Photos: Curfew Extended Monday As Clean Up Begins In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — National Guard troops are outside the mall and downtown Santa Monica area early Monday as the city recovers from looting and damage to buildings throughout the area.

The city of Santa Monica announced an extended curfew for residents Monday beginning at 1 p.m. for businesses and 4 p.m. citywide.

From 3rd Street Promenade to Abbot Kinney in Venice, including businesses along Main and Second streets, shattered glass, graffiti and trash remained from overnight.

More than 400 people were arrested in Santa Monica overnight, police officials said during a press conference Monday at the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus will suspend service at noon Monday in accordance with guidance provided by the Santa Monica Police Department and for the safety of customers and staff, city officials announced. Regular Big Blue Bus service is scheduled to resume Tuesday but may be subject to change.

Santa Monica and Venice were hit hard with looting following demonstrations protesting the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Officials in Santa Monica have planned to impose another curfew Monday to try to stop violence and looting that raged over the weekend, as religious, community and labor leaders call for an end to the demonstrations.

Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown said it was time to begin rebuilding, not just damaged businesses, but trust in the community.

"Sunday was one of the most distressing days in Santa Monica history," McKeown said in a news release.

"We know better than to let the looters obscure the message of the protesters, who have indeed been heard," McKeown said. " What a small and selfish criminal element has done instead is to bring our community more closely together. We will support our local businesses to recover from this."

"Much was lost on Sunday, including property and innocence," he said. "As Mayor, I’m grateful that we did not lose any lives. Our public safety officers showed professional restraint and resolve under the most difficult of circumstances."

The I-10 and Pacific Coast Highway off-ramps into Santa Monica remain closed.

The city urges anyone who wants to help in recovery and clean up efforts to wait until 9 a.m. Monday.

"For your safety, please stay inside and wait until after 9 a.m. Monday, June 1 to begin clean up efforts to ensure that curfew orders are fully complete and so that businesses have an opportunity to assess damage," McKeown said.

"If you are supporting local clean up efforts, please bring your own face coverings, work gloves, brooms, dustpans and trash bags. Please stay six feet apart and work in small groups," he said.

Overnight the City is working to board up businesses impacted. City Public Works crews will be working early Monday morning to clean city streets and sidewalks, remove graffiti, and conducting damage assessment. Monday we will also begin rebuilding community-wide.
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) June 1, 2020

We expect lots of debris, and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s commitment and willingness to help. For your safety, please stay inside and wait until after 9am Monday, June 1 to begin clean up efforts to ensure that curfew orders are fully complete.
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) June 1, 2020

We also want businesses have an opportunity to assess damage. If you are supporting local clean up efforts, please bring your own face coverings, work gloves, brooms, dustpans and trash bags. Please stay 6’ apart and work in small groups.
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) June 1, 2020

- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

See more:

• Stores Looted In Santa Monica As Looting Overtakes Protests
• Photos: George Floyd Protests Continue In Santa Monica
• Target Closes Calif. Stores As Protests Break Out Nationwide