Santa Monica Police Launch Centralized Operations Hub

The Santa Monica Analytical Real-Time (SMART) Center, a police tool for preventing, responding to, and investigating crime, has launched.

"The SMART Center serves as a centralized operations hub where technology, personnel, and real-time intelligence converge to support coordinated, proactive policing," the SMPD explained in an April 21 statement, adding that it serves as a "centralized operations hub" where technology, personnel, and real-time intelligence can support coordinated, proactive policing.

A key function of the Center, police said, is strengthening the SMPD's ability to address organized retail theft, an issue impacting Santa Monica’s commercial districts. By integrating live video and regional information-sharing systems, the SMART Center enhances SMPD’s ability to identify patterns, track repeat offenders, and coordinate with partner agencies to disrupt organized theft networks.

"The SMART Center gives our officers the real-time tools and information ... and that is great news for every resident, every business owner, and every family in this city," Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis said.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on after-the-fact investigation, the SMART Center is designed to support both real-time response and proactive enforcement. During active incidents, SMART personnel can synthesize information from multiple sources, coordinate aerial support through drone deployment, and provide officers with a clear operational picture to improve both effectiveness and safety, according to authorities.

The SMART Center also enhances regional collaboration. By improving information sharing with local and state partners, the SMPD is better positioned to address crime trends—particularly the aforementioned organized retail theft—that extend beyond city limits and require coordinated, multi-agency response.

“This is a significant step forward in how we deliver public safety,” Police Chief Darrick Jacob said. “The SMART Center allows us to operate with greater precision, coordinate in real time, and proactively address crime trends while maintaining our commitment to transparency and accountability.”