INSIDE
Police operation near downtown train platform leads to drug sales arrest and citations smmirror.com
October 2 – October 8, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
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Santa Monica Police investigate apparent murder-suicide inside Pico Boulevard home SMPD officers discovered a husband and wife dead from gunshot wounds. By Sarah Lin.
Police conducting a welfare check Saturday night discovered a husband and wife dead inside their home in an apparent murder-suicide, according to an SMPD press release. Santa Monica Police Department officers arrived at a residence along the 3100 block of Pico Boulevard around 9:39 p.m. on Sept. 26. Upon entering the building, officers
located the deceased couple. Detectives determined the husband fatally shot his wife before taking his own life. Evidence suggests the shooting occurred earlier that morning at roughly 6:42 a.m. Investigators recovered a firearm inside the home. Police stated no additional suspects were involved, characterizing the shooting as an isolated incident with no ongoing public danger. Authorities withheld the names of the deceased pending official identification and notification of family members by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, which will render final determinations on the causes and manners of death. Detectives urge anyone with relevant information to contact the department's watch commander at 310-458-8427.
Tech executive convicted of multimillion-dollar smart ring fraud and pandemic loan scam Michelle Bisnoff faces decades in federal prison after a jury finds her guilty. By Sarah Lin.
Federal jurors have convicted the chief executive of a wearable technology company for orchestrating a near-$2 million investment scam involving fake patents and illegally securing $150,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. Michelle Bisnoff, 59, who formerly resided in Pacific Palisades and Santa Barbara before moving to Boca Raton, Florida, was found guilty Thursday on 16 federal counts, including securities fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Evidence presented during the sevenday trial showed that Bisnoff was hired by U.K.-based McLear Ltd. to develop a U.S. market for payment rings containing near-field communication technology. By 2017, Bisnoff falsely asserted ownership over key patents using forged assignment documents, establishing Esos Rings Inc. to solicit funds for the product line. Federal prosecutors proved that Bisnoff engaged in extensive smart ring fraud, deceiving investors with claims that Esos was highly profitable, expanding inventory for major retailers like Target and Walmart,
and securing capital from Apple Inc. and Roc Nation. She also falsely promised lucrative stock buybacks and claimed to be finalizing a licensing deal with Middle Earth Enterprises for "The Lord of the Rings" brand. In reality, Esos generated minimal revenue, had no retail partnerships, sold only three net items online, and received no institutional backing. Bisnoff supplied
investors with falsified tax filings and financial reports, using victim funds to cover personal rent and make Ponzi-style payouts. Additionally, Bisnoff fraudulently applied for a $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan in March 2020 by misrepresenting company revenues, later diverting the relief funds to pay for a $15,600-per-month residential lease in
Pacific Palisades. U.S. District Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2027. Bisnoff faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of securities and wire fraud, 10 years for each money laundering count, and a mandatory consecutive two-year sentence for identity theft.
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October 2 – October 8, 2026
Pedestrian critically injured in evening vehicle crash along Wilshire Boulevard
An 82-year-old woman was crossing 5th Street when a turning car struck her inside a marked crosswalk. By Sarah Lin.
An 82-year-old woman remains hospitalized in critical condition following an early-evening traffic collision Sept. 24 at a downtown crosswalk. Santa Monica Police Department officers dispatched to 5th Street and Wilshire Boulevard at 5:47 p.m. found the pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the intersection. Preliminary investigative reports indicate the woman was heading southbound inside a marked crosswalk on the east side of the street when a vehicle making a left turn from southbound 5th Street onto eastbound Wilshire Boulevard hit her. Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics treated the victim at the scene
before transporting her to a regional trauma center. The driver involved stayed at the crash
site and continues to cooperate with traffic investigators. A police press representative stated the
investigation into the collision is ongoing and further updates will be released as details are confirmed.
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October 2 – October 8, 2026
Mathilda's Bakery launches second soft opening on Santa Monica and Mar Vista border
Newly established artisan bakery scales up weekend production of handlaminated pastries and fresh bread with international butter selections. By Sarah Lin.
