A rash of shootings has Pico under watch
VIRGINIA AVE. PARK — Residents in the Pico neighborhood are looking to police for answers, and action, in the wake of four gang-related shootings in the past two weeks. While no one was killed in the shootings, there were injuries.
Santa Monica Police Lt. Alex Padilla tried to quell concerns from a handful of residents who attended a Pico Neighborhood Association meeting last Thursday at Virginia Avenue Park, where just six days prior, a young Hispanic male was shot while getting a drink of water following a soccer game. A call of shots fired came in later that night on 20th Street.
Padilla summarized the circumstances of each of the four shootings, which began on July 4 when two male Hispanics shot a 25-year-old Santa Monica man in broad daylight in the 1900 block of 19th Street.
It’s been eight days since the last shooting — the most recent one being Sunday, July 9, at 3 p.m. in the rear alley of the 1900 block of Euclid Street. Police said the two victims were pulling into a carport when two Hispanic teenagers drove by and shot at them. No was injured.
“We have nothing that leads us to believe that the incidents are tied together, until our investigation is complete,” Padilla said, adding that the SMPD has increased patrol in the neighborhood via helicopter, undercover officers, bike and foot patrol, and coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
That’s what concerns some members of the PNA board, some of whom are mothers of young Hispanic boys.
“Now, with the increased police presence, all young Latinos are suspects,” said PNA board member Gina De Baca, whose son was arrested last Wednesday for resisting arrest. Apparently, De Baca’s son, Michael Urie, was approached by police officers on a separate investigation. When officers attempted to search him, a struggle ensued and he was arrested, Padilla said. The case was turned over to the Los Angeles District’s Office, which charged him with resisting arrest, a felony.
“The police came swooping up because of some incident that happened in the community, I don’t know what,” De Baca said. “I am totally disgusted. My son did not break the law. He did nothing wrong.”
PNA chair Irma Carranza said the youth in the Pico neighborhood are fearful, not just because of the shootings, but also of the police.
“We all want to be safe,” she told Padilla. “But there are different types of safety.”
She added that police relations in the neighborhood are just as tense as the fear felt among residents as a result of the shootings. Many Latino families feel as if they are being harassed by police, Carranza said.
“You need to erase that perception,” she told Padilla. “With increased patrol, it’s even more critical to work in collaboration with this board and this community to keep us safe.
“We are all in this together and we need to work together.”
Padilla pointed out that the SMPD has been present in a positive way for the youth, citing a recent barbecue that officers hosted at Virginia Avenue Park for students who recently graduated or did well during the past school year.
“We are working with the community,” he said. “We will continue to build that bridge... we are not doing anything but trying to make Santa Monica safe and be able to come to the park and not have to look over your shoulder.”
The issues will be discussed again tonight at 7 p.m., when the Virginia Avenue Park Advisory Board will host a meeting with the community at the park. Padilla and SMPD Capt. Jacqueline Seabrooks are expected to attend.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 17, 2006. Read the original PDF.