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Private Investigator Santa Monica CA – Licensed Surveillance & Investigation Services
Blue Systems International provides private investigation services throughout Santa Monica. We know this city – from the Pier crowds to the parking structures, Montana Avenue to the SM Airport industrial district.
When Santa Monica Police Department on 11th Street says they cant help with your situation, thats when you call us.
Surveillance Services in Santa Monica
Running surveillance in Santa Monica requires knowing the specific challenges of this beach city. Heres what makes it different:
| Location | Surveillance Challenge | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Our Approach | Heavy tourist crowds, street performers, variable lighting | Multiple rotating investigators, blend with foot traffic |
| 3rd Street Promenade | High pedestrian zones, outdoor dining, multiple exits | Strategic positioning at connected side streets (2nd/4th) |
| Santa Monica Place | Multi-level open-air mall, security presence | Parking structure sightlines, rotation between levels |
| Beach Parking Structures | Numbered structures 1-8 along coast, varying layouts | Know each structures angles, lighting, entry/exit patterns |
| Montana Avenue | Upscale boutiques, sidewalk cafes, residential nearby | Vehicle and foot surveillance mix, parallel street positioning |
Beach Parking Structure Surveillance
Santa Monica's numbered beach parking structures each have unique characteristics:
- Structure 1 (Pier) – Heaviest tourist traffic, good cover but crowded
- Structure 3 – Near volleyball courts, clear sightlines to beach path
- Structure 4 – Excellent night surveillance due to lighting patterns
- Structure 6 – Difficult entry angle, requires advance positioning
- Structure 8 (near SM College) – Student traffic provides natural cover
Learn more about our surveillance investigation methods.
Infidelity Investigation Services
Santa Monica nightlife makes this city a hotspot for infidelity cases. Common locations we've documented affairs:
Pier & Promenade Nightlife
- Pier restaurants after dark
- Pacific Park ferris wheel area
- Promenade bars and lounges
- Beach parking structures at night
- Hotels near Ocean Avenue
Montana Avenue Encounters
- Upscale restaurants (7th-17th St)
- Coffee shop meetings
- Boutique shopping covers
- Nearby residential apartments
- Wine bars and bistros
Signs We Investigate
| Behavior | What We Document |
|---|---|
| Late nights "at work" | Vehicle location, arrival/departure times, companion identification |
| Unexplained expenses | Location correlation with credit card activity |
| Secretive phone behavior | Meeting locations, duration, frequency patterns |
| New gym or hobby | Actual attendance vs claimed schedule |
Read about hiring a PI for suspected cheating.
Background Check Services
We handle background investigations for Santa Monica businesses, individuals, and institutions including St. John's Hospital pre-employment screening.
What Our Background Checks Cover
| Check Type | What's Included | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal History | County, state, federal records – beyond basic databases | 3-5 days |
| Employment Verification | Direct supervisor interviews, actual duties performed | 2-4 days |
| Education Confirmation | Degree verification, dates attended, honors claimed | 2-3 days |
| Civil Court Records | Lawsuits, judgments, liens, bankruptcies | 3-5 days |
| Reference Interviews | In-depth conversations beyond scripted questions | 3-7 days |
| Social Media Analysis | Online presence, public posts, associations | 1-2 days |
According to SHRM, over 90% of employers conduct background screening – but database searches miss alot.
Skip Tracing Services
Finding people who dont want to be found in Santa Monica:
Common Skip Tracing Scenarios
- Debt collection – Locate debtors whove left known addresses
- Legal service – Find defendants avoiding process servers
- Family reconnection – Locate estranged relatives
- Heir searches – Find beneficiaries for estates
- Witness location – Track down witnesses for litigation
Santa Monica Skip Tracing Challenges
| Challenge | Why It Happens Here |
|---|---|
| Transient beach population | People living in vehicles, moving between beach areas |
| SM Airport industrial district | Cash businesses, warehouse work, under-the-table employment |
| High rental turnover | Expensive rents cause frequent moves |
| Tourist cover | Easy to blend into visitor population |
We use OSINT investigation techniques combined with database access and field work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes skip tracing requires both technology and interpersonal skills.
Fraud Investigation
Our senior investigator holds CFE, CISSP, and CEH certifications. We investigate:
- Investment fraud and ponzi schemes
- Real estate fraud
- Business partnership disputes
- Elder financial abuse
- Identity theft
- Contractor fraud
Wilshire Boulevard Fraud Corridor
The stretch of Wilshire between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills sees regular fraud investigation work:
- Investment office due diligence
- Business partner background investigations
- Forensic accounting support
- Asset searches for judgment collection
Process Serving
We serve legal documents throughout Santa Monica including at the Santa Monica Courthouse on Main Street.
