers received a radio call of a person lying on the ground in the 1100 Block of Alley 6. When officers arrived, they discovered a deceased male in his 30s with one stab wound to the upper chest area. Two detectives were designated as the handling investigators and several other from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) responded to assist. As a team, CID gathered evidence, video footage, and witness statements throughout the day.

After an extensive and thorough investigation, detectives determined the suspect to be a security guard (photo above) who worked in a building adjacent to the incident. Detectives presented the case to an LA County Deputy District Attorney who believed there was enough evidence to file the murder charge. An arrest warrant was issued for Gaston who was subsequently taken into custody on November 7th at the Santa Monica police station. During his interrogation, Gaston admitted to the murder as well as a previous assault in July. Gaston remains in the custody of the LA County Sheriff’s Department pending trial.

Anyone with information about this individual or incident is encouraged to contact Detective Kayondo at lawrence.kayondo@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Police Department officers responded to the scene of a fatal traffic collision near the 1800 block of Lincoln Blvd. A bicyclist was traveling southbound on Lincoln Blvd when he was struck by a vehicle and subsequently struck again by a second vehicle. Both drivers remained at the scene and are cooperating with the investigation. Neither driver showed signs of impairment.

Tragically, the victim, a 41-year-old male believed to be homeless, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

On Tuesday afternoon, SMPD officers responded to a report of suspicious activity on the high school campus. As a precaution, students were sheltering in place. It was determined to be a false alarm. Officers are conducting a thorough search to ensure everyone's safety.

"Last weekend, we said goodbye to one of our own, Michael “Newmie” Newman—an extraordinary individual in every sense. His legacy and impact will be deeply missed. Rest easy, Newmie." the Los Angeles County Fire Dept, Lifeguard Division posted to their social medai..

Los Angeles-born Michael Newman rose to fame in the '90s as mainstay TV lifeguard Mike "Newmie" Newman on the long-running series Baywatch, and was the only member of the hit cast who actually was a lifeguard. Newman was also a full-time firefighter and maintained his schedule at the firehouse while filming the show. When the series ended its run, he continued firefighting until he retired after 25 years.

On October 20, Mike passed away due to complications from heart issues. He was 68 years old and had lived with Parkinson’s disease for the past 18 years.

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:

November 18, 2024

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Windward storm drain at Venice Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· Big Rock Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access steps.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

• Herondo Street storm drain in Hermosa Beach. Near Hermosa Tower TK

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

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

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

· Pico-Kenter Storm Drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20.

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

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.

A little after 5:30 on the morning of November 16, 2024, Santa Monica Police Officers responded to a call of an aggravated assault at an apartment in the 1100 Block of 12th Street. The reporting party told dispatchers his brother stabbed their mother several times.

Upon arrival, officers located two male adults (brothers) and removed them from the apartment. An elderly female was down inside, suffering from several upper body stab wounds. Our officers rendered emergency medical aid to the victim until the arrival of SMFD paramedics. The victim was transported to a local hospital. She died of her wounds on the way.

The suspect, 43-year-old Vernon Jeremiah Harris, lives at the location with his mother, the victim, and two older brothers. Harris has no known criminal history. He may have physical and developmental disabilities. The brother who called police acts as a caregiver for Harris and their mother. The brother woke up this morning when he heard his mother yelling for help. When he walked into her bedroom, he found Harris standing over her with a knife.

The third brother was at work during the incident but arrived on scene during the investigation. Both of Harris' brothers provided statements for detectives.

A search warrant was executed at the apartment and detectives located the weapon used in the attack. Forensics responded and processed the scene.

Harris will be booked and then transported to Los Angeles County Jail to await his first court appearance.

stock photo

On November 17, 2024, Santa Monica Police Officers responded to a report of Shots Fired at a residence in the 3300 Block of Exposition. A neighbor told dispatchers she also heard a male voice coming from the garage threatening to kill someone.

Officers on scene located two elderly females unharmed inside the residence. They also located the third member of the household, suspect Arthur Tabuchi, unharmed and inside. While checking the garage, officers located a shotgun shell mounted on top of a work bench. The shell had been rigged with a spring-loaded firing pin and wire attached to the end of the pin and the garage door. Officers determined the wire was set to pull the pin out of the housing and fire the shell toward the door when opened.

The officers located a second shotgun shell located next to a pedestrian gate on the north side of the house with a similar firing pin/trip wire set up. This shell, which had been altered to be a sound diversion device (no projectile) had been recently discharged and is believed to be the source of the original Shots Fired call.

Officers evacuated the house and called the LA County Bomb Squad to clear the residence and garage of additional booby traps. No others were located and the shotgun shell in the garage was dismantled. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the location and found additional illegally obtained ammunition.

Tabuchi was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. Felony charges of assembling, placing and maintaining a booby trap (California Penal Code 20110) will be filed by written complaint with the District Attorney’s office.

Here's surfing photos from Saturday at the Venice Breakwater. This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Jack's Surfboards.                                                                

Here's surfing photos from Saturday, November 16th at the Venice Breakwater.

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

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 gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.










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

Venice Breakwater - Saturday 11-16-2024 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.