𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛: Officers Offer Couple Pet-Friendly Shelter Referral on Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Santa Monica police officers assigned to the Homeless Liaison Program offered services and a shelter referral to a couple experiencing homelessness on Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday morning, Oct. 7, 2026. The officers were familiar with the couple from previous contacts and spoke with them about shelter options through The People Concern. The couple had a dog, and officers explained that the shelter being discussed allowed dogs. During the conversation, one officer said he would contact the shelter director, make a referral for the couple and meet them at the facility in downtown Santa Monica to help connect them with services. The People Concern is a nonprofit organization providing outreach, interim housing, health care and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. Its interim housing programs allow residents to bring pets and offer case management, mental health services and assistance toward permanent housing. In Santa Monica, the organization’s Annenberg Access Center provides meals, case management, showers, laundry and lockers, along with on-site medical care through a partnership with Venice Family Clinic. These services are part of its broader network of assistance for people experiencing homelessness. The Santa Monica Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Program works to connect people experiencing homelessness with city and county services. According to the city, the team consists of one sergeant and six officers who collaborate with the City Attorney’s Office, Fire Department, human services staff and Los Angeles County mental health personnel to coordinate referrals and assistance. The beach encounter documented an offer of assistance; whether the couple subsequently entered shelter was not confirmed. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document homeless outreach, public safety activity and daily life across Santa Monica’s beachfront and surrounding communities. #SantaMonica #SantaMonicaBeach #SantaMonicaPolice #homelessoutreach — ⚠️ 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal/Venmo/Credit Card 👉 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M6... 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Facebook 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Twitter 👉   / smcloseup   — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦    / @santamonicacloseup   — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 press@santamonicacloseup.com — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U