On March 20, 2026, the Santa Monica Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Some behind-the-scenes footage of Baywatch filming Wednesday morning at the Venice Beach Pier.

Unfounded Threat Investigated at Santa Monica High School; Normal Operations Resumed

Reports of a potential threat at Santa Monica High School were thoroughly investigated and determined to be unfounded. There is no credible threat to the campus and no injuries have been reported.

Today, at approximately 11:10 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department received multiple calls from an individual making threats toward the school. School Resource Officers and additional personnel responded immediately, coordinating with school administrators to implement a temporary shelter-in-place out of an abundance of caution. Officers conducted a systematic search of the surrounding area while maintaining a high-visibility presence.

The shelter-in-place was lifted at approximately 11:54 a.m., and normal school operations have resumed. Officers will remain on campus to provide continued reassurance and support.

The investigation into the source of the calls is ongoing. Threats involving schools are taken seriously, and individuals responsible for making false or threatening reports will be held accountable.

Ken and Barbie came down to skate aroud Venice Beach.

On Sunday afternoon, a suspect about to be placed under arrest for striking the woman he is with, breaks free from the officers and takes off running through the crowd on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. The video shows a person kicking him which causes him to go down before getting tackled by the officers. One officer gets injured in the ordeal.

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire on the Santa Monica Pier following a large fight involving multiple individuals.

During the incident, one individual sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was taken to a local hospital. Officers responded quickly to the scene and provided initial medical aid to the victim before paramedics arrived. The department maintains a regular patrol presence on the Santa Monica Pier, allowing officers to respond rapidly when incidents occur.

A second individual, who suffered a graze wound, also sought medical treatment at a local hospital. Detectives later determined that the second injured individual was the suspected shooter.

The suspect, Jaysawn Williams, 18, of Rialto, was taken into custody after receiving medical treatment and transported to the Santa Monica Jail. Williams was booked on charges of assault with a firearm (PC 245(a)(2)) and grossly negligent discharge of a firearm (PC 246.3(a)).

SMPD officers remain committed to maintaining a visible presence in high-traffic areas such as the Santa Monica Pier to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

The Santa Monica Pier has since reopened and normal operations have resumed.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Esteban Hernandez of the Santa Monica Police Department at esteban.hernandez@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

A rollerskater gets arrested after disrupting a childrens skateboarding class injurying a child.

Every Saturday, from 8 - 10AM, the Venice Beach Recreation Center hosts a skateboarding classes for kids under 12 years old. Taught by Skateboarding Hall of Famer Lonny Hiramoto, the classes use the Rollerskating Plaza because it is a really the only smooth flat surface with limited bike and pedestrian traffic, thus providing a safeeee enviroment for these kids who are just learning to ride a board.

Acording to several of the witnesses, this woman rolerskater showed up at 8 AM and started harrassing the class, yelling at Lonny, getting in the way, and bumping into the kids. Her interactions with the class esculated to a breaking point which resulted in a kid getting knocked down.

When the police arrive, she claims they mobbed up on her and assault her and that they are all lying about wht happened. She claims one of the guys assaulted her. After the police investigate, including reviewing videos from both parties, she is placed under arrest for battery. The police say the guy she claims hit her is nowhere to be found.

A few hours after the arrest she was released with just a ticket, according to her, she sent Shacked Mag a private mesage stating that and demanding the Instagram post about this be removed. Se also made coments on the post stating everyone lied. After she got backlash from several people replying to her, she deleted everything.

The iconic Dukes Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu reopened on Friday after being closed for 14 months due to damage from the Paisades Fire and the mudslides that came after the fire.

Daisy the Venice Healer gives a tour of her new garden.