Calabasas
Red Flag Warning – October 29-30, 2023
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura County for Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 3 AM through Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10 PM due to Santa Ana winds of 35-50 MPH with gusts up to 65 MPH and humidity in the 10-30% range.
Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:
- Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders. If on the Malibu campus call Public Safety at 310.506.4441. At all other locations report smoke by calling 911.
- Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished.
- Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.
- Consider taking down umbrellas and moving patio furniture inside.
During Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a preemptive deenergization of electrical circuits in an attempt to prevent power lines from starting a potential wildfire. This may result in the loss of power for a Pepperdine campus. While SCE has promised to advise the community in advance, and University officials are in regular communication with SCE representatives, the community should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility of a PSPS. Further details on a PSPS and how you can prepare are available here.
The Department of Public Safety is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to potential wildfires.
Malibu Canyon Reopened
Malibu Canyon is now open following this morning’s traffic accident related closure. All other routes to Pepperdine’s Malibu Campus remain open and clear of significant delays, and Pepperdine classes and operations are continuing as scheduled.For the most up-to-date information on roads near Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, please call the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD). Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.
Malibu Canyon Closed
Due to a traffic accident and the associated investigation, Malibu Canyon Road is currently closed. Law enforcement has indicated the road may be closed for an extended period of time. The closure begins just north of the Seaver Drive intersection for northbound traffic and at Mulholland Highway for southbound traffic. All other routes to Pepperdine’s Malibu Campus remain open and clear of significant delays, and Pepperdine classes and operations will continue as scheduled.For the most up-to-date information on roads near Pepperdine’s Malibu campus, please call the Road Conditions Hotline at 310.506.7623 (ROAD). Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.
Follow up to the Erroneous Shots Fired Dispatch Call on August 30
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has assessed the cause of an Erroneous Shots Fired Message that went out to the Pepperdine Community Wednesday evening and concluded it was an unintentional mistake. We apologize for the undue concern it has caused our community.
Within seconds, DPS and University officials were investigating the validity of the message. While they researched this possibility, officers and administrators spoke with employees in Calabasas, reviewed the call log, and viewed Calabasas camera footage to, with the greatest amount of certainty possible, confirm there was no actual shots fired report in Calabasas. Receiving those confirming details that it was not an actual emergency, within 16 minutes of the first message, DPS Dispatch sent a correcting message noting the first communication was in error.
Upon receipt of the initial message, University administrators and officers from the University’s Department of Public Safety went to the Calabasas campus and met with Los Angeles Sheriff’s department (LASD). Sheriff’s deputies accessed the building and cleared it. No employees or students were present in the building at the time the first message went out. Out of an abundance of caution, LASD also sent officers to Malibu.
While we are relieved that the message was in error, we deeply regret the error. We apologize to the Pepperdine community for the undue concern and the additional work it has caused. The Emergency Operations Committee and Department of Public Safety will conduct a review of its testing procedures, training, and protocols to avoid a repeat of this error.
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