AMENDMENT TO SMCC 4.08.780
Santa Monica Police Department
Lt. Paschal
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SUMMARY
Concerns are rising about violence at public events, particularly in the Los Angeles area, where violent clashes often occur between opposing views during protests, demonstrations, and rallies.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
The Police Department recommends expanding the list of
prohibited items at public assemblies and community events to improve public safety and reduce the risk of violence.
This builds upon previous emergency actions by including specific items that have been misused during public
demonstrations.
These additions are based on direct observation,
intelligence reports, and videos of recent protests, among other sources of information.
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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE
RECOMMENDED FOR ADDITION TO THE
PROHIBITED ITEMS LIST SPECIFIED IN
SMMC 4.08.780:
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LEAF BLOWERS
(ELECTRIC AND
GAS) Used to mitigate the effectiveness of
chemical agents by dispersing the
smoke away from the crowd and
redirecting it towards law
enforcement officers. During the recent No Kings protest in Los Angeles, an attendee was asked
why she was carrying a leaf blower.
She replied that she intended to
"blow it back at those [expletive]."
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TRAFFIC CONES
AND A-FRAME
SIGNS
Agitators can misuse traffic cones
and A-frames (also known as
sandwich board signs) in various
ways. They can redirect crowds
and traffic, block emergency lanes,
facilitate street takeovers,
extinguish chemical agent devices,
mitigate the impact of long-range
munitions, and otherwise hinder
public safety and emergency
response operations. By recognizing traffic cones and Aframes as potential hazards under the code, we are better prepared
to inquire about their presence in
sensitive environments.
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HAMMERS, MALLETS, AND SIMILAR TOOLS
These tools have been used not only to
directly damage property but also to
break apart concrete, cinder blocks, and
other hard materials creating projectiles
for vandalism and violent assaults.
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FROZEN WATER BOTTLES
Frozen water bottles, unlike their liquid counterparts, can serve as improvised weapons. When frozen, they
acquire the density and impact potential of a rock or
brick. They have been used in other cities to strike
officers, damage property, and escalate tensions. Before the No Kings event in Santa Monica, police were alerted to the presence of several frozen water bottles in the area surrounding the event. Including frozen water bottles in the code enables officers to address potential safety concerns proactively before violence occurs. The objective is not to target
hydration, but rather to allow practical evaluations based on intent and behavior. We emphasize issuing warnings and encouraging voluntary compliance before taking any enforcement action.
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BICYCLE HELMETS
Bicycle helmets are generally protective and harmless. However, they have unfortunately been used during protests to hide identities and encourage confrontational behavior with law enforcement or other protestors. In some areas, individuals wearing helmets have adopted them as part of a tactical uniform to incite violence or resist lawful dispersal orders. Additionally, helmets can be employed to headbutt others or to provide protection from less-lethal
munitions during unlawful assemblies. Our reason for including helmets in the code is not to criminalize their simple possession but to give officers the discretion and legal authority to engage in a
conversation when the context suggests that the helmet is being used for something other than legitimate personal safety.
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CONCLUSION
The addition of the above items reflects an evidence-based strategy to address known threats and aligns with similar measures implemented by other jurisdictions in California. By including these items in the code, we do not criminalize protests. Rather, we empower our officers to prevent the weaponization of everyday objects without infringing on peaceful expression. The municipal code merely provides a structure for intervention, when necessary.. These restrictions are specifically aimed at banning items that have no lawful use during a peaceful assembly and are known to increase tensions and contribute to violence. It does not represent a blanket enforcement tool, but rather a measured option to prevent escalation and ensure lawful behavior.
By including these items in the code, we do not criminalize protests. Rather, we empower our officers to prevent the weaponization of everyday objects without infringing on peaceful exp By including these items in the code, we do not criminalize protests. Rather, we empower our officers to prevent the weaponization of everyday objects without infringing on peaceful e Item 10-A
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