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September 26, 2025 October 2, January 29 - -February 4, 2025 2026 Volume Volume CXXIII CXXIII Issue Issue 214 214
Santa MonicainCouncil KeepsStolen Disabilities Thousands Equipment From Commission as Independent Filmmaker’s Santa MonicaBody Home Staff had Known for his work recommended across cinematography, consolidating the directing, and editing, Ruiz-Healy returned three commissions home find his house into atosingle Housing occupied by squatters and Human Services Commission with seven members to streamline operations
Indie filmmaker and award-winning cinematographer Fidel Ruiz-Healy is recovering from a devastating home robbery that left his Santa Monica residence uninhabitable and stripped of nearly all his professional equipment. Ruiz-Healy, known for his work across cinematography, directing,City and Council editing, The Santa Monica returned home on Sept. 16 from a work trip has decided to retain the Disabilities to find his house and reportedly Commission as ransacked an independent body, occupied by squatters. According to ita rejecting a staff proposal to merge GoFundMe campaign launched by friends with the Housing and Human Services and collaborators, “every single crevice” of commissions. theThe home had been turned over. aAlongside decision came during Jan. 13 trash and discarded weapons left behind, meeting as part of a five-year review of the extensive damage was done to task the city's 20 boards, commissions and one plumbing, including cut wires, rendering force aimed at improving efficiency and the home administrative unlivable. reducing costs. Most concerning for theconsolidating filmmaker is the Staff had recommended the loss of virtually all of his camera three commissions into a singleequipment Housing — tools that form the backbone ofwith his andtheHuman Services Commission career and sole source of income. The theft seven members to streamline operations included high-end gear such as a RED and align with departmental structures. Dragon camera package, Leica R and The council also approved converting Nikon AIS lenses, tripods, lighting meters, the Urban Forest Task Force into a formal hard drives, and a MacBook Pro. Several commission, reducing membership on the Arts Commission and Public Safety Reform and Oversight Commission, and making other administrative changes.
items belonging to colleagues that RuizHealy was storing were also among the stolen equipment. Compounding the loss, insurance coverage on the equipment had lapsed just weeks earlier, on August 30. Ruiz-Healy, who has since found temporary housing, is still taking on film work, but friends say the loss of equipment presents a serious barrier to his livelihood. “Any filmmaker understands that your
equipment is everything. Therefore, this situation requires immediate attention,” organizers wrote on the fundraiser page. As of Friday, more than $20,000 has been raised through over 250 donations on GoFundMe, putting the campaign within reach of its $22,000 goal. Supporters have continued to share the fundraiser, highlighting Ruiz-Healy’s reputation as a generous collaborator and “an all-around great guy.”
Santa Monica police have assigned a detective to the case, and neighbors have been alerted to report any leads. Organizers shared photos of the aftermath to show the scale of the damage and say they are continuing to adjust the fundraising goal to account for the full cost of replacing equipment and essential items. Those wishing to contribute can visit the GoFundMe page titled “Help Indie Film Legend After Home Robbery.”
SMPD Arrest Man with Drugs, Loaded Gun After Santa Traffic Monica Stop Police recover Additional measures include shortening reappointment waiting periods, revising
absence policies and eliminating council liaisons to advisory bodies.
unregistered firearms during separate traffic stops
Suspect Flees Briefly Before Police Recover Cocaine, Mushrooms, and Marijuana Arrests were made
on weapons charges after officers seized loaded guns.
A traffic stop in Santa Monica led to the arrest of a man found with a loaded handgun and a significant quantity of drugs, police said Thursday. Santa Monica Police Department officers, patrolling the 00 block of Bay Street Santa around Monica 9:40 police p.m. officersWednesday, recovered observed a parked vehicle withtraffic the driver’s two firearms during separate stops door open. The driverresulting was seeninhandling conducted recently, arrests suspected drug paraphernalia, according to on multiple weapons-related charges, aauthorities police statement. said.
When officers approached and attempted to detain the man, he became uncooperative and repeatedly reached toward the center console, police said. A brief struggle followed before the suspect fled on foot. Officers apprehended him a short distance In both cases, officers arrested the away. suspects on suspicion carrying a loadeda A search of the of vehicle revealed firearm in a vehicle on a public street, loaded handgun positioned between the a violation of California Penal Code driver’s seat and center console, within the 25850(a). Police also cited violations suspect’s also recovered of Penal reach. Code Authorities 32310, which prohibits apossession significantof amount of cocaine, psilocybin high-capacity ammunition mushrooms, and marijuana. magazines. The suspect, not Officials saidwhose the identity firearmswaswere released, remains in custody pending unregistered and seized during routine further investigation, police said. were No enforcement activity. No injuries additional details were immediately reported in connection with the incidents, available. and investigators did not immediately
release additional details about the suspects or locations of the stops. Police officials said removing illegal weapons from circulation helps reduce the potential for violence and enhances public safety. The Santa Monica Police Department encouraged residents to report suspicious activity. Emergencies should be reported by calling 911, while non-emergency concerns can be directed to the department’s dispatch line at 310-458-8491.
Changes will take effect July 1, 2026, pending ordinance updates.