Common Service Locations
Court & Legal
- Santa Monica Courthouse
- Attorney offices on Wilshire
- Main Street legal district
Medical
- St. John's Hospital
- Wilshire medical offices
- Professional plazas
Residential
- Ocean Park apartments
- North of Montana homes
- Pico neighborhood
Commercial
- SM Airport businesses
- Main Street retailers
- 3rd Street offices
California service requirements explained at California Courts.
Workers Compensation Investigation
The medical office concentration near Wilshire Boulevard makes Santa Monica a hotspot for workers comp claims – and fraud.
What We Document
| Claimed Limitation | Surveillance Target |
|---|---|
| Cant lift over 10 lbs | Home activities, grocery trips, recreational activity |
| Severe back injury | Exercise, sports, beach activities |
| Cannot stand/walk extended periods | Shopping, events, daily routines |
| Unable to work | Secondary employment, side businesses |
Wilshire Medical Office District
Common surveillance locations for workers comp cases:
- St. John's Hospital employee parking
- Medical plaza parking structures
- Physical therapy facility exits
- Pharmacy pickup locations
All surveillance follows California Penal Code 637 privacy guidelines.
Insurance Fraud Investigation
The SM Airport industrial district generates regular insurance fraud activity.
Types of Insurance Fraud We Investigate
| Fraud Type | Common Scenario | Investigation Method |
|---|---|---|
| Staged accidents | Intersection collisions with multiple "witnesses" | Witness interviews, scene reconstruction, LPR data |
| Inflated claims | Auto body shops padding repair estimates | Damage assessment, comparable estimates, shop surveillance |
| Fake theft | Business inventory "stolen" from warehouse | Employee interviews, security footage, inventory audit |
| Property damage | Pre-existing damage claimed as new | Photo dating analysis, neighbor interviews, permit records |
SM Airport Industrial Zone
Investigation targets in this area:
- Warehouse and storage facilities
- Aviation businesses
- Auto body and repair shops
- Small manufacturing operations
Santa Monica Service Areas
Ocean Park
- Near Main Street
- Mix of apartments/homes
- Beach adjacent
North of Montana
- Upscale residential
- Montana Ave shopping
- High-value properties
Sunset Park
- Near SM College
- Family neighborhood
- SM Airport adjacent
Wilshire Montana
- Commercial on Wilshire
- Residential north
- Medical offices
Mid-City/Downtown
- 3rd Street Promenade
- Santa Monica Place
- Courthouse area
Pico Neighborhood
- Along Pico Blvd
- More affordable
- Diverse community
Key Santa Monica Landmarks We Work
| Landmark | Common Investigation Type |
|---|---|
| Santa Monica Pier / Pacific Park | Infidelity surveillance, witness location |
| 3rd Street Promenade | Surveillance, subject following, activity documentation |
| Santa Monica Place | Mall surveillance, subject meetings |
| Montana Avenue (7th-17th) | Infidelity cases, asset verification |
| Main Street Corridor | Process serving, business investigations |
| Santa Monica Courthouse | Process serving, record retrieval |
| St. John's Hospital | Workers comp, background checks |
| SM College | Background verification, witness location |
| Santa Monica Airport | Insurance fraud, business investigation |
| Police HQ (11th Street) | Record requests, case coordination |
| Beach Parking Structures 1-8 | Vehicle surveillance, activity documentation |
| Wilshire Blvd Medical District | Workers comp, fraud investigation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who's the best private investigator near me in Santa Monica?
If your looking for a PI who actually knows Santa Monica – every parking structure, every surveillance challenge – Blue Systems International has worked this city since 2010.
How much does a private investigator cost in Santa Monica?
Most work runs $85-150/hour depending on service type. Surveillance is higher end, background checks usually flat-rate. We provide upfront pricing before starting.
What do I do if I think my spouse is cheating?
Dont confront them – you'll tip them off. Document what your noticing (late nights, phone behavior, expenses). Then call for a free consultation.
Can you serve papers at the Santa Monica Courthouse?
Yes. We handle process serving throughout Santa Monica including courthouse service, substitute service, and difficult-to-serve situations.
Do you work with attorneys?
Significant portion of our work comes from Santa Monica attorneys – divorce, civil litigation, criminal defense. We document evidence for court admissibility.
Is hiring a private investigator legal?
Yes. Licensed California PIs operate under BSIS regulations. Everything we document is done legally and is court admissible.
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