Message from the Chief to the Community: A Commitment to Safety and Vigilance

Message from the Chief to the Community: A Commitment to Safety and Vigilance

September 6, 2024 5:37 PM
by Ramon Batista

Dear Community Members,

I want to address the concerns many of you have voiced following recent incidents that have shaken residents and business owners and contributed to a feeling of unease in the community. Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed a disturbing string of crimes, particularly sexual assaults occurring in public spaces. Tragically, this morning, a homeless individual was discovered in an alley with a fatal stab wound. These incidents have understandably captured the community's attention and alarm. I want to assure you that they are also deeply troubling to me and the police department. Recognizing these issues drives our full commitment to addressing the crime trends and ensuring the safety of our community.

I want to clarify that while these incidents are distressing, there is no indication that they are part of a coordinated effort or linked to organized crime. None of the high-profile crimes, including a kidnapping and two attempted kidnappings, were connected. After careful investigation, we determined that these events are unrelated and have no known connection to any criminal networks or actors.

However, there is a critical factor that we must all acknowledge. Many of these incidents share a common thread that we as a community have become increasingly aware: the intersection of homelessness, mental illness, and drug use. This is not an easy topic to discuss, but it is important. Over the past several years, our region and city have undergone significant changes, bringing new challenges that we must address together. As a police department, we are committed to adapting and finding solutions to keep everyone in our community safe.

We want to reassure you that this commitment is unwavering, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure your safety. As many of you know, we are actively recruiting to fill our vacancies and employing a growing suite of technology solutions, such as our Drone as a First Responder program, fixed and mobile cameras, and Automatic License Plate Readers. These advanced tools are part of our strategy to keep our community safe, and in February 2025, our real-time crime center will incorporate all these tools into one crime-fighting hub.

Our officers are working tirelessly to increase patrols in areas identified as higher risk, especially in public spaces where these incidents have occurred. They are communicating more seamlessly amongst themselves and with dispatchers to address calls for service and share information about criminal behavior and suspects. We are monitoring and working closely with LAPD's West LA and Pacific Divisions to ensure we maintain safety along our city's borders with Los Angeles. We have increased our foot and bike patrols in our neighborhoods and business corridors to strengthen our bonds with those we serve. Moreover, we are revitalizing our Neighborhood Watch program, and several in-person meetings with our Neighborhood Resource Officers have been tremendously well-received and successful; we need your partnership. Lastly, we have several teams who are specifically addressing homelessness, drug use, and mental illness in our streets, parks, beaches, and other public spaces.

We want to reassure you that your safety is our top priority, and we are committed to working with you to address these challenges.

Homelessness: Our Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team has provided enforcement and engagement options for the police department since 1990. Never have we needed this team more than now. Our HLP officers work city-wide addressing multiple aspects of homelessness, from the engagement of those experiencing it, to the quality-of-life issues it creates for the entire community.

Mental Illness:We are collaborating closely with community organizations, mental health professionals, and social services to address the complex needs of individuals who may be at risk of causing harm or finding themselves in situations where they are vulnerable to harm. We have a longstanding partnership with the LA County Department of Mental Health and currently host two full-time DMH Clinicians who ride with our HLP Team and Patrol Division and can provide a higher level of evaluation expertise and connect people with County services. We also have a newer resource in the community that can assist: The Therapeutic Transport Team (TTT). This team consists of a clinician, a driver, and a person with lived experience. When an individual needs mental health care or intervention, officers can contact the TTT to evaluate that person and connect them with professional care and services.

Drug Use / Sales:Over the past few weeks, we have reinitiated a team of patrol officers dedicated to addressing specific crime problems at hotspots in the city, including the parks and downtown area. It is difficult to ferret out drug dealers, but we are undeterred in our efforts. It is only by getting to the root of drug accessibility within our city borders that we can make a dent in the antisocial behavior caused by drug use. https://santamonica.gov/blog/the-blue-notebook-a-weekly-smpd-recap-5

Concerning the users, the LA County Superior Court order of "Zero Bail" makes it harder for our officers to take people to jail for drug possession; however, we are finding success in arresting people in possession of drugs who also have significant warrants. The warrants allow us to hold people in jail and make a greater difference in the overall effort combatting public drug use.

Community safety is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to leading the way. We will work with our partners in city and regional government as well as social services, but we need the active participation of every resident to help us create a safer environment. If you see something suspicious, please report it immediately. Stay aware of your surroundings and take simple precautions, such as traveling in groups and using well-lit paths. Encourage those in your community to seek help if they are struggling with homelessness, mental illness, or addiction. We have resources available and are here to support anyone in need.

I also want to reassure you that the police department is committed to transparency and accountability. We are continually reviewing our policies and practices to ensure they are effective, just, and responsive to our community's changing needs. We understand that trust is earned through action and are dedicated to achieving and maintaining your trust daily.

Ramón Batista

Chief of Police

Authored By

Ramon Batista
Chief of Police

Categories

Programs, Safety