> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mall cop on top of it - URL: https://www.smdp.com/mall-cop-on-top-of-it/ - Published: 2001-12-12T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-22T22:31:12.000Z - Author: Carolyn Sackariason - Tags: Crime, Promenade, #archive-import, Homeless *Mall business owners being heard by police* The Promenade’s new top cop has vowed to clean up the mall, but that doesn’t mean the homeless will be swept up in the effort. That’s much to the chagrin of mall merchants who told city officials in October that they are losing business because the homeless and runaways are sleeping on benches and doorways, as well as urinating and defecating next to buildings. But there is only so much the Santa Monica Police Department can do to keep the homeless from disrupting business on the mall, said Sgt. Ira Rutan, who recently took over the Promenade beat. “I don’t know if there’s as much of a problem that merchants would lead you to believe,” he said. “The homeless have just as many rights. Being in a public space is not illegal.” People are allowed to sleep on the Promenade from 1-6 a.m., as well as roam freely throughout the day, just like any citizen, which is a concept that some business owners may not understand. Police add that is up to everyone to keep a watchful eye over the mall. “There are a lot of perceptions from business owners down there,” said Lt. Betsy Stratton, who oversees police enforcement on the mall. “We all have a responsibility to the city of Santa Monica to make it a safe place... the residents, citizens and merchants.” “They have to help us help them,” she said, adding many of the concerns merchants raise boil down to quality of life issues rather than law enforcement. Stratton said business owners should make more of an effort to bring their front line employees to police training sessions so a direct line of communication is established with those who witness crimes regularly. “They need to be empowered by their CEOs,” she said. “We hope they educate their ground staff as much as possible.” Education is a large part of making the mall a success, Stratton said. Two training sessions are held each year to discuss issues on the mall. “It is a challenge because the environment itself is changing and you have new merchants coming in,” Stratton said. Rutan and four other officers have stepped up their enforcement partially because of merchants’ concerns. At center court on the Promenade, runaways used to congregate and deal drugs. It also was one of the dirtier areas of the mall. But not anymore — Rutan and other officers have cleaned up the area and no longer allow any bags to be left unattended, which was frequent until a few months ago. Another issue for merchants is noise violations by street performers, which Rutan said is being enforced much more regularly now with officers patrolling the mall with noise meters. “I think the merchants are concerned that their issues are being addressed,” Rutan said, adding he has talked to representatives from the Bayside District, which oversees mall business. “They’ve noticed a difference recently. There is an increased perception that it’s safe.” Barbara Tenzer, of Tenzer Commercial Brokerage Group, Inc., who represents merchants and landlords on the mall, has seen a noticeable improvement since Rutan came on the beat. “I think nothing happens overnight but I think he has improved the area,” Tenzer said. “If he continues with his plans, the Promenade will be a better place.” > “I think nothing happens overnight but I think he has improved the area. If he continues with his plans, the Promenade will be a better place.” — — BARBARA TENZER Tenzer Commercial Brokerage Group representative Tenzer said Rutan is one of the best officers she’s seen on the mall since she started doing business there 20 years ago because he communicates with the merchants. “He’s very good,” she said. “He’s wonderful. He’s right on top of it and he listens and has been very receptive. The property owners feel the same way.” Rutan, who was one of the first officers to patrol the mall on bicycle, asked for the Promenade beat when he was patrol sergeant. “I liked it when I was there,” he said. “It’s a fun environment and there’s good people down there.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 12, 2001.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121201.pdf?ref=smdp.com)