Targeting 'High-Crime Areas,' Santa Monica Police Arrest 14 In Special Operation

SANTA MONICA, CA — Police recently arrested 14 people as part of a one-day special operation that targeted what authorities termed high-crime areas in Santa Monica.

The focus of the "special crime suppression operation" on Oct. 11 focused on the beach, pier, downtown business district and downtown parks. Santa Monica police, along with authorities from two outside agencies, combed through those areas in multi-utility vehicles, beach trucks and patrol cars, the Santa Monica Police Department said this week.

"Multiple arrests were made during the operation and several weapons and quantities of drugs were taken off the street," police said. "This operation is one of an ongoing series of special crime suppression efforts in Santa Monica coordinated by various teams within the police department."

Authorities arrested 14 people. Four were for felonies, including three charges for possession of a dirk or dagger and one no-bail parole warrant, police said.

Police also issued 11 citations and conducted 13 field interviews, according to police.

Police offered more details of two arrests.

Authorities "conducted a periodic check of Tongva Park. During a consensual encounter of two subjects near the children’s play area officers found one of the subjects was in possession of a dirk/dagger and methamphetamine. The second subject was also in possession of methamphetamine. Both subjects were arrested," police said.

The operation was mounted by the Santa Monica Police Department's Directed Action Response Team, Crime Impact Team and Special Problems Unit along with the assistance of the Los Angeles County District Attorney Bureau of Investigation's Community Violence Reduction Team and county Probation Department