Santa Monica Police Arrest Woman on Suspicion of Public Intoxication at Muscle Beach

Santa Monica Police Department’s Directed Action Response Team (DART) officers arrested a woman suspected to be homeless on suspicion of public intoxication at Muscle Beach. The woman was reportedly found near an empty vodka bottle, raising concerns over her level of intoxication. Following her arrest, officers gathered her belongings and transported her to jail for booking. The charge of public intoxication in California, classified as a misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 647(f), also known as “drunk in public,” can carry a penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 upon conviction. Under this law, individuals found in public under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in a condition unable to ensure their own or others’ safety, may be subject to arrest. The incident underscores ongoing challenges with public intoxication in community spaces, where authorities continue to enforce measures to protect public safety.