Hermosa Beach Police Department

If the Hermosa Beach Police Department has arrested or is investigating you, a loved one or a member of your family, it is only natural that you will need to know the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense, the legal and factual requirements to convict one of the crime that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the punishment a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime. 

Criminal cases involving arrests by the Hermosa Beach Police Department are filed at the Torrance Superior Court or, with more serious cases, at the Clara Shortridge Foltz criminal courts building (CCB) in downtown Los Angeles. 

Most misdemeanor cases arising in Hermosa Beach are prosecuted by the Redondo Beach City Prosecutor’s office; felonies are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is also prudent for one to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It is good to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the city’s demographics, the most frequent types of crime the department investigates and just a bit about the city’s history to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective.

This article is presented with this goal in mind.

The Hermosa Beach Police Department is staffed by 38 sworn police officers.  There are 30 additional staff personnel in the department.  The department does have a K-9 unit.

Hermosa Beach is a small beach city of 19,728 as of he 2020 census.  It is only 1.43 square miles, making it one of the smallest cities in Los Angeles County, but also making its police officer / square mile coverage quite high. 

As would be expected, the crime rate in Hermosa is very low, although our office has handed hundreds of cases arising in Hermosa Beach, including DUI, public intoxication, public urination, as well as domestic violence and assaults.  The city has been the focus of several civil lawsuits involving Air ‘B and B homes being used a “party houses” with short term rentals that have angered many residents.

According to Wikipedia, quoting the 2020 United States Census, there were 19,728 residents of the city, of whom 77.9% identified as White (73.4% of which were non-Hispanic White), 0.6% Black or African American, 7.3% Asian, and 11.6% as two or more races.  11.4% of residents were of Hispanic or Latino origin.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Hermosa Beach had a median household income of $101,655, with 3.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

The city is well-known for its Pier Plaza area with many restaurants and bars at the foot of the Hermosa Beach pier.

It is also known for the Hermosa Ironman, which is an unofficial triathlon held every July 4, consisting of running a mile in the sand, paddling a mile on a surfboard, and downing a 6-pack of beer. "First to finish without puking wins!"

The Strand, a cement path running parallel to the ocean and alongside the beachfront row of homes, is perhaps the city’s most well-known property.

Running parallel to The Strand is a lovely linear trail known today as the Hermosa Valley Greenbelt.  Once part of a railroad easement, this narrow 24-acre (97,000 m2) strip had long been the subject of heated controversy and pressure from various commercial interests.  After years of litigation and wrangling, the city was poised to permit intensive retail and condominium development in the mid-1980s when a grassroots group spearheaded by activist Rosamond Fogg forced the matter to a vote.  The City Council at the time was divided over whether the matter was of much importance but after an energetic and passionate campaign, the citizens found that the greenbelt was a vital recreational resource and mandated its preservation for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors.  This ballot initiative passed by almost 87%, the highest in California history.

For more information about being arrested and possibly facing a criminal case, please click on the following articles: