Local Briefs

Polar Bear Plunge on January 2, 2022

After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual Polar Bear Swim returns to the Annenberg Community Beach House on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

The swim kicks off 2022 with a plunge into the Pacific Ocean and a 300-yard swim around a buoy and continues with access to Annenberg Community Beach House heated pool and amenities.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. at the Guest Services office, followed by a short walk to the shoreline with the first plunge for youth at 9:15 a.m. All other ages to follow.

Whether you dip your toes, take a plunge, or go for the 300-yard buoy swim in the ocean, the Polar Bear Swim will get your blood pumping and skin tingling. After the plunge, warm up in the heated Annenberg Community Beach House pool, enjoy a hot chocolate, and grab a photo with our very own polar bear mascot.

Beach Advisory Issued

Photos: The Beach.

A rainstorm bringing 1-3 inches, will begin on Monday 12/13/21. In response, authorities have put a beach water use advisory is in effect through Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at all L.A. beaches.

LA County Dept. of Public Health cautions residents that bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers after a rainfall. People who swim in the water in these areas could become ill.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available on the county's beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662. Information is also available online.

BH Steps Up Policing

Beverly Hills is adding more police and security officers to streets amid a spike in crime that has residents on edge.

Five new officers are joining the Beverly Hills Police Department on Monday, and the city will be deploying additional armed, private Covered-Six security officers for street patrols.

The department is also recruiting "lateral and pre-service police officers." Interested candidates may visit JoinBHPD.org.

Beverly Hills and Los Angeles have seen an uptick in violent crimes of late, including a rash of smash-and-grab retail robberies and a concurrent wave of so-called "follow-home" robberies, in which criminals target people with high-end merchandise, sometimes following them to their homes.

Beverly Hills was rocked by Wednesday morning's death of Jacqueline Avant, wife of music executive Clarence Avant, who was killed during an apparent break-in at the couple's Trousdale Estates home.

A suspect was arrested on suspicion of killing Avant following an unrelated burglary in the 6000 block of Graciosa Drive in the Hollywood Hills, committed roughly an hour after Avant's shooting, according to BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook.

Stainbrook said last week that the suspect, Aariel Maynor, 29 is on parole and has an "extensive" criminal record, which bars him from possessing a weapon.

Smash & Grab at Brentwood Country Mart

The Brentwood Country Mart at 26th Street and San Vicente, was reportedly the scene of a "Smash and Grab" style robbery Thursday afternoon. This according to a post on NextDoor, which reads:

"I was at the Malibu country mart, today early evening around 5pm and just witnessed Sephora get robbed by 4 people - one on the lookout and three women stuffing their bags. It was so brazen it's not to be believed...."

"Called police but nothing they can really do at the moment. Although they said it's good to call because these are happening daily and these small crews tend to hit a few spots afterward so at least police can be on the lookout immediately, but their hands seem to be tied. Welcome to the new LA."

Smash and grab robberies have been reported in the other parts of LA County in recent weeks, including the Grove and Beverly Hills.

Legal experts say these are not technically robberies, but better described as organized shoplifting. The video shows the perpetrators running from the scene with shopping bags.