S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
INSIDE ‘ANNIE LIVE!’ ELECTS SANTA MONICA RESIDENT ALAN TOY AS PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
PAGE 6
November 19 – November 25, 2021 Volume CXIV, Issue 119
Second Santa Monica Hit and Run in Recent Weeks Leaves One Dead Santa Monica police seek suspects in connection to two separate incidents BY SAM CATANZARO A hit and run in Santa Monica over the weekend left one person dead, the second such incident the city has seen in recent weeks. According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on November 13 around 8 p.m. officers responded to a fatal hit and run traffic collision at 10th Street and Pico Boulevard. Investigators learned that a male pedestrian was crossing the street when he was struck by a vehicle which immediately fled the scene. A second vehicle then hit the victim when he was down on the roadway. That vehicle stopped to assist, and the driver has cooperated with investigators. The unidentified male victim believed to
be in his 50s was pronounced dead on the scene by Santa Monica Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner could not immediately be reached for further information about the victim. According to the SMPD, the suspect vehicle is possibly a white Dodge Challenger, or similar make-model, with red racing stripes over the hood. The vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on Pico Boulevard after the collision The SMPD does not have any available pictures or videos to share of the vehicle currently. The SMPD is also attempting to identify the driver and vehicle involved in another hit and run incident that occurred on October 31 around 12:57 a.m. at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and 3rd Street. According to the SMPD, the vehicle struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk causing serious bodily injury to the victim before fleeing. “The vehicle is believed to be an Infiniti G-series sedan, white in color, with no front plate and major damage to the windshield on the passenger’s side from this collision,”
Photo: SMPD
An Infiniti wanted for a recent Santa Monica hit and run.
the SMPD said of the vehicle. SMPD
investigators
are
searching
for any information that will assist in
identifying the drivers in both of these
incidents. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact Investigator Evan
Raleigh
at
310-458-8954
evan.raleigh@santamonica.gov.
or
Settlement Reached in Police Union Lawsuit Against the City of Santa Monica Santa Monica Police Officers Association settles with City BY DOLORES QUINTANA
The Santa Monica Police Officers Association (SMPOA) recently settled their charges against the City of Santa Monica related to a recently created Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission. Their charges were filed with the Public Employment Relations Board. After a unanimous City Council vote of six to zero, these demands will become part of the Commission’s structure. This settlement has agreed that a twelfth, non voting member will be added to the Commission who the SMPOA and the Police Chief of Santa Monica will choose, but who cannot be a member of the Santa Monica Police Department or a
City official. The settlement places restrictions on the participation of the Inspector General who oversees the Commission’s work. The City budget will provide for the services of the Inspector General, but the IG can gather information about police disciplinary investigations, but cannot take part in the investigations themselves. The IG will not be allowed to release police personnel or disciplinary records to the Commission or any other parties unless when the disclosure is supported or required by federal or state laws. The City Council previously voted to employ the OIR Group to act as the Commission’s IG after they investigated and provided the Council with a report on the civil unrest in May 31, 2020 and the SMPD’s response to it. The Council voted to approve a $700,000 dollar contract for five years with OIR to serve as the
Police Union, see page 4
Santa Monica police officers during 2019 search for a bank robber.
Photo: Sam Catanzaro