City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 22, 2023
Agenda Item: 10.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ramon Batista, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Adding Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 3.29 to Prohibit the Open Carry of Knives, Daggers, and Swords in Public Areas
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the proposed ordinance is categorically exempt under Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines.
2. Introduce for first reading an ordinance adding Chapter 3.29 to the Santa Monica Municipal Code establishing regulations prohibiting the open carry of knives, daggers, and swords in public areas.
Executive Summary
In order to ensure safety and security in public spaces, the Santa Monica Police Department, in conjunction with the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office, is proposing an ordinance to prohibit the open carry of certain knives, daggers, sharpened sticks, and swords in public, with only a few limited exceptions. This ordinance would strengthen existing state law prohibiting concealed carry of these edged weapons in public by extending the protections to prohibit carrying large-blade knives, daggers, and swords openly.
Discussion
Across the nation, aggravated assaults, and other serious crimes where an edged weapon is used have increased in the past several years and caused concern for public 2 of 3
safety in the City of Santa Monica. In 2020, there were 52 reported aggravated assaults in which a knife was used. In 2021, the number rose to 71 and increased again in 2022 to 75. Similarly, robberies with a knife as the weapon numbered 20 in 2021 and then rose to 38 in 2022. There are many factors that have contributed to the increase in the use of edged weapons, including the ease of obtaining them by individuals of all ages.
Currently under California law, a police officer who encounters an individual in possession of an openly carried edged weapon may only advise the individual of the safety concerns for other members of the public, except in the cases where there is evidence of criminal activity.
The absence of any City, State, or Federal legislation addressing the open display or carrying of fixed blade knives, daggers, swords, sharpened sticks, and other edged weapons, creates challenges for law enforcement in preventing violent crimes that may harm residents and visitors to Santa Monica. Additionally, the open display of these weapons can be detrimental to members of the public using the city’s public spaces.
Due to the increasing frequency and resulting challenges in addressing this type of crime, the City would benefit from this ordinance for multiple reasons, including, but not limited to: (1) deterring the open use of edged weapons in public, enhancing public safety and comfort throughout the city, (2) giving law enforcement a valuable tool to immediately seize edged or pointed weapons that may be used to commit a violent crime, and (3) reducing Part I crimes, specifically aggravated assaults. statistics which have been negatively impacted by aggravated assaults.
This ordinance will provide the Santa Monica Police Department with clearly established legal authority to protect the public and enhance the ability to deter violent criminal activity. Over time, the ordinance is expected to reduce the number of armed assaults in public spaces within the City of Santa Monica.
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Environmental Review
The proposed ordinance is categorically exempt from the provisions of the CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines (common sense exemption). Based on the evidence in the record, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no further environmental review under CEQA is required.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Erika Aklufi, Sergeant
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Attachment A - City of Santa Monica Knife Assault Statistics B. Attachment B - Ordinance Prohibiting Open Carry of Knives Daggers Swords 080823 (002)