Santa Monica, CA (November 14, 2024) – The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is asking for the public's help in identifying potential victims of a man who allegedly exposed himself to children near the Santa Monica Pier.
According to SMPD, on September 18th, 2024, 46-year-old Benjamin Bush of Rosamond, California displayed a nude photograph of himself to three separate 9-year-old victims while outside Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Investigators believe there may have been an additional unidentified juvenile victim inside Playland Arcade who also witnessed the inappropriate behavior.
Following an investigation, Bush was arrested on October 29th, 2024, on charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful matter to a minor. While Bush has no prior criminal history, police suspect there may be other incidents involving him.
The SMPD is urging anyone with information about this case or who may have been a victim of similar behavior by Bush to contact Detective Baker (Sean.Baker@santamonica.gov), Detective Sergeant Haro (David.Haro@santamonica.gov), or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427 (24 hours a day).
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to an incident involving a semi-truck stranded over the Venice Canals on Dell Avenue. The vehicle, identified as a Freightliner, bottomed out and became immobile while attempting to cross a bridge not designed to support such weight.
A tow truck from All City Tow arrived at the scene and successfully extricated the semi-truck from the bridge. LAPD officers provided an escort as the truck reversed down Dell Avenue, while intersections at Washington Boulevard and Dell Avenue were temporarily blocked to ensure a safe exit.
According to the tow truck driver, the semi-truck operator was following GPS navigation and overlooked a posted sign indicating a weight limit of 6,000 pounds on the bridge. No citations were issued for the incident, and traffic resumed smoothly after the vehicle was removed without further complications.
Santa Monica, CA – Fans at the Santa Monica Pier were in for a double surprise Wednesday night as DJ NGHTMRE, also known as Tyler Marenyi, not only delivered an electrifying sunset set but also marked a major milestone. Celebrating 10 years of his music career, Marenyi took the opportunity to look back on a decade filled with over 1,000 shows and more than one billion streams.
Marenyi expressed his gratitude to fans on Facebook, reflecting on a decade of NGHTMRE filled with over 1,000 performances and surpassing one billion streams. He noted how quickly the time had passed and emphasized that none of these achievements would have been possible without the support of his fans.
In honor of the anniversary, NGHTMRE announced a new partnership with Icon Collective Los Angeles to launch the Hero’s Journey Scholarship, which will grant three full-ride scholarships for 2025. Aspiring music creators can find details on how to apply through the link on his social media.
The unexpected pop-up event added a festive atmosphere to the pier, where fans danced against the backdrop of a stunning California sunset, celebrating not only the artist’s achievements but also his commitment to giving back to the music community.
Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a shooting late Wednesday morning at the Smart & Final parking lot near Lincoln Boulevard and Sunset Avenue in Venice. The incident, reported around 11:30 a.m., resulted in the closure of Lincoln Boulevard between Vernon Avenue and Flower Avenue as detectives investigated.
A witness at the scene described the chaotic events: "I seen that black Lexus crashing to the steps over there, and then once it crashed, the two guys got out the car and took off running," he recounted. "A black truck pulled up right behind the car, and the passenger got out, pulled out the gun, and started shooting at the guys that were running away." The witness mentioned that one of the men was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital, adding, "The guys in the truck started walking around the parking lot trying to find him, but when they couldn’t, they left."
As reported by *Westside Current*, the shooting may have stemmed from a traffic collision between a black truck and an Infiniti. Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound, while two males and one female were detained at the scene. Their involvement in the incident is under investigation, with no further details or potential motives released by LAPD at this time.
The incident also affected local schools. According to *Westside Current*, a parent said the school was on lockdown for about twenty minutes. The parent shared their frustration, noting the helplessness and anger that comes with children experiencing such situations. They commended the school's swift response but criticized the growing, unchecked crime and violence in the community.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to search for answers in this developing story.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Santa Monica Closeup's photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz spoke with Jennifer Train, a long-time local of Venice Beach who shared her remarkable life story from within her encampment.
Jennifer, originally from Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, recounted her childhood with warmth. “I had a great childhood,” she said, adding that she pursued higher education at the University of Arizona. “I’m a Wildcat, class of ’93,” she noted with pride. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Arts, emphasizing scenic design, a field in which she found her creative passion.
Jennifer’s artistic pursuits led her to work as an art director in Los Angeles. “I did an Aimee Mann video,” she recalled, referring to the music video for *Voices Carry*. Reflecting on her time in the industry, she said, “It was a very toxic environment. We weren’t doing brain surgery, but the pressure was immense.” One of her last major projects was for the cult film *Leprechaun 6: In the Hood*, which she worked on as a set dresser in downtown Los Angeles.
Beyond her work in film, Jennifer has lived an extraordinary life filled with creative endeavors. “I’m an artist, a poet, a musician, and a singer,” she shared. In her younger years, Jennifer was also a skilled skateboarder who once went pro, touring with the Phoenix Vans team at just 15. “Tony Hawk and I have a history,” she revealed, reminiscing about her time with the legendary Dogtown skaters.
Despite her many accomplishments, Jennifer’s life has been marked by significant challenges. Now, she is candid about her current circumstances, living at Venice Beach and coping with health issues. “I’m HIV positive,” she said, while emphasizing the care she receives from local clinics. “If I take my medication every day, it keeps the virus non-detectable.”
Jennifer shared a glimmer of hope for the future. “I got a house offered to me last night,” she said, with excitement in her voice. The opportunity to live in a house in Venice Beach with a local family marks a pivotal moment in her journey. “I’ll be packing up and moving in today,” she said, determined to make the most of the opportunity.
Her story is a testament to resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. As she prepares to transition from the Boardwalk to a more stable environment, Jennifer remains optimistic. “I’m getting off the Boardwalk today. I’m ready for what’s next.”
Santa Monica Closeup's latest video takes you on a serene bike cruise along the shoreline, framed by tonight’s breathtaking sunset. Experience the warmth of the sky and the rhythmic waves in this peaceful ride captured by SMCU’s own photojournalist. Don’t miss the glow of the day’s end on Santa Monica Beach. #SantaMonica#SunsetVibes#beachlife
On a sunlit Tuesday afternoon, Venice Beach's iconic boardwalk saw a unique moment of heroics and fatherhood as Spider-Man, known on Instagram as @qiojo, strolled along with his 7-month-old son securely in tow. The duo added a touch of superhero charm to the bustling boardwalk under the glow of the November sunset, bringing smiles to passersby. A true testament to balancing daily life and hero duties, right in the heart of Venice. #VeniceBeach#Fatherhood#SuperDad#SpiderManSighting
