Stand-Off with a Machete

Last week, Officers from the Culver City Police Department (CCFD) responded along with the Culver City Fire Department to the 11000 Block of Ocean Ave. in the Lindberg Park neighborhood to an odor of smoke from the backyard of a residence that was under construction.

Officers arrived on scene, made entry into the backyard, and located a subject armed with a machete who refused to drop it although the officers spoke to him in both English and Spanish.

There was a small fire at one portion of the yard and a cut a power line from a power pole which fell in the swimming pool, causing sparks and smoke.

The officers attempted multiple times utilizing Crisis Negotiation Tactics to de-escalate the situation, however the subject refused to drop the machete.

A short time later, the officers re-engaged with Crisis Negotiation Tactics and were able to convince him to put the machete down and exit the yard where he was taken into custody without further incident.

CCFD personnel checked on the subject who was not injured, entered the rear yard, and made the live wire safe.

The subject was transported to CCPD where he was booked for arson, trespassing, being under the influence of methamphetamines as well as damaging electrical power lines.

Great job de-escalating the incident utilizing Crisis Negotiations tactics, creating a safe outcome to a very volatile and dangerous situation.

CCFD made the scene safe, working on a dangerous live wire.

Last week, Culver City Police Department (CCPD) officers, in collaboration with Culver City Fire Department (CCFD), responded to the 11000 Block of Ocean Ave following reports of an unusual odor of smoke emanating from the backyard of a residence under construction.

Upon their arrival, officers made their way into the backyard, where they encountered an individual armed with a machete. Despite repeated communication attempts in both English and Spanish, the subject adamantly refused to drop the weapon. A small fire had ignited in one corner of the yard, and a severed power line from a nearby pole had fallen into the swimming pool, resulting in sparks and smoke.

Officers, employed Crisis Negotiation Tactics, made numerous efforts to de-escalate the situation, but the individual remained uncooperative, holding onto the machete.

After a brief interval, officers resumed negotiations, successfully convincing the individual to relinquish the machete and exit the yard. He was taken into custody without any further issues.

CCFD personnel assessed the individual, confirming he had not sustained any injuries. They proceeded to secure the live wire in the rear yard, eliminating any potential hazards.

The subject was subsequently transported to CCPD, where he was booked on charges of arson, trespassing, being under the influence of methamphetamines, and damaging electrical power lines.