Tag: Fourth of July

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, July 2, the city of Santa Monica reported that the Police Department’s holiday deployment plan is in full effect.

In anticipation of a greater number of visitors and events, SMPD is deploying additional officers throughout the city. The SMPD wants to make sure residents and visitors alike can feel comfortable relaxing in the sand and enjoying our awesome ocean views.

A combination of the Directed Action Response Team (DaRT), Homeless Liaison Program (HLP) Team, Traffic, Public Service Officers, and Patrol Officers, in addition to the Downtown Services Unit have been deployed to assist in ensuring a safe holiday weekend.

Safety Tips for the Weekend

• Keep personal belongings secure and in sight. Lock vehicles and secure homes, especially when away.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity.

List of Items Prohibited on the Beach

-Fireworks: Fireworks are illegal citywide (including those marked safe & sane). If you are found in possession of fireworks you will be cited or arrested.

-Alcohol: Alcohol consumption is not allowed on the beach.

-Gas-powered generators

-Amplified music or instruments: Keep it courteous for fellow beachgoers.

-Open flames.

-Firearms or other weapons

Important Note Regarding Pets

• Unleashed dogs are prohibited. Leashed dogs are allowed on the boardwalk/paved pedestrian path, but not the sand or in the water.
• With summer heat, the pavement can get very hot, burning your dog’s paws.
• Leaving a pet in a hot car is dangerous and illegal. Owners who violate these rules will be cited or arrested, and the car may be forced open to remove the animal.

DUI Prevention

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a significant threat to everyone on the road. SMPD motor officers will be conducting safety-focused operations throughout the weekend. We strongly encourage everyone to plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging alternative transportation such as rideshare services. Let’s work together to prevent tragedies and make this holiday a safe one for all.

As we celebrate Independence Day, the Santa Monica Police Department remains dedicated to the safety and well-being of everyone in our community. We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday.  For emergencies, please dial 911. For non-emergencies, contact our dispatch center at 310-458-8491.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, July 2, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced in a media release that they are alerting drivers to plan ahead if they are planning to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday by drinking.

The BHPD reported that in 2022, 487 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July holiday period. Of those fatal crashes, 40 percent involved alcohol. In California, 68 people were killed in crashes during the 2023 Independence Day holiday period. In addition, California Highway Patrol officers made nearly 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence – an average of one DUI arrest every five minutes.

“Choosing a sober driver is not just about following the law; it’s about saving lives,” said BH Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “If you plan on celebrating the Fourth of July with a drink, we want you to make a plan to go safely with a sober ride home. Think of your loved ones, friends, and family before getting behind the wheel.”

Driving under the influence includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and marijuana. The BHPD is alerting the public who may be hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If they see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home. Anyone who sees an impaired driver or witnesses someone driving recklessly should contact 9-1-1.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Thursday, July 4, enjoy an evening of fireworks and music at Palisades Charter High School located at 5777 Bowdoin Street.

Advance purchase tickets are required for entry to the music and fireworks show. All sales will be made via the online ticketing platform at the links included on the website. There will not be any ticket sales at the gates, which will open at 6 p.m. There will be food trucks on the upper deck and music by DJ Lee Dyson of Hey Mister DJ.

Online advance purchase tickets are required for all attendees, including children. Ticket QR codes (on phones or printouts) will be scanned at the entrance for each attendee, including children under six with free tickets.

The Pacific Palisades Fireworks Spectacular is at 9 p.m. Entry gates will close at 8:45 p.m. (for fire safety reasons.) Any ticket holders arriving after the gates close will not be admitted and no refunds will be given.

The annual fireworks pageant at Pali High begins at 9 p.m. will be presented by world famous Pyro Spectaculars. Attendees must be scanned into the stadium before the gates close at 8:45 p.m.

The following items will not be permitted, so should be left at home. Anyone arriving with such items will be required to take them home or leave them outside, at their own risk. No chairs with stick legs. No large bags or coolers. No food. No beverages. No silly string. No poppers. No dangerous items. No bicycles or skateboards. No pets.

