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Volume 9 Issue 40
Santa Monica Daily Press POSING A MORE SERIOUS THREAT SEE PAGE 4
We have you covered
THE STUPID VANDALS ISSUE
Police using Crime Stoppers BY DAILY PRESS STAFF PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY Witnesses to a crime who are too scared to come forward can now do so without fear by making an anonymous tip. The Santa Monica Police Department has joined with 24 other local law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County to participate in Crime Stoppers, a program in which witnesses can provide information on crimes they may have seen or have knowledge of without giving personal information. Crime Stoppers, which is run by a nonprofit of the same name, helps law enforcement agencies investigate crimes by sharing information across jurisdictions, creating a strong network that enables a virtual free flow of information, all while maintaining a witness’ anonymity. Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards for information leading to an arrest. The SMPD also uses We-Tip, a similar hotline that allows witnesses to leave tips anonymously. We-Tip can be reached at (800)78-CRIME (800-78-27463). Crime Stoppers can be reached at (800) 222-TIPS. People can leave text messages also, or can visit the Crime Stoppers Web site at www.lacrimestoppers.com. news@smdp.com
Obama vows to thwart terrorists PHILIP ELLIOTT Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU President Barack Obama on Monday vowed to use “every element of our national power” to keep Americans safe and said the failed Christmas Day plot to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner was “a serious reminder” of the need to continually adapt security measures against changing terrorist threats. But even as Obama spoke, came word that a State Department warning had failed SEE TERROR PAGE 9
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WHAT A WASTE OF PAINT: Ray Nelson wipes off graffiti from his 1979 Chevrolet truck on the corner of Pier Avenue and 18th Street on Monday morning. Several cars were hit by vandals, who are believed to be from a Venice gang, police said.
Gang graffiti stuns quiet neighborhood BY NICK TABOREK Daily Press Staff Writer
SUNSET PARK Residents of a quiet block here were shocked Monday morning to discover 11 vehicles and several fences and signs covered with graffiti that police said was likely the work of a Venice gang. The vandals apparently targeted the 1700 block of Pier Avenue, leaving police and residents of the normally peaceful neighborhood confused about a possible motive. The vandals burglarized one car and attempted to burglarize another during the incident, which occurred late Sunday night or early Monday, police said. There were no witnesses to the crimes and no one has been arrested. “It’s the first time anything like this has happened around here,” said Daren
Hiltunen, who on Monday was trying to paint over the name of a gang that had been scrawled on his property’s fence. “If it’s gang related it’s stupid because nobody in this neighborhood or street is in a gang,” said a woman who lives on Pier Avenue and who asked not to be named because her property was vandalized. Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: “It’s a nice, nice neighborhood, really quiet.” Members of the Santa Monica Police Department’s graffiti abatement team were sent to document the vandalism on Monday but police did not release an estimate of the total damages. Several residents, though, said they were able clean the paint off their cars at an auto detailing business. “The biggest thing is trying to figure why that block,” said Sgt. Jay Trisler, an
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SMPD spokesman. “It’s common for gang members or crews to tag areas but this one I can’t put my finger on.” While it appeared the car burglary was related to the vandalism, Trisler said the extent of graffiti on the block showed burglary was not the only motive. “This is something different. This is something malicious,” Trisler said. He said the investigation is ongoing and will involve cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department. He said nothing so far indicates that a gang member has moved into the Sunset Park neighborhood or that the incident was targeted at a single person or residence on the block. Police did not say what had been taken from the burglarized car. SEE VANDALISM PAGE 8