Following high customer volume during its initial debut, Mathilda's Bakery will execute a second soft opening phase starting Friday, Oct. 2, at 3200 Airport Ave. in Santa Monica, near the Mar Vista border. The new neighborhood bakery is ramping up production for morning service from 7 a.m. to noon, Oct. 2 through Oct. 4, for this weekend only, as of now. The culinary concept highlights organic ancient grains from Arizona’s Hayden Flour Mills alongside imported French flour. Utilizing a four-day fermentation process, the kitchen hand-laminates its daily pastry lineup in small batches. Menu offerings range from traditional butter, almond, chocolate, and ham and cheese croissants to specialty items like the Sicilian Tile, seasonal shakshuka danish, passion guava danish, and gruyère and chive quiche. Savory options also include sausage rolls and veggie mushroom rolls. Bread selections baked daily on site feature classic baguettes, sesame epis, sourdough loaves, seeded sourdough, brioche loaves, chocolate cramique, and honey butter toast, as well as a five-
ingredient sandwich loaf. Prepared sandwiches include ham with Comté and salted DOP butter; turkey with Havarti, aioli, pickled onions, and sprouts; and marinated fresh zucchini with goat cheese, pine nuts, arugula sprouts, and onion confit. A centerpiece feature of the menu is an extensive international butter selection, served at room temperature and designed to pair with fresh slices of baguette, brioche, or sourdough alongside housemade organic whipped ricotta or spreads. It’s really a butter lover’s paradise: ● Paysan Breton (Brittany, France): Bold and rustic salted butter featuring sea salt flakes hand-harvested from the
Guérande marshes. ● Échiré (Loire Valley, France): AOC-designated unsalted butter churned in traditional teak barrels, offering a floral and milky profile with a hazelnut finish. ● Bordier (Brittany, France): Cultured salted butter handcrafted in SaintMalo. ● Pepe Saya (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania): Cultured salted butter crafted in small batches by local Amish dairy farmers. ● La Conviette (Charentes, France): Unsalted butter made from cream matured for at least 18 hours. ● Pamplie (Brittany, France): Salted butter made with Guérande sea salt flakes.
● Bella Capra (California): A tangy, rich goat butter option. ● Monty's (California): A plantbased, salted option crafted from coldpressed coconut oil, rapeseed oil, and fermented cashew. Guests can build custom slice pairings with organic Sierra Nevada Farm cream cheese, Once Again peanut butter, Grade A maple syrup, Nutella, or house-made seasonal jam. For its beverage program, the bakery serves espresso, americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, and brewed coffee made with beans sourced locally from Caffe Luxxe, located a few miles away.
Police operation near downtown train platform leads to drug sales arrest and citations
Undercover surveillance and live camera feeds helped officers disrupt narcotics sales along 4th Street. By Carlos Reyes.
Undercover surveillance and live video feeds helped officers disrupt open-air drug transactions near a downtown transit hub, authorities announced. Members of the Santa Monica Police Department Crime Impact Team launched the targeted operation along the 1500
block of 4th Street following a surge in community complaints and reports of illicit narcotics dealing near the train platform. Monitors operating the department's SMART Center camera system spotted suspected hand-to-hand transactions in real time and directed field units directly to those involved. Officers arrested one person on suspicion of possessing narcotics for sale after seizing suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, and various pills. Two additional individuals received citations for possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. The Santa Monica Police Department stated that specialized enforcement details will continue to utilize remote camera systems to coordinate ground responses and address localized crime concerns across the downtown corridor.
October 2 – October 8, 2026
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Record surge in rabid bats prompts public health warnings across Los Angeles County Wildlife officials report 69 confirmed cases so far this year, matching all-time highs as peak season continues. By Sarah Lin.
Record-matching counts of infected wildlife have pushed Los Angeles County to its highest level of rabies detections on record, local public health officials warned Monday. County health authorities confirmed 69 rabid bats as of Sept. 28, matching last year's historic total while peak transmission season remains underway across Los Angeles. LA County Department of Public Health officials noted a steady decade-
long increase in cases across the region. August alone accounted for 24 confirmed infections, with nearly 32 percent of bats submitted by residents testing positive for the virus. Encounters have occurred across all geographic regions of the county, spanning suburban backyards in the San Fernando Valley to urban high-rises in downtown Los Angeles. Roughly one-third of reported incidents took place inside homes, where the risk of human transmission increases significantly. https://youtu.be/J31Iq5ASrU?si=IaPfKfF-hSEGeyRI Because bat bites are extremely small and often go unnoticed, health officials urge anyone who discovers a bat inside a bedroom or near a child, sleeping person, or pet to seek immediate medical guidance. Preventive treatment administered shortly after exposure effectively halts the onset of rabies, which becomes fatal once symptoms manifest. Officials advise
residents never to handle wildlife, to keep domestic pets fully vaccinated, and to contact local animal control officers immediately to capture grounded or active daytime bats for testing.
Residents can learn more about what to do if they encounter a bat by reviewing Public Health’s fact sheet: What To Do If You Find A Bat (PDF) or http://ph.lacounty. gov/rabies.