Late entry will not be permitted, even for ticket holders, so attendees are asked to arrive early. No refunds will be given for those unable to use their tickets due to delayed arrival precluding entry, such as for trying to attend with pets and/or other prohibited items, including chairs with stick legs (as noted above and in our FAQs).

All these events are organized, paid for and put on by PAPA, a non-profit, thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors and volunteers.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) is reminding the public that fireworks are illegal in Los Angeles County except for professionally operated, permitted displays, as the public gets ready to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

The possession or use of illegal fireworks in Los Angeles County can result in fines up to $1,000 and up to a year in prison. The LACOFD provides a list of public fireworks displays in the County at https://fire.lacounty.gov/fireworks-safety-and-july-4th-celebration-information.

As of June 22, the LA County Fire Department reports that no professional fireworks displays permits have been issued for July 4, 2023.

Malibu City Hall, the Senior Center and the Community Swimming Pool will be closed for the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4. City parks will be open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Alcohol, open flames and fireworks are prohibited. For more details on city parks and facilities, visit the Community Services webpage.

Malibu is expecting large numbers of visitors, especially on weekends, and “the city is working with partner agencies and putting out public messaging to help keep Pacific Coast Highway, (PCH), canyon roads, beaches and trails safe and clean for all to enjoy,” as stated on the city’s website.

“We urge all visitors who come to enjoy Malibu’s natural beauty to help keep our roads and beaches safe and clean and honor our efforts to protect our community’s safety, peace and quality of life,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein.

The city encourages residents and visitors to help keep PCH, canyon roads, beaches and trails safe and clean with these messages on social media, with the hashtag #SafeSummerMalibu:

-Don’t drink and drive – designate sober drivers and use rideshares or taxis.

-Keep your eyes on the road – don’t text and drive.

-Slow down and watch for pedestrians and cyclists on PCH and cars pulling in and out of beach parking.

-Pack it in, pack it out – dispose of your trash in trash containers, and if you see litter, please pick it up and throw it away in a trash container.

-Alcohol, dogs and fires are prohibited on beaches in Malibu.

Malibu coordinates every year with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, California State Parks, Mountains and Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to prepare for summer crowds.

The city funds the LASD Beach Team every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach patrols are an important way to address alcohol consumption on the beaches, which is illegal, and contributes to drunk driving on PCH and canyon roads. Extra traffic officers are also in place to address safety issues on the road.

The MRCA double patrols in its parks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. State Parks will have seven-day coverage and will put extra effort into addressing litter. Beaches and Harbors will increase staffing to assist with parking, maintenance, and trash on the beaches and beach parking lots.

Every summer, Malibu requests additional patrols by LASD and the Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). The VOPs are crucial for parking enforcement to ensure beach access and keep the roadways safe, they monitor and report crime and emergencies, and they help direct traffic and ensure safety at accident sites.

Residents can request assistance from CHP with street racing by calling 323-259-3200. Report suspected intoxicated drivers by calling 9-1-1. Residents may sign up for the City’s emergency and traffic alerts (scroll down to “Alert Center”).

In an effort to streamline its emergency communications processes, and in light of the abundance of traffic news and information readily available to the public, Malibu will be providing traffic alerts only during business hours for full road closures (not lane closures); in case of emergencies; or in case of planned or extended closures (such as road or utility projects).

The city will discontinue the Nixle alerting service, which is redundant since Nixle was bought by Everbridge, the system that Malibu uses for disaster notifications. All Nixle subscribers have been merged into the Everbridge system, and will still receive alerts from the City. Eliminating the Nixle system will decrease the time and number of steps it takes to put out emergency messaging.

Malibu will continue to use the website alert system for lower-level emergencies, traffic incidents, utility advisories, and beach advisories by text and email to subscribers when necessary. To sign up for website alerts, or add or remove alert subscriptions, visit the webpage and scroll to “Alert Center.”

For more details about Malibu’s alerting systems, and to sign up, visit the city’s website.