Demolished: Tiny Home of Homeless Individual in Venice Cleanup Operation

Venice, Los Angeles - April 3, 2024: On Wednesday, a tiny home located on the 700 block of Marr Street in Venice, belonging to an individual experiencing homelessness, was demolished. The resident of the tiny home was absent during the operation.
This action is part of a coordinated initiative by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., underlining the city's dedicated efforts to address homelessness while maintaining high standards of public cleanliness and health.
Adhering to strict safety protocols, workers donned in white hazardous materials suits undertook the cleanup operation. Community members were informed 48 hours in advance through distributed notices about the operation, urging the removal of personal belongings from the area. These notices highlighted that items left unclaimed would be collected by city personnel.
The operation represented a joint effort between the Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., with personnel identifiable in yellow and orange vests, respectively. Their primary task was to differentiate and properly dispose of hazardous from non-hazardous waste, ensuring a comprehensive cleanup.
Significant support was provided by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which played a crucial role in delivering outreach services to the homeless community in preparation for the cleanup.
The successful execution of this initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various city departments, spearheaded by Councilwoman Traci Park's Housing Liaison Coordinator and the dedicated participation of the homeless encampment task force.
Throughout the operation, Los Angeles Police Officers were on-site to ensure compliance and safeguard the sanitation workers, emphasizing the operation's commitment to security and orderly conduct.'
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Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning Santa Monica-based professional photojournalist and 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 exhibited 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) 2024 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.

[@lucyheath9281]

All those police standing around and notone had the respect to save the AMERICAN FLAG

[@HollywoodConnection-JAST]

The American flag is not as respectable these days because the only time its seen flown is at MAGA related events.

[@karenkollects9277]

That’s tells you all you need to know about California!! I agree absolutely disgraceful for it to go in the garbage but unfortunately the mass majority feel that way I’m that state!! The sickness in our society is shameful. My Grandfather, Uncles, and friends fought for that flag. Two were injured at Pearl Harbor. Disgraceful that not one of them saved that beautiful American Flag. Born and raised in Portland Oregon and am moving to TN. This place is godless and continues to decline rapidly. Governor just signed bill to recriminalize drugs. Let that one sink in. We have to make a law to criminalize drugs! We have so many homeless on fentanyl now and they can get anything they want. Pot dispensaries every other block. Very sad .

[@kqr573v2]

@@karenkollects9277 That's a mighty broad brush you paint 40 million Americans with. News flash, they're not all the same. With that many people (1/8th the population of the entire US), you can find examples of any kind of people. Meanwhile, back in reality, CA has more active duty military than any other state by far, also the most mil vet and retired military residents of any state.

[@andrearathbun]

Not suppose to put the American flag in the garbage.

[@EightyNyne-sx6of]

Govt did when Nixon removed gold standard.

[@jesseevangelista2422]

At least this person kept it clean and not so trashy like other homeless people and what a disgrace to trash the American flag like that 😢

[@User0000000000000004]

yeah, that's some very orderly garbage there.

[@HollywoodConnection-JAST]

the trashiest of all people fly the american flag...they cant live clean but the associate themselves with a less than respectable flag that is only seen around MAGA events these days

[@paulsuprono7225]

​@@User0000000000000004LOW, this MIA homeless person . . . has NOTHING ! 💀 🇺🇸 👎

[@Frankie-fv1wk]

Wow exactly what I thought🇺🇸🐶

[@PauloHernandezXD]

@@User0000000000000004It’s like hoarders. There some people that collect newspapers or trinkets & have them stacked to the ceiling, but they’ve established paths & know where everything is. Meanwhile others have piles of 20 year old clothes & animal feces piled all over the place that you’re literally forced to walk in it to get from one doorway to another. And the toilets been broken & full of brown water for 5 years.

[@paulvasquez1200]

Throwing the American flag in the garage like that without removing it first was worse than people stomping or burning it, what a disgrace

[@PauloHernandezXD]

Perfect representation of America in the 21st Century, disposable. It’s a shame :(

[@epoh8698]

First thing i thought when waching this. Oh wow how sad then the flag what a disgrace and im not even in usa.

