Cleaning-up Homeless Encampments in Venice

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., executed a comprehensive cleanup operation targeting the homeless encampment on Main Street and Mildred Ave. in Venice. The main objective was to address significant health and safety concerns for both the unhoused individuals and the general public. Sanitation workers, equipped with white hazardous materials suits, adhered to strict safety protocols throughout the cleanup.
During the operation, LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) provided homeless outreach services to offer assistance and support to those affected. as living quarters, posing potential health risks.
The cleanup involved two separate waste management teams working in collaboration. Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., took the initial step of sorting through the garbage to identify and collect hazardous waste items, such as batteries, urine, and syringes. Following their efforts, Los Angeles Public Works sanitation workers took over to collect the remaining garbage.
In order to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and secure compliance from the unhoused population, Los Angeles Police Officers maintained a constant presence throughout the duration of the cleanup operation, which aimed to preserve cleanliness and hygiene in the area.
While the cleanup of homeless encampments on Main Street contributes to public health and safety, it is crucial to acknowledge that it does not provide a long-term solution to the larger issue of homelessness. The City of Los Angeles is actively working on implementing comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of homelessness and provide essential resources and support to those in need.
The cleanup not only improves the condition of public spaces but also restores the intended use of restrooms. The City of Los Angeles remains dedicated to addressing homelessness in the area and will continue its efforts to find sustainable, long-term solutions.
Overall, the recent clean-up operation in Venice marks a significant step forward in improving public health, safety, and the provision of necessary resources to unhoused individuals. The City of Los Angeles remains committed to its ongoing work in addressing homelessness and striving for lasting solutions.
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Fabian Lewkowicz is a Santa Monica-based photojournalist, press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica.
Fabian's photographs have been displayed in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community.
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TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography
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(C) 2023 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.

[@travisp224]

GREAT JOB! keep it up

[@jenniferblane7550]

You are joking

[@ceciliastepaniak9759]

Thanks Fabian ❤

[@anthonyfeeney1210]

Have a good day

[@mikemann2053]

One of the clearly unwell "Homeless" in this video have more possessions than half the country. I wonder what happened to all her crap?? How long did it take to accumulate and how did she move it all? Really sad. Great video, thanks for uploading.

[@sunsensational]

that homeless woman at the end needs to be institutionalized. Very sad. she has no idea what she’s even doing

[@ksmith2852]

Nah, California leadership says that she just needs a tiny home or a safe sleeping space and her life will be perfect.

[@saucymack]

They all need to be, I remember a time when this was not an issue.

[@saucymack]

@@ksmith2852 +100 They have them off the 110, highland park, fools be on the parkway throwing drugs over the fence at night, from their bikes.

[@cindykress6679]

They take forever going through the bags😮. Just throw that trash and filth away.

[@misshippi971]

My garbage man never photos my garbage before he puts it in the truck. It must not be good enough.

[@bryanyoung4016]

Looking for spray cans battery's thy explode in truck used needle anything that's dangerous

[@heehaw8401]

I want his job.

[@saucymack]

@@heehaw8401 They don't pay enough. Think of your health?

[@gridley]

I appreciate Fabian filming scenes like these. It gives me some hope that urban LA isn't going to go even further down the dystopia drain. I know the city of San Diego just passed an ordinance banning as many homeless encampments as they've had. But I read that the city of SF did the same thing awhile ago, but their problems are as bad (if not worse) than ever before. Some of what's hitting cities of the West Coast & Western US is due in part to the 9th Circuit Court, which is one of the most dogmatic segments of the American federal judicial system.

[@ksmith2852]

LA has more homeless now than ever before in spite of the many billions of dollars of our taxes spent on it.

[@gridley]

@@ksmith2852 Exactly. I know people generally of the sociopolitical left imply the problem can be traced to a lack of enough money. But cities like SF & LA have been pouring a huge sum of money for yrs into dealing with the "unhoused." In the meantime, all they have to show for it is a bigger, more graspy homeless-poverty industry. I read that one of the executives of a homeless "non-profit" has an annual salary in the 6 digits. It's a version of the military-industrial complex.

[@ksmith2852]

There are more homeless in 2023 than ever before even after Billions of dollars of taxes being spent.

