WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2010
Volume 10 Issue 40
Santa Monica Daily Press PLEDGE A DUD SEE PAGE 6
We have you covered
THE BE CAREFUL ON THE STREETS ISSUE
Homeless man pleads not guilty to slashing face BY KEVIN HERRERA Editor in Chief
AIRPORT COURTHOUSE A homeless man
File photo
BUSTED: Santa Monica police tow the car of an alleged drunk driver during a DUI checkpoint last year.
Cops to be out in force on New Year’s Eve BY DAILY PRESS STAFF CITYWIDE When it comes to drinking and driving, the Santa Monica Police Department has a “zero tolerance” policy. Officers will be conducting a “Zero Tolerance DUI Saturation Patrol” New
Year’s Eve at various locations throughout the city, targeting those who still don’t heed the message to designate a sober driver before their celebrations begin, police said. The saturation patrol is an effort to make New Year’s Eve safer by cracking down on impaired driving and to improve traffic safety, save lives, and prevent
injuries, said Sgt. Jeff Wiles. “If you drive while impaired from alcohol and/or drugs, Santa Monica Police Department officers will be looking for you,”Wiles said.“If you are driving while impaired you will be arrested.” Funding for the patrol is provided by a SEE DUI PAGE 8
City Hall launches youth violence prevention website BY DAILY PRESS STAFF CITY HALL Santa Monica officials have launched a “youth violence prevention” portal on City Hall’s website, part of an effort to better inform the public about programs geared toward at-risk minors in Santa Monica. The website, which City Hall announced
on Tuesday, is accessible at www.santamonicayouth.net. The move comes after the City Council this year added funding to the Youth Resource Team’s budget and ordered a new policy group to begin holding meetings on violence prevention. The YRT seeks to keep youth safe and support healthy development from infancy
through adulthood through the collaborative work of the city of Santa Monica, education and non-profit agencies, neighborhood organizations, governmental partners, business, and faith communities. “We’re very excited about santamonicayouth.net and envision it as an imporSEE VIOLENCE PAGE 7
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living on the streets of Santa Monica was arraigned Tuesday after police accused him of slashing another man’s cheek in front of the McDonald’s on Second Street. Clarence Anthony Williams, 38, plead not guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of mayhem, a clerk with the Los Angeles Superior Court said. He is expected to be back in court on Jan. 12 for a preliminary hearing. He is currently being held on $1 million bail. Police said the victim, whose name was not released, was standing outside the fast food restaurant around 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 26 drinking a soda and smoking a cigarette when Williams approached him and “suddenly raised his right hand and slashed the victim’s left cheek, possibly with a box cutter,” said SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler. Williams then allegedly grabbed the victim’s right leg and dragged him roughly 15 feet, letting him go in the middle of Second Street near Colorado Avenue. While on his back, the victim tried to defend himself by kicking at Williams, who tried repeatedly to cut the victim. After roughly 20 seconds, the victim got to his feet and ran for help. Trisler said the gash in the victim’s cheek was roughly 6 inches long, running from his cheek to the back of his head. The victim, who police said was also homeless, told officers that he did not know Williams well. The two met a day earlier when the victim lit Williams’ cigarette. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers tracked down Williams at OPCC’s Access Center, the first point of entry for homeless individuals and families seeking assistance. Officers used video footage from security cameras in the area to identify Williams, Trisler said. He was arrested and booked for attempted murder, kidnapping and a probation violation. Williams was on probation for trespassing. kevinh@smdp.com
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