𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗭𝗢𝗡𝗘: Santa Monica Police Chief and Officers Prepare for Changes as Open-Container Policy Approaches

SANTA MONICA, CA — Tuesday, May 20, 2025 — Shortly after participating in the city’s “Coffee with a Cop” community outreach event, Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista led a walking tour through the Third Street Promenade with fellow officers and local photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz of Santa Monica Closeup. The informal inspection came amid ongoing public debate over the city’s newly approved “Entertainment Zone” open-container policy set to begin in June. While walking the Promenade, Chief Batista spoke candidly about concerns tied to the upcoming open-air alcohol program and the department’s readiness to manage its implementation. He emphasized that the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is working closely with city staff and the City Attorney’s Office to ensure all rules and safeguards are enforced effectively. Increased patrol presence, especially during key hours Friday through Sunday, will be part of the response plan. The chief noted that while the official entertainment zone will operate from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., SMPD’s targeted enforcement focus will be during business hours when outdoor consumption is expected to peak — roughly from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additional measures include the installation of new surveillance infrastructure and the launch of a real-time crime and information center, anticipated to be operational by late summer or early fall. The department views these upgrades as essential to improving response capabilities in downtown Santa Monica. Chief Batista also addressed broader public safety and staffing issues. He confirmed that five additional officers are being onboarded, two of whom will be assigned specifically to traffic enforcement. These roles are part of a strategic initiative to curb traffic-related incidents and maintain high-visibility policing. Staffing levels, Batista reported, are at an all-time high, with 232 sworn officers currently serving — and room to grow. Recruitment is strong, and SMPD recently pinned four new officers, with 11 more currently in the academy pipeline. The department is also rolling out a new recruitment website and developing a podcast, Studio 66, as part of its strategic communications plan. Underlying all efforts, Batista said, is the department’s long-term roadmap leading up to the 2028 Olympics. The SMPD’s strategic plan focuses on four pillars: crime and public safety, officer wellness and resilience, advanced technology integration, and strengthened community relationships. While some residents and business owners have expressed concern that the new open-container ordinance could exacerbate issues such as crime and homelessness, the department appears committed to a proactive and responsive enforcement strategy aimed at preserving safety and restoring public confidence in the Promenade.