Letter to the Editor: The Great Park and Making It Last for Generations Dear Airport and Arts Commissioners: (cc: Members of the City Council) Like many in Santa Monica, I look forward to seeing the Preferred Scenario Framework Plan. I have my own preferences for the park, but my concern here is different: whatever we create, how do we make it last? Santa Monica has been here before. In 1926, voters approved bonds to acquire this land as a public park. “Public park” was not defined then as we might define it today, and aviation itself could be seen as a public attraction. Over the century that followed, virtually all of that land became an airport and business park, with only a small portion becoming conventional park and recreation space. I don’t believe the Santa Monicans who voted in 1926 could have imagined that result. It didn’t happen through one dramatic decision. For decades, the land sat behind airport fences, open to few. Land shifted use and changed hands many times. For example, in 1977, the City traded nine acres of public land to a private developer, and they became part of a business park that sold in 2018 for $627.5 million. Much of that business park was once part of the land purchased for a public park in 1926. Each step over the last hundred years may have seemed reasonable at the time. Together, they left residents who paid for a park with an airport most of them would never use, a small amount of conventional parkland, and some public land turned into private value. Public decisions accumulate. Our own history should teach us that good intentions
are not enough. Today there is broad support for closing the airport and creating an LC-compliant Great Park. Significant public resources have been committed, residents have spent years in the planning process, and the City is moving toward a preferred framework. That is encouraging. A framework tells us what we hope to create, but it does not ensure that what we create will still be here fifty or a hundred years from now. The current council and future councils will face pressures we cannot anticipate. Finances, development pressures, and political priorities will change. New proposals will arrive that seem reasonable on their own. This is simply what happens over time. That is why long-term governance and protection should be considered now, alongside design and funding, rather than after the park is designed or built. This may be the easiest and best moment we will ever have to do it. The breadth of organizations and individuals supporting the Great Park Coalition is one visible measure of today’s consensus. The challenge now is to turn that consensus into something durable. One possibility is an independent Great Park Conservancy. It would not replace the City, privatize the park, or decide on its own what goes into it. Its purpose would be to carry forward the public vision protected by Measure LC and shaped through the community planning process. Properly structured, a conservancy could provide continuity across councils and administrations, attract philanthropy, support stewardship, preserve institutional
memory and give the park an organization whose enduring purpose is the park itself. It could also be one part of a larger structure that includes dedicated funding, formal park dedication and other land protections. I don’t pretend to know the right combination. That is exactly why the question deserves study now. We do not need every acre programmed before we begin. There is already enough clarity in the vision for all 192 acres to start building a structure capable of carrying it forward. I respectfully ask the Airport and Arts Commissions to consider encouraging the City Council to make long-term governance, stewardship, funding, and land protection an explicit part of the Great Park process. I also hope the Council will ask staff to return with governance and permanence options, including the potential role of
an independent conservancy, before the framework plan is adopted. And throughout this work, I hope residents continue to have a meaningful seat at the table. Their time, ideas, passion, and commitment have helped shape the vision for this park, and that involvement should remain part of the process as the vision becomes reality. A century ago, Santa Monicans voted to acquire this land as a public park. Today, one hundred years later, we have a second chance to create that park, and to make sure it endures. Let’s create the Great Park residents want, and this time, the structure that helps keep it a Great Park for the generations that follow us. Thank you. Sincerely, Alan Levenson Santa Monica
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October 2 – October 8, 2026
FILM REVIEW RESIDENT EVIL By Dolores Quintana
Resident Evil is one of the most popular and long-running video game franchises in the world, created in 1996 by the Japanese company Capcom. The video game franchise has also been the source of a liveaction film franchise that had six entries and two reboots. The second reboot was released on September 18. It was directed and cowritten by the acclaimed horror film director Zach Cregger, who directed Barbarian and 2025’s Weapons, which was not only lauded by film critics, but was one of the year’s biggest hits. Amy Madigan won an Academy Award for her performance as the villainous yet pitiable Aunt Gladys in Weapons. Cregger has been on a roll, and Resident Evil is something for audiences to get really excited about.
