$6.1M Grant To Help Combat Retail Theft In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A $6.1 million grant will help the Santa Monica Police Department enhance efforts to combat organized retail theft within the city, Governor Gavin Newsom announced.

The grant will directly support ongoing efforts to stop robberies, such as a recent string of break-ins that targeted three businesses on Montana Avenue earlier this month. Burglars made off with thousands of dollars in cash and caused extensive damage to the businesses, according to police.

“We are glad that the state has joined forces with local agencies to acknowledge that
organized retail theft doesn't just affect large corporations — it hurts our small businesses,
puts employees and shoppers in danger, and it creates feelings of unease and fear in the
community,” Police Chief Ramon Batista said.

Specifically, the grant funding will help further establish the Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time Center, or SMART Center, which analyzes data in order to strategically allocate police resources in crimes throughout Santa Monica.

Once established, the SMART Center will help aggregate data and coordinate police response by using various technologies including:

• Closed-circuit television camera and a video management system;
• Automated license plate readers, both mobile and at fixed locations;
• Police drones that are able to respond to incidents quickly to collect information before officers arrive;
• Live 911, a program that allows officers to hear 911 calls as they are being recieved.

"There is no understating the benefit our entire community will realize with the
establishment of the SMART Center. This cutting-edge hub of information will increase the
effectiveness and efficiency of public safety in Santa Monica,” Batista said. “The SMART
center will support proactive police work that can prevent crime, acting as an additional
layer of safety, identifying crime as it happens.”

SMPD was one of 38 law enforcement agencies that were awarded funds through California's Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program.

City police said this grant compliments ongoing safety initiatives that have begun locally, such as adding focused deployments in major shopping areas. SMPD also joined the Los Angeles County Retail Theft Task Force created to collaboratively address high-profile retail theft incidents.

“Promoting a Clean and Safe Santa Monica is a top priority to support the safety and
wellbeing of all who live, work and visit our great city,” City Manager David White said. “I
commend the Police Department for the work they’ve already done securing this grant and
look forward to seeing the tangible impacts of this funding and future strategic initiatives.”