By Jorge Casuso

July 3, 2024 -- A naked tenant who has allegedly been terrorizing a Community Corp building in Santa Monica for months is making headlines after a local television station posted videos of his erratic behavior.

Fellow tenants of the 34-unit rent-control apartment complex at 1925-1933 20th Street near Pico Boulevard told KTLA the man screams obscenities and racial slurs, defecates in the parking stalls and continually trashes his apartment.

Police officers have responded to the location 16 times this year, with the number of calls escalating since May 16, said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

Officers have taken reports for indecent exposure on May 27 and June 24 and issued a citation for lewd conduct, a criminal violation, on June 21, Aklufi said.

The misdemeanor cases are under review with the City Prosecutor’s Office, she said.

The Police Department has also taken the man into custody twice for "an involuntary mental health evaluation/hold," which according to State Code takes place "when a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is a danger to others, or to themselves, or gravely disabled."

In addition, SMPD has been in contact with Community Corp "and we understand they are working to address these issues administratively," Aklufi said.

"While these efforts are ongoing, the police department is resolute in filling its law enforcement function by promptly responding to any additional calls for service at the location."

The Police Department's Community Affairs Unit has organized a Neighborhood Watch meeting next week that is open to the residents of the building, Aklufi said.

KTLA reported that over the Memorial Day weekend, the naked man "began touching himself inappropriately in front of a pool full of children."

"It was belligerent," one resident told the station. "It was out of control.”

A female tenant who did not want to be identified said the man "called me slave, B-word, N-word. He told me he’s going to kill me.”

According to Aklufi, "all SMPD responses to these calls for service were within policy and appropriate for the specific circumstances of each incident.

"This is a clear example of how the multiple strands of society’s safety net -– local government, physical and mental health providers, other service providers, police, and fire -- must pull together to protect the health and safety of the community along with ensuring the welfare of individuals," she said.