At a community police forum this week, Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson and other members of MBPD spoke on topics including crime, social media, the so-called "MB Goons," and the 4th of July
Johnson led with the news that crime in Manhattan Beach is down, as measured year-over-year, between 2024 and 2023 in Manhattan Beach. Crime had also dropped between 2023 and 2022, even though people tend to think that crime is increasing, she added.
"You hear about one crime five times and it feels like crime has actually quintupled, rather than it’s down. Some of that is just a factor of how we communicate today," she said, noting that social media and the growth of sites like NextDoor have been a complicating factor. "When I say crime is down, you say, 'Well, Rachel, I heard about six robberies,' and I say, 'Well that was one that you heard about six times.'"
Between 2024 and 2023, violent crime in Manhattan Beach is down approximately 9%; property crime is down approximately 8%, and crimes against society are down significantly as well, noted Johnson.
Johnson credited the work of the department as well as increased vigilance among residents for the improvement. "This is a partnership. We can’t do what we do without you," she said.
Johnson urged residents to call police if they witness a crime or see something that seems wrong. She cited an incident about a month ago where an officer was taking a report of a crime and the resident said, "'Well, it took you long enough. I put this on NextDoor a day ago.'"
"NextDoor is not how we report crime," added Johnson.
Johnson and MBPD Captain Andrew Enriquez also called attention to a new email address that residents are being encouraged to use to share information or videos on a crime: [email protected].
Crimes, Misdemeanors, and the District Attorney
Johnson and Enriquez then answered a series of questions that had been pre-submitted by the audience and via email in advance of the event.
Several questions related to the police's response to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón's controversial policies, including
Special Directive 20-07 (limiting the prosecution of certain misdemeanors). The city of Manhattan Beach is a
cosponsor of legislation that would allow a city to
prosecute state misdemeanors such as public intoxication,
disturbing the peace, and drug and paraphernalia possession committed
within the city. Currently, the city must receive the consent of the D.A. to prosecute those misdemeanors, but
the D.A.'s office has said it would not prosecute those crimes. There were also questions about the LA Superior Court's "
zero bail" policy (releasing arrestees for low-level, non-violent, non-serious offenses with a promise to appear at arraignment instead of assigning a money bail amount).
Several residents asked if those policies changed the behavior of Manhattan Beach police or affected the morale of the department.
"We still arrest people; we still take people to jail. We still write great reports and conduct excellent investigations to allow the best chance of the D.A. to prosecute those crimes. So our role is unchanged," said Johnson. "Is it frustrating to have a really great investigation or have someone who is a problematic person and really not be able to get a prosecution? Sure. Absolutely it can be frustrating. But we will stay the course."
Johnson continued: "[The D.A. or other policies] may change, but we remain steadfast in what we do here in the police department. One of the reasons why I took this job is to take people to jail - and that's what we still do. Other than driving with lights and sirens, that is the most fun part of the job. While the winds will change, they will always go back to the way they were. We have not stopped our focus on crime and we have not stopped making arrests despite any of the hurdles that are in our way."
(MBPD Chief Rachel Johnson)
Johnson concluded: "We enforce state laws as they are written; we make arrests, we take people to jail - bottom line. The politics of all of it is something that we steer clear of because our mission is always clear, and it’s always true, and it doesn’t change."
The "MB Goons"
Several questions related to the "
MB Goons," a loosely affiliated group of young e-bike riders who appear to be up to no good.
"We are aware of the Goons, the SROs (school resource officers are aware, and we have identified a lot of the folks who have committed a crime in our city and in our neighboring cities. And yes, we have made arrests," said Johnson.
Johnson likened kids, ebikes, crime, and the MB Goons to "one of those Venn diagrams from school," with overlapping circles that do not always cover the same group. "Not every kid on an ebike is one of the Goons; not every juvenile who does things that are annoying is one of the Goons. The Goons are really a loosely affiliated group of people, and not every violent act that has been committed by a kid on an ebike is from someone who affiliates himself with the Goons," she said.
Johnson continued: "Our approach has been one, to make sure that we are enforcing our traffic laws as they are written, with at least one directed enforcement event per month, and twice in May. That doesn't mean we don't enforce on other days; it just means that we have a specific focus on [ebikes on those days]. Two, we’re issuing citations and making arrests. Often times these parents are woefully aware of what their kids are doing... it's a big surprise to them. So what I ask of you is if you see your neighbor’s kids acting like a buffoon, let them know. Be a good neighbor; tell on your neighbor’s kids."
Johnson concluded: "Please rest assured that we are taking action. We’ve identified some of the players who have committed crimes in our city...Please know that we take it seriously, that we’re paying a lot of attention to it, and every measure that is reasonable and appropriate, we’re taking. If they are juveniles, we prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
Juveniles without a previous record are usually referred to juvenile probation, she said, and the seriousness of their crime and their criminal history will depend on what avenue a juvenile probation officer decides to take with them. Juveniles without a serious crime or records may be sent to diversion, and/or sentenced to perform community service or restorative justice. A juvenile with a record of more serious offenses might be sent to juvenile hall, but that is not always an option due to overcrowding and other issues.
(Photo credit: Hermosa Beach Police Department)
Worth noting: On Friday, the Hermosa Beach Police Department worked with MBPD and other local police departments to conduct a directed enforcement with ebikes. During that eight-hour detail, officers conducted 62 stops, issued 41 citations, impounded three ebikes under the city's new municipal code, and arrested four subjects for gun charges during a parole search.
Alcohol on the Beach on the Fourth of July
Residents also asked about the Fourth of July celebrations on the beach and the large amount of drinking (alcohol is illegal at the beach), particularly among underage youth.
"With a lot of these kids, it goes back to what they see their parents doing," said Enriquez. "If you see their parents bringing alcohol down to the beach...I can bet you that their kids are doing the same thing. They're just modeling the behavior they see the most. It starts with parents setting a good example, but also handling a little bit of discipline."
Enriquez added that when he was working patrol, "I would sometimes stop a kid with alcohol and the parent would yell at me for citing their child. I don’t get paid to be your child’s parent - that's your job. My job is to enforce the laws."
(Young people crowd on the sand in Manhattan Beach on July 4, 2023.)
For the Fourth of July, he said, the department is prepared with extra staffing and the school resources officers will be working beach patrol assignments. "They know these kids; they have a rapport with these kids."
And going back to what Chief Johnson said, he added, if you see something, don't just share it on social media; report it to the police.
If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If you want to report
something, call MBPD's 24-7 non-emergency dispatch line at
(310) 545-4566.
(MBPD Chief Rachel Johnson)
(Young people crowd on the sand in Manhattan Beach on July 4, 2023.)