July 18, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Charges dropped for man pepper-sprayed at Santa Monica park

Charging station for electric cars, close-up (Thinkstock).
Charging station for electric cars, close-up (Thinkstock).

A 36-year-old man who was pepper-sprayed by police while being detained for allegedly violating the curfew at a Santa Monica park and resisting arrest will not face criminal charges, according to the City Attorney’s Office.

Justin Palmer was arrested the night of April 21 while he was charging his electric car at a Virginia Avenue Park charging station, according to police and Palmer’s attorney.

According to Santa Monica police, officers were making a routine check of the park at Pico Boulevard and Cloverfield and told Palmer he needed to leave because the park closed at 11 p.m. Police said Palmer refused to leave or provide any identification, and when officers tried to arrest him, Palmer “actively resisted,” prompting officers to use pepper spray.

Palmer later hired an attorney who claimed officers were overly aggressive in the arrest. He also said the park had not yet closed when Palmer was approached by police, noting that other people were in the park at the same time charging their vehicles at the station.

A video taken by someone at the park was posted online, showing at least one other vehicle being charged at the same time Palmer was being arrested. According to the video, Palmer is a father of four and was approached by police around 10:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the park closed.

According to a City Attorney’s Office statement released Monday, prosecutors opted not to pursue charges against Palmer “after a careful examination of the circumstances.”

“Factors which precluded the filing of criminal charges were Mr. Palmer’s belief that being present in the parking lot did not constitute a park closure violation, signage at the entrance to the parking lot of Virginia Avenue Park did not clearly indicate that the parking lot is included in the park closure ordinance and a question concerning when Mr. Palmer arrived in the parking lot and when officers made their initial contact with him,” according to the City Attorney’s Office.

Related Posts

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Miami Developer Seeks to Convert Century City Apartment Tower into Condos: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

If approved, the property at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., known as Ten Thousand and built in 2017, would mark the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...