This is the first time that Cregger has directed a film that is adapted from another work, and he co-wrote the script with Shay Hatten (Army of the Dead, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum). Cregger has gone on the record as being a gamer and a fan of Resident Evil who enjoys playing the survival horror games. It becomes clear very quickly that Cregger knows and loves the games. He’s not making a video game movie because video game movies are bankable; he’s making it because it's the movie he would want to see. Showtimes, especially in IMAX, are selling quickly. I highly recommend this film, as I did Onslaught a couple of weeks ago. We’re having a great action horror late summer. Cregger has jettisoned the glossy action of the Paul W.S. Anderson series and gone with an original story and characters, centering on a medical courier who can’t catch a break. One of the cast members from Weapons, Austin Abrams, who played Justin, the hapless drug addict, is back at the center of the film. Other cast members include Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. The hallmarks of previous adaptations have been the stylized violence, with slowmotion kicks in the air, and the perfectly attired and coiffed Milla Jovovich. No one knows where she gets those outfits and lip gloss during the zombie apocalypse. Abrams’ Bryan Hodukavich is in checkered shirts and other layered winter clothing because the setting of the film starts on a cold winter’s night, when Bryan is given
an assignment that would net him double pay but would take him to Raccoon City, Colorado. If you aren’t familiar with the games, Raccoon City is ground zero for the Umbrella Corporation’s bioweapons going monstrously out of control. Cregger is really starting from ground zero and, in a bold stroke, has made the series his. By giving the audience a relatable and ordinary character, he has given us someone that we feel an instant empathy for. He’s not some S.T.A.R.S. elite task force member; he’s a gamer who has to figure out how to shoot a weapon and does so by trial and error. Lots of errors. Bryan is basically a good dude who is just trying to survive doing a menial job, and his talent is that he will find a way no matter what. It is something that people who work low-paying jobs figure out pretty quickly; he knows how to improvise no matter what horrifying situation he gets into. Abrams is perfect for the role. He is what they used to call a “cutie patootie” with a million-watt smile, when he is not screaming and cursing at each new level of T-Virus zombie and mutated human hybrid hell that spills out in front of him, sometimes literally. You see the look of exasperation or desperation on his highly expressive face and in his eyes. There’s a still that is used for one of the promotional posters where he has a shell-shocked look of terror, in a rare moment of calm, but after a certain point, Bryan and the audience aren’t given much room to catch their breath. The movie moves quickly once the setup is established, and Bryan sprints from one horrible situation to another. It’s breathtaking filmmaking, first in an eerie, snowbound road, and then into an urban landscape blighted by roaming terrors. The story has a very ironic sense of humor and turns your cinematic expectations inward on themselves. This is the work of a writer and director who not only understands the horror genre, but the video games too. While Bryan seems merely to be surviving on beginner’s luck, it becomes clear that he is using his video game experience to his advantage, and there is a running joke throughout the film that pokes fun at the seemingly indestructible characters of the other film series/games. Bryan counts his bullets, so there is no
“infinite ammo” or “magical reloads” when the gun is out; Bryan is S.O.L. The movie is kind of like gameplay itself, as in scenes, particularly the “It’s raining zombies” sequence, where Bryan pauses before making the decision to run. The pause is the moment when the game would be giving you choices before you have to advance into a new scene. Bryan also begins to use “game mechanics” to his advantage. The cinematography by Dariusz Wolski is gorgeous. From the frosty white hellscape of the scenes in the country to the yellowtinged nightmare of the Raccoon City scenes, which fold in and out of each other, the camera movement mirrors whatever Abrams’ Bryan is looking at. Filmed for IMAX, it still has an intimate feel where you, as Bryan, peep into the abyss. Cregger is also working with a nascent horror film subgenre with Resident Evil.
It’s the unprepared/unwilling dad theme that has been used before in Train to Busan and Exit 8. Having children is a frightening prospect, and in the film, Bryan is literally confronted by his own fears. One of Cregger’s greatest talents is his ability to give his characters depth without using tedious tricks like long expositional speeches or backstories with flashbacks; he shows who they are rather than trying to lecture the audience about who the characters are. He trusts his actors to be able to bring inner life to the roles they are playing, and it pays off; because he casts and directs them so well, it works. Resident Evil is an intelligent, hilarious, nerve-racking, and emotionally compelling action horror film that doesn’t rely on sickening violence for its scares. Sometimes it shows you the aftereffects of violence, which leaves your mind free to imagine horrible things. How many times did I scream during my first watch of Resident Evil? Four times. The scares come because you care about Austin Abrams’ Bryan, and the film delivers an emotional gut punch more than once. This is the Resident Evil film that fans of the game franchise actually deserve. Even the (alleged) ones who have been relentlessly critical of it before they’ve even watched it. It stands head and shoulders above all other live-action movies in the franchise. Cregger did it. He made the best Resident Evil movie.
