SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, May 28, 2026 — The Santa Monica Police Department officially opened its new Downtown Substation at Santa Monica Place during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city officials, police personnel, business leaders, downtown stakeholders, and community members. Located at 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 122, the new facility will serve as a public safety command center and community engagement hub, supporting faster coordination with downtown partners, enhanced foot and bike patrol deployment, and direct access for residents, visitors, and businesses. The substation will serve the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Pier, and surrounding transit and pedestrian corridors. Speaking during the ceremony, Police Chief Darrick Jacob said the project is part of the city's ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and support downtown revitalization. "We're bringing the police to the place where our business owners need it, where our residents shop, and where our visitors come right here in Santa Monica," Jacob said. He described the opening as a visible sign of what city leaders have called a "rebirth" and "renaissance" for Santa Monica's downtown district. Jacob credited the City Council, city staff, Santa Monica Place, and downtown stakeholders for helping bring the project to fruition. He also recognized the work of the department's officers, Public Services Officers, Community Service Officers, communications personnel, and other staff who support public safety efforts throughout the city. Mayor Caroline Torosis praised the new substation and its role in supporting economic recovery and public safety in Downtown Santa Monica. "If we are going to have economic recovery that works for all of us, we absolutely have to have a presence downtown," Torosis said. She added that the facility demonstrates the city's commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for businesses, residents, and visitors. Torosis described the substation as a "force multiplier" for the downtown area and expressed support for increased police visibility as part of the city's ongoing revitalization efforts. Following the ribbon cutting, Chief Jacob explained that officers assigned to the downtown area will be able to work directly from the substation rather than returning to police headquarters to complete reports, allowing for greater efficiency and a more visible police presence. He said the facility will support rapid responses to incidents, including retail thefts and other quality-of-life concerns, while helping reduce the fear of crime that can discourage people from visiting downtown. The Downtown Substation serves as the operational home of SMPD's Downtown Services Unit and is intended to provide a visible and accessible location for officers, public safety personnel, residents, visitors, and business partners in the heart of Santa Monica's downtown corridor. According to the department, the facility supports the city's broader Realignment Plan, which focuses on four public safety priorities: crime suppression, homelessness response, traffic safety, and community and youth engagement. In a statement released following the ceremony, Chief Jacob said the substation represents "presence, partnership, and accountability," adding that it gives officers and public safety personnel a stronger foothold in one of the city's busiest districts while providing another place for community members to connect directly with the department. The department said the project was made possible through collaboration with PRISM Places, DTSM, Inc., city leadership, and community partners. The Downtown Substation is open daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and community members are encouraged to stop by, meet department personnel, and learn more about SMPD's ongoing work downtown. Attendees at the event were also able to view department assets, including police bicycles and drone technology used to support daily operations. Santa Monica Closeup will continue documenting public safety initiatives and developments impacting Downtown Santa Monica.
According to authorities, the operation followed a wave of public complaints and reports of serious accidents involving high-speed e-bikes in the beach area. Sur-Ron-style electric motorcycles, while sometimes mistaken for standard e-bikes, do not meet California’s legal definition of a street-legal electric bicycle. These off-road vehicles often exceed power outputs of 3,000 watts and can reach speeds above 40 miles per hour. In most cases, they also lack operable pedals, disqualifying them from being registered as Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bikes under state law.
In California, legal electric bicycles must be equipped with functioning pedals and powered by an electric motor of no more than 750 watts. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are limited to speeds of 20 miles per hour, with Class 2 models allowing throttle-assisted propulsion. Class 3 e-bikes permit pedal-assisted speeds up to 28 miles per hour and require helmets for riders under 18, along with other safety provisions. Sur-Ron models, by contrast, are designed exclusively for off-highway use and fall under the category of electric dirt bikes. They are neither eligible for registration as street vehicles nor protected by bicycle exemptions, making their operation on public roads, bike paths, or sidewalks illegal.
The seized vehicles can be recovered by their owners upon proof of ownership and payment of towing and storage fees. Police say enforcement efforts will continue as part of a broader push to address unsafe and unregulated e-bike use on the beach and in other public areas.
