Crime & Safety
Santa Monica Beefs Up Police Patrols In Wake Of Shootings
The city is increasing police visibility at the Pier, beach, Palisades Park and downtown following two shootings over the weekend.
SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica is stepping up police patrols around some of the city's busiest public areas following two shootings over the weekend, including a fatal officer-involved shooting in Palisades Park.
The city announced Tuesday that an enhanced police presence is being deployed starting this week at the Santa Monica Pier, along the beach, in Palisades Park and throughout downtown.
The move follows separate shootings Saturday and Sunday that prompted significant police responses in and around the downtown area.
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"Our responsibility is to protect everyone who lives in, works in, and visits Santa Monica," Police Chief Darrick Jacob said. "That means being present, visible, and accessible."
Two Shootings Over The Weekend
On Sunday evening, a man in his 20s was shot in the leg during an attempted robbery near the Pier ramp, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
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Police said the victim was approached by a group of people, and an altercation followed. One person opened fire, striking the man in the leg. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
A juvenile suspect was arrested later that evening in connection with the incident. The city said Tuesday that detectives are actively pursuing the remaining suspects and that additional arrests are anticipated.
The shooting came one day after a separate incident in Palisades Park in which a Santa Monica police officer fatally shot a man who authorities said charged at officers while armed with a knife.
No officers or other members of the public were injured, according to police.
The city said the officer-involved shooting is being investigated under established protocols and that body-worn camera footage from the incident will be released within the next few weeks.
More Officers, Business Outreach
The increased deployment is intended to provide a more visible and consistent police presence in areas heavily used by residents, visitors and businesses, city officials said.
"Our officers are on the Pier, in our parks, along the beach, throughout downtown, and in our residential neighborhoods, day and night," Jacob said. "That presence builds trust, supports safety, and allows us to respond when our community needs us."
The city also plans to conduct direct outreach to businesses around downtown and the Pier in the coming days to hear concerns and provide safety resources.
"The events of this past weekend were unacceptable, and our community deserves to see how seriously we take our public safety responsibilities," City Manager Oliver Chi said.
Santa Monica will also hold two Coffee with a Cop events this week. The first is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. A second will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday at the SMPD Downtown Substation, 395 Santa Monica Place.
The city said major crime fell 12.5% in Santa Monica in 2025 compared with the previous year, while SMPD has reached full sworn staffing for the first time in more than 20 years.
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