October 2 – October 8, 2026
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OPINION
SMa.r.t. City Council Endorsements
SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Through its weekly opinion pieces over the years, SMa.r.t. has consistently advocated for a thoughtful, measured approach to the planning and development of Santa Monica. We value conservation of resources, thoughtful design, environmental responsibility, and sensible growth. We embrace change and progress but consistently champion change that is in the best interest of the residents and businesses that have a long-term commitment to the city, and one that is mindful of limited resources, finances, and infrastructure. It is through this lens that we examined the 12 candidates for City Council and determined who we feel will best serve the health, welfare, and livability of our city. This is a complex town, with disparate factions and competing interests: from the ultra-wealthy to people living on the street; from international tourists and day-trippers to lifelong residents; from major corporations to mom-and-pop stores and small entrepreneurs. We face issues more common to much larger cities, including chronic homelessness, crime, a struggling economy, tourist decline, and persistent commercial vacancies. As such, experience and knowledge of the complexity of
City Hall, and the ability to navigate through our local political waters, were significant factors in our endorsement decision. At the same time, many of the problems facing the city have been chronic for a generation, and we feel that fresh perspectives on the intractable issues of the day also bring real value. Balancing these competing ideas led the members of SMa.r.t. to endorse three candidates who we feel will best serve the needs of the city and its residents: Lana Negrete, Ashley Oelsen, and Phil Brock.* Lana Negrete - Having served as a City Council member since 2021 and as the city’s mayor, Ms. Negrete has a deep understanding of how our city works and the challenges it faces. She is a lifelong Santa Monica resident, a renter, and small business owner whose dedication to listening to residents’ voices and supporting their positions – often in the face of an opposition majority on the dais – has made her a champion of the people. She advocates for affordable housing, not unchecked development. She pushes for cleaner and safer streets while recognizing the need for compassionate assistance for those less fortunate. She is not afraid to speak truth to power nor own up to her own mistakes. Ms. Negrete’s authenticity and candor have earned her the ardent respect and appreciation of Santa Monica residents and this group. Ashley Oelsen - Ms. Oelsen is a
relative newcomer to politics, but her dedication to the city is well established. As a conservation biologist and environmental advocate, she serves on Santa Monica’s Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment. She is the founder of The Coastal Alliance, a nonprofit that works to strengthen coastal accountability and engage the next generation in conservation. Her strong leadership qualities and willingness to stand up to political and corporate interests were well demonstrated in her recent advocacy against AB 1740 – a bill that would have drastically altered Santa Monica’s coastal zone – and against the subsequent pro-development trailer bill attempted by Governor Newsom. Ms. Oelsen’s refreshing integrity, strong independence, and commitment to the long-term health of Santa Monica are what earned her our endorsement. Phil Brock - As a former Council member and mayor of Santa Monica, a longtime Recreation and Parks Commissioner, an Arts Commissioner, and a leader in local youth charities, Mr. Brock has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to our city. He is a lifelong Santa Monica resident who has turned his passion for the city into a tireless commitment to its betterment. As Chair of the LA County DA’s Homeless Task Force, he is uniquely positioned to turn the tide on one of our most intractable challenges. In a local political climate shaped by large campaign spending and slate endorsements, Mr. Brock has
admirably chosen to run an independent campaign, leaving him beholden to no special interests if elected. With his many years of service in the city, he knows how to navigate the system as well as anyone. In this time of crossroads and crises, we need leadership that can hit the ground running and get things done. Given the chance to once again serve on Council, we believe Mr. Brock’s proven commitment and deep experience in our government will prove invaluable. [*As a longtime member of SMa.r.t., Phil Brock recused himself from discussions and voting on candidate endorsements.] No matter who you support in the upcoming election, be sure your voice is heard and vote on November 3rd. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow Dan Jansenson, Architect (former Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner); Robert H. Taylor, Architect AIA; Sam Tolkin, Architect (former Planning Commissioner); Michael Jolly ARE-CRE; Jack Hillbrand AIA, Architect; Matt Hoefler, Architect NCARB; Charles Andrews, columnist, journalist; Bruce Leddy, NOMA Co-Chair (former Human Services Commission Chair). For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/ writing
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SA N TA
MO N I C A
October 2 – October 8, 2026
CO L L E GE
CAMPUS EVENTS Photo by Amy Williams
FALL 2026 & WINTER 2027
Exciting events happening at SMC! Santa Monica College has a lively lineup of events scheduled, so mark your calendar!
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Sion Roy, Chair; Dr. Tom Peters, Vice Chair; Dr. Luis Barrera Castañón; Anastasia Foster; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Audrey Liljegren, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu
• Art Shows • Dance Performances & Master Classes • Intercollegiate Athletic Competitions • Music Concerts • Planetarium Shows • Santa Monica Review Issue Launch Party • Theatre Arts Performances • And Much More!
Visit smc.edu/events for more information.