Santa Monica, CA - Santa Monica Police Officers arrested a woman, who appeared to be homeless, at Palisades Park on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The woman, who had been sitting on a park bench, approached a Downtown Ambassador, stating she was unwell and needed assistance.
When asked by the Ambassador what was wrong, the woman was unable to provide a clear answer. Concerned for her welfare, the Ambassador contacted his supervisor, who arrived shortly afterward and decided to involve the Santa Monica Police Department due to their collaboration with Los Angeles Public Health Clinicians.
Upon arrival, officers engaged in conversation with the woman and requested a mental health clinician to evaluate her. During the interaction, officers conducted a routine check and discovered the woman had a no-bail warrant for her arrest. Consequently, the officers collected her belongings and took her into custody.
The incident comes shortly after the City rolled out its latest tool in addressing mental health issues—the Therapeutic Transportation teams. These mobile mental health units are designed to assist individuals in Santa Monica suffering from mental health-related trauma.
These teams, which will eventually be on call 24 hours a day, are deployed by the City's dispatch center to alleviate some of the pressure currently placed on local emergency services. They are equipped to perform psychiatric transports to urgent mental healthcare facilities or hospitals and can impose 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization if a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others.
The arrested woman will undergo further evaluation at the police station and may be transferred to a hospital if necessary. The case underscores the city's ongoing efforts to address the complex mental health needs within the community, especially among the homeless population.
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