> ## 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.

# Writing on the wall could spell trouble
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/writing-on-the-wall-could-spell-trouble/
- Published: 2005-11-23T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T08:13:56.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Pico, #archive-import

*Police keep up appearances*

*By Daily Press staff*

Local police are on high alert after receiving a tip that gang tensions between members in Los Angeles and Santa Monica have intensified.

The Santa Monica Police Department has received unconfirmed and uncorroborated information from an informant regarding recent gang activity in the Los Angeles area. The information identifies a Santa Monica gang as a potential target for retaliation, according to police.

The SMPD reports an increase in gang-related graffiti in the Pico neighborhood, which is indicative of gang tension. Such graffiti in the past has been a precursor to gang violence, police said.

However, the SMPD has been in contact with the LAPD for the surrounding area and they have received no recent reports of gang violence attributed to Santa Monica gang members as suspects.

“We are making this information public and are asking for the public’s assistance to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood,” said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. “Again, we want to emphasize that the information is general and unconfirmed. The police department, as always, continues to maintain a high visibility, violence-prevention presence in the Pico neighborhood and at Edison School.”

The SMPD has notified Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy of the alert.

“It’s unconfirmed reports, but we need to take it seriously,” Fabrega said. “We want to continue the highest level of law enforcement we can.”

To report any suspicious activity, call the SMPD at (310) 458-8491\. Callers who wish to remain anonymous also may call the WeTip national hotline at 1-800-78- CRIME (27463).

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 23, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/112305.pdf?ref=smdp.com)