The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating a mob assault that sent one child to the hospital and forced the early closure of the Santa Monica Pier in July.
By: Matthew Hall
Date: July 17, 2024
The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating a mob assault that sent one child to the hospital and forced the early closure of the Santa Monica Pier last week.
The incident began on July 14 with an illuminated drone show near the Santa Monica Pier at about 9 p.m.
SMPD said officers were deployed on the beach, Pier, and Ocean Front Walk observing the crowd and responding to any disturbances. According to Lt. Erika Aklufi the spectators were peaceful and followed instructions to stay within the designated viewing areas. Following the show, the crowd dispersed, and smaller groups headed onto the Pier and up the Pier Ramp.
However, about 15 minutes after the show ended, a 14-year-old boy was attacked and possibly knocked unconscious near 120 Colorado.
“Officers arrived on the scene at 9:48 pm and further dispersed the crowd,” said Lt. Aklufi. “The fire department transported the juvenile victim to a local hospital and our officers completed a report.”
Social media posts about the incident say the child was chased from the Pier to the Surfing Fox restaurant by the mob and was saved from further assault due to a pair of bystanders intervening.
According to SMPD additional disturbances were reported at 4th and Colorado as the group moved east. The disturbance and the extensive number of people still on the Pier prompted officials to close the structure at 10:30 p.m. rather than the normal closure of 11 p.m.
The assault is currently under investigation but follows a rash of beachfront crime in the city including a homeless man assaulting a child on the Pier, a group of beach vendors attacking visitors and the attempted drowning of a woman.
In addition to the serious crimes, SMPD has seen an increase in calls lately as Summer heat has drawn more people to the beach.
SMPD received 1,654 calls for service from July 4th to the 7th including both calls from the public and self-initiated activity like Periodic Checks (286 completed), Pedestrian Stops (62), traffic stops (98) and encampments addressed (18). SMPD said there was an expected increase in municipal code violations over the July 4 holiday mostly due to fireworks but they also responded to calls like: Disturbing the Peace – 198, Petty Theft – 37, Status/Welfare Check – 53, Trespassing – 59, Misdemeanor Battery – 16 and Traffic Collisions – 16.
Over the holiday weekend, officers wrote 91 reports and issued 117 non-traffic citations (cite and release misdemeanor arrests).
According to SMPD, officers physically booked/arrested 37 individuals over the holiday: 19 for misdemeanors (released from the jail with citations per Zero Bail), 11 for felonies, and seven warrant arrests. The felony arrests were for: Felony Domestic Violence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2), Commercial Burglary (2), Possession of Drugs with Intent to Sell (2), Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Felony Criminal Threats, Felony Vandalism, Felony Parole Violation (2), and Felony Battery on a Police Officer.
The misdemeanor arrests included: Misdemeanor Vandalism, Misdemeanor Assault, Misdemeanor Battery, Indecent Exposure, Shoplifting, Public Intoxication, Drug Possession, and DUI (three arrests on July 4th).
By comparison, there were 1,434 calls for service during the four days from June 20 to the 23rd.
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