[@saraanderson6615]

The guy with the bandana is back in your video! 😊

[@Irene94087]

Venice cleaning is never ending. Job security

[@saucymack]

With low wages. ☢

[@Realroyrogers]

1900 block of Canal at Mildred Ave, Long over due

[@carrielynn4345]

How do they decide what to keep in those clear plastic bags?

[@DeepVerma728]

Hopefully the OC Metroline opens back up. I can go to San Clemente or Oceanside instead.

[@ksmith2852]

All of the money spent on this situation and there are more homeless now than ever before. This is beyond stupid at this point. We need new leadership. Newson and Bass have got to go.

[@kahlrhoam6769]

Govnr’s mane is spelled ‘Newsome’. And republicants had also ignored this shit for decades.

[@jamesblond150]

She literally JUST got elected and has done more already than the previous Mayor. Doubt you even live here.

[@paulsuprono7225]

These homeless need to go . . . to Jail. They make their environment totally NON-life supporting ! Not worth giving them fines . . . inevitably NOT able to pay them. HOWEVER, their REPEATED actions of squalor within the HOOD should be resolved ! 💀 🇺🇸

[@dtna]

​@@kahlrhoam6769Republicants is spelled Republicans.

[@ksmith2852]

​@@jamesblond150I have lived in California my entire life.

[@bobkessell3068]

what a crew, you can tell they are being paid by the hour. takes two hours to do thirty minutes of work. thumbs up the butt crew.

[@saucymack]

75 per day.

[@LauraBirch-ek6nn]

Thank you. Please wear a mask. You have no idea what could be lurking in the trash

[@ashlingofAsh7580]

Same place, different day.

[@skipdog9912]

I’ve seen these camps get taken down many times. They literally always show up the day after to rebuild!

[@roseornelas3355]

Did they tow that RV that was there? It looked like those people might be living in it??

[@donnaosuch5210]

Disfaceing property, that girl really thinks living like that is NORMAL???When they offer accommodations CRAZY!!

[@anukataja6805]

Not again😑This IS not working.

[@jeffhenson1994]

1st but sick of this mess

[@robertbedard-h9t]

what a way to spend 125,000 bucks cleaning up wtg cali your becoming another cesspool state!!!!

[@cherylculbertson9414]

And who do you think goes through and looks at all the pictures that are taken?????

[@misshippi971]

I guess that one guy found a drum he liked.

[@Strato13]

Growing up in SoCal, I don't recall this level of homelessness.. Is it just California, or is this nationwide?

[@mariajuana5476]

Mucha gente sin hogar,buscaban sitios y no hacían tanta basura,ellos con sus manos se fabricaban sitios decentes, claro que no se drogaban.

[@saucymack]

It's the new drugs man. 🦆🦆

[@myrtleborodziuk7163]

This is in many areas lots of people don’t want responsibilities they don’t want rules to stay in shelters they can’t drink or do drugs .

[@KaceyIlliot]

6:05, common sense would tell you this is NOT okay.

[@judywaddell6065]

I don't think that moving quickly is in their DNA.

[@kixigvak]

Fabian, any sign of Daisy? Was she the Andrea Powell shot and killed in Long Beach on June 24?

[@SantaMonicaCloseup]

You can see Daisy daily on her KZbin channel: youtube.com/@UniteTheSuperheros

[@denisemarie426]

So much for recycling,, "the green new deal". Thanks Newsome.

[@marcoskundig1164]

Onde está a daise?

[@cicco2156]

Und wieder habt ihr eine Müllkippe Beseitiegt sieht wieder Ordenlich aus Super Arbeit von euch den Reinigungsteam 🚧🚧🚧🦺🦺🦺u Die Nette Police Officerin👮‍♀🚔🚔🚔 ist auch wieder mit dabei gewesen ihr macht ein tollen Job.Lade reuch mehr Reinigungs Videos hoch schaue ich mir sehr gern an von euch Danke

[@aquamanlbc]

Why did the landlord erect a tent?

[@rogerthornton4068]

I don't have the answers for all this homelessness and despair. I just know that it disturbs me and we are failing as a society. We can always do more.

[@krg038]

When you talk to them its both a choice and many work but not enough money. The people that choose have done it for years. Car repo lots are overflowing people live high on the hog. Only a hand full of homeless are hard drug users.

