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🌱 Patch AM: Ribbon Cutting Planned For SMPD Downtown Substation

Also check out Season Finale – YuEun Gemma Kim plays Dvořák on the Santa Monica Patch calendar

Thursday May 28th Patch AM

Hey there, Santa Monica! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

  • New downtown police substation aims to boost safety and visibility
  • Man arrested after violent bat and dog attack in downtown
  • New $6 million program to help Santa Monica renters stay housed

Also on today's calendar: Season Finale – YuEun Gemma Kim plays Dvořák and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What's a good time to go to the dentist? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Morning mist; clouds breaking, with a high of 66 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Friday: Some clouds, then sunshine, temps: high: 69, low: 59.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ribbon Cutting Planned For SMPD Downtown Substation (patch.com) — Santa Monica residents are invited to a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new police substation on the first floor of Santa Monica Place, aimed at boosting safety downtown. The facility will function as a public safety command center and community hub, improving coordination, foot and bike patrols, and direct access to officers for residents, visitors, and businesses.    

2. Jewish Couple Attacked By Man Yelling Profanity, Waving Baseball Bat In Downtown Santa Monica: Video (patch.com) — Police say a man was arrested after allegedly threatening a Jewish couple in downtown Santa Monica, swinging a baseball bat and chasing them as his dog bit one victim’s leg. Detectives are reviewing witness statements and video to determine whether hate crime-related charges or sentencing enhancements may be added, and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact SMPD.    

3. $6M Rent Aid Program Approved For Santa Monica Residents (patch.com) — Santa Monica renters struggling with high housing costs may soon qualify for help from a new $6 million city-funded Renter Aid program launching this summer. Funded by voter-approved Measure GS and run with nonprofit The People Concern, the initiative will provide financial assistance and housing stabilization services to about 150 local households annually, with priority for those at highest risk of homelessness.    

4. SMC Board Approves Mass Layoffs Amid Financial Crisis (smdp.com) — Santa Monica College’s Board of Trustees has voted 6–2 to lay off 45 classified employees as it struggles with a multimillion‑dollar budget deficit and rapidly shrinking reserves. Trustees, faculty, and staff clashed over whether poor long‑term financial management and anti‑labor attitudes led to the crisis, while administrators warned that even these painful cuts won’t fully close the structural budget gap in coming years.    

5. Man and his dog allegedly chase couple down Santa Monica street (cbsnews.com) — Santa Monica police arrested a man after a frightening confrontation where he and his dog allegedly chased a Jewish couple near 3rd Street and Broadway, injuring one victim. The case has raised local concerns about safety and possible hate motivation, with the incident now under review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office while the dog remains in animal control custody.    


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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Chloe needs a home!
    Her owner can’t keep her, he works all day and doesn’t care about her. We have until the end of May to help her!! She’s cute with the cat that… (Nextdoor Wilshire Montana)
  • Missing cat, please contact me if you see him.
    Thank you. It has been almost three days now. Mimi has one green eye one blue eye. (Nextdoor Sunset Park-Northwest)
  • Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District posted a job opening for Dance Teacher 20% - Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica. Apply here.
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Campus Monitor in Santa Monica. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Monica here.

Ok Santa Monica! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: 2:30 (tooth hurty) (Thank you Pat A. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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