> ## 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. # SMPD responds to terror threat - URL: https://www.smdp.com/smpd-responds-to-terror-threat/ - Published: 2005-08-30T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T07:37:54.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: local, Pier, #archive-import *Chief: Measures vital to thwarting attacks* SANTA MONICA PIER — The suspected targeting of the Santa Monica Pier by Middle Eastern terrorists has prompted a swift response by local authorities, who conducted car searches over the weekend and are patrolling the city’s famous tourist destination with more vigilance, in the hopes of deterring any attacks. The Santa Monica police began utilizing $2 million in emergency funds to shore up security at the Pier over the weekend, responding to evidence that men with ties to terrorist groups were surveying the site earlier this summer. As a result of the stepped-up security, drivers entering the Pier via the ramp from Ocean Avenue had to agree to a vehicle inspection, during which officers searched for explosives underneath car carriages with mirrors, sifted through trunks and probed beneath car hoods. The searches averaged 15 seconds, according to SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. Bus stops had to be temporarily routed to the corner of Ocean Avenue and Broadway, as opposed to Ocean and Colorado avenues, in order to free up room for the inspections, pier visitors said. In addition to the vehicle bomb searches, visitors could spot police scouting parties on foot, bike and all-terrain vehicles surveying crowded areas on and around the pier. Officers also kept an eye on the bustling tourist activity from ocean-side rooftops, they said. Fabrega said the extra security will last through the holiday weekend. He didn’t speculate when security might be scaled back to pre-threat levels, saying that doing so could jeopardize public safety. Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. informed the public earlier this month that a citizen on July 3 spotted three men, each of Middle Eastern decent, suspiciously videotaping specific areas of the pier, including access roads and the SMPD’s police substation. Based on intelligence from other agencies, the same men had been seen recently videotaping the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach and the Huntington Beach Pier. Another agency confirmed that the same individuals were seen videotaping at the 2003 Academy Awards. Butts said he was satisfied with the police department’s quick response to the terror probe and believes the steps are essential to prevent an attack on the pier. “I am confident and comfortable that we are proceeding at an extremely rapid pace to better secure the Pier, while at the same time maintaining its enjoyable aspects for the public,” Butts said. “I think it’s an absolute necessity and the majority of people we spoke to understood the response and thought it was minimally intrusive and commended the city on its proactive measure to ensure the safety of visitors. “We received no negative comments from any of the merchants.” The Santa Monica police have added four overtime officers and reconfigured their observation posts at the pier. Security has been increased underneath the pier and surrounding the structure’s pilings. Already underway are plans to train and hire additional K-9 officers with bomb-sniffing dogs. Butts anticipates hiring at least two new K-9 officers, but four may be necessary. The dogs themselves cost $5,000 apiece and the specially-trained officers command about $100,000 a year in salary. There also will be increased security on the Third Street Promenade, including the installation of security cameras, which has already begun and will be expanded to include parts of the downtown area and the pier. Signs will be posted throughout the Bayside District indicating that there are cameras rolling. Butts said he and city officials are currently working with a consultant about the size and scope of the project. The camera system’s installation and equipment will likely be an emergency purchase and won’t go out for a public bid. The cost of the surveillance system is estimated at $1.1 million. Santa Monica has been placed on a list for grant consideration by the California Office of Homeland Security. The maximum the city could receive under the “buffer zone protection fund” is $50,000\. About $13 million of that fund is budgeted for 259 cities throughout California, Homeland Security officials said. And while there are opportunities to receive more grant money from the Department of Homeland Security, city officials plan to move forward with the security enhancements and figure out how to pay for them later. There were mixed results among Pier visitors on Sunday regarding the bolstered security efforts. “We would rather be safe and inspected, it only took a minute,” said Deb Dechellis, a tourist from Massachusetts who parked on the Pier after her car was searched. However, Santa Monica resident Erin McFadden felt the police were crossing a fine line of privacy with the vehicular searches. “This is America, not Israel,” McFad-den said. “To have to stop your car and be searched for not doing anything wrong is ridiculous. “My guess is the police must be pretty scared about something bad happening, because they’re risking a big lawsuit because of it.” Therese Lee, a Venice resident taking a stroll on Pier, said the security steps were unfortunate. “I’ve been living here for 25 years, and it makes me very sad to see this,” Lee said. “It may be necessary, but it’s not OK.” > “I’ve been living here for 25 years, and it makes me vary sad to see this. It may be necessary, but it’s not OK.” — THERESE LEE Venice resident *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 30, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/083005.pdf?ref=smdp.com)