[@saucymack]

@@krg038 Yeah right, Where do you live? If you're homeless for 30 days you're toast.

[@krg038]

@@saucymack Hollywood dude. Our church is out on the street doing something. You?

[@saucymack]

@@krg038I work two jobs to pay my rent, and I only smoke weed, and not to excess. 😉💪🏾👌🏾👍🏾

[@skipdog9912]

Sad that the city of LA let’s it get this bad before doing something about it!

[@julianoviski3552]

Essa aí é reincidente, ela está por tudo.

[@MaureenByrnes]

Dang you can’t get slower than these guys 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@kixigvak]

They're only making $100 bucks an hour. Pay them more and they'll work even slower!

[@saucymack]

@@kixigvak 75 a day part time.

[@matthewmaury9496]

They can save money by moving faster...less people then....

[@colinchampollion4420]

Over ~Staffec and p aying tax money to hire fat- slow-poke - workers

[@kixigvak]

What this cleanup is missing is a paddy wagon

[@larryknight4221]

0:13 if police patroled an never let them start to set up would keep it clean.

[@mamamia58]

Why is it necessary to go through someone's trash? The landlord put that trap there after he evicted the tenants.

[@bryanyoung4016]

Needles drugs urine

[@ksmith2852]

Maybe. They come every week to do free pick up of trash. Why should anyone pay dump fees or garbage services. Just throw it on the street. Now, you see how government policies have turned California into a cesspool.

[@jeffhenson1994]

save a Whale remember that

[@waltoneames7948]

TOW THOSE CAMPERS THEY ARE A FIRE HAZARD,AND CONSIDERED ABANDONED IF STATE TAGS ARE OUT OF DATE THATS THE CALIFORNIA LAW

[@Lecknye1961]

Isn’t that the same woman they ran out of the bathroom at the beach? probably a stolen bicycle they’re stripped down.

[@saucymack]

Liar. I know this area. I'm in the van right there? EVERY UNDERPASS IS A HOMELESS CAMP ALONG THE 10, ALSO ALONG THE 405.

[@Ben-ph7pv]

Absolutely disgusting

[@jamesblond150]

Have you been to Naples, Italy?

[@mariajuana5476]

Despues opino que deberian tirar mangueras con agua y algun desinfectante,o provocaran el colera y demas enfermedades a los vecinos.

[@Eggmanrocks]

the woman at 4:31 -4:42 is sadly human trafficker dream or serial killer meal

[@mirandadunsmore-gladue5477]

The work ethic demonstrated on this video is embarrassing 😳

[@saucymack]

75 per day part time. MORE AND LESS.

[@kahlrhoam6769]

At least, the wanna be pretend cop tried making productive contact, this time. But he quit too easily. That boy needs some learning. 😐

[@bnwo]

Not a bad job so long as they let you wear your headphones.

[@krg038]

Its amazing that street people park on the street for free thanks to tax payers.....then they complain. Homeless will take free food everyday but offer a simple job they will turn it down.

[@robertbedard-h9t]

cali just spending money not fixing the problem i lmao everytime i watch one of these vids time to step up cali foot to ass!!!!

[@waltoneames7948]

STATE OF CALIFORNIA NEEDS TO CHECK PEOPLE OUT MORE BEFORE THEY CUT A WELFARE CHECKS TO INDIVIDUALS. ITS A WELFARE STATE PEOPLE COME FROM OTHER STATES TO PICK UP THEIR $1500 CHECKS EACH MONTH HOMELESS ARE NOT GOING ANY WHERE UNTIL THEY ARE CUT OFF

[@jenniferblane7550]

CAN THESE GUYS GO ANY SLOWER.......get a boss out their ..kick ass

[@veronicalombardi2443]

THE ONLY REASON THIS MESS IS AS IT IS … IS BECAUSE YOU, THE ‘BIG WIGS’ ALLOW IT TO BE …..

[@ksmith2852]

Now "housed" people are throwing their trash on the street. Why should anyone pay for dump fees or trash pick up? The city does free trash removal every week. This is how they make the problem worse. This is how leadership in California is under Democrats.

[@chocolatcats]

i FEEL BAD for the homeless but they live like pigs.........and leaving a dog?

[@jeffhenson1994]

lol

[@hovester]

I'm not buying the "this is all trash from the landlord" story. It all looked like homeless trash to me.