[@panamint]

It's nice to know that out of the forty or so City workers, people from the different homeless organizations, and LAPD present today, not one held their hand up to stop the loader operator so someone could take the American Flag out of the trash. The Homeless person living on the street in the building that they tore down had more respect for our flag than anyone else standing there with their hands in their pockets. Pretty sad.

[@heehaw8401]

Many, many people do not know the protocol of disposing of a flag. Sad but true.

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

🙏 amen🇺🇸

[@spicoli420forever]

fitting minions just trash the american flag ... i remember a time when such a thing would get you...

[@PauloHernandezXD]

Yeah, in the olden days. Now the world in the 21st century is a faceless & automated conglomeration.

[@davidreed3165]

Putting our flag in the trash was sickening. Those workers should have known better.

[@soccerboy22100]

yea your not suppose to just throw away the American flag like that sanitation department.. one of those police officers should have taken there eyes off there phones for a minute and rescued that American flag..shame on all of you including the guy doing this video, that none of them stopped it...

[@googleuser144]

Totally agree.

[@cryptothedawg1160]

Throwing out the American Flag

[@BarryWinner2075]

That one homeless person created 50 high paying city worker jobs.

[@EightyNyne-sx6of]

See why they need it

[@EightyNyne-sx6of]

Cause those shills in suits have no creativity. They are zombies with no soul

[@tkearns4388]

Unreal that they would trash the American flag like that. And cops nearby just stand there watching. Most likely this was a veteran's home. Meanwhile, illegal immigrants get free room and board, free health, free this and that.

[@mCube.Network]

I'm sitting here in disbelief. I watched this video waiting for somebody to stop those workers and rescue that flag. Im screaming at those cops through my tv! They should surrender their badges.. Im almost sure that house belonged to a vet by the way he hung that flag.

[@sparky427]

WAS NOT A VETRIN HOME!!!

[@sweetsongstress7398]

And they bring their own flags! 🇲🇽

[@marcocontreras7647]

It is a sad an unfair situation... The reason why it appears that immigrants are getting hand outs it's because the immigrants coming into this country are usually in their 20's and 30's and they will be working the many jobs that Americans will not do thus keeping the engine running if you will. Meanwhile the vet's are usually much older and they are not putting into the system but taking away....In other words don't blame immigrants for the incompetence's of this government.

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

A Representation of what's happening to our country 😞RIP 🇺🇲

[@johnruvolis874]

Did they trash the flag ? Really ?

[@Megladong]

who cares. We allow Biden to destroy our country everyday like a bunch of cowards.

[@HeadNtheClouds]

I know, that’s crazy!

[@davesandlin2145]

Yea, not one of these shit pickers have the ambition to at least fold the flag and put it up til they get to an Amvets or such to dispose of it.

[@judyholland7236]

I'm disappointed in the police officers. One of them could have taken the flag and folded it, dropped it off at the local American Legion to dispose of properly. Shame on them.

[@user-lu1xp4ze8w]

Remember, they are "Reimagining America"

[@davesandlin2145]

You got to be kidding, they just trashed the American flag..

[@user-mz3ne8fk4g]

Biden trashes the entire country everyday and none of us do anything like a bunch of cowards. Who tf cares about a flag.

[@mavenzrose5151]

Drones don't get paid to think or care.

[@explorations40]

Yikes they trashed our American flag yikes really bad.

[@gcrauwels941]

Sgt Mighty Mouse and her crew, the LAHSA apsos, just standing around while the cleanup crew throws away stolen items. Week after week. Month after month.

[@marvinvannoy7633]

It probably would have gone differently if it were a Mexican flag or a pride flag. Disgusting behavior!

[@sparky427]

THAT WAS THE GREATEST VIDEO EVER .... WISH YOU WOULD HAVE HUNG OUT TO SEE THEM COME BACK!!

[@Allisonswonderland247]

Why doesn’t someone move all these people to Slab City where it is LEGAL to have your own area and build on it for FREE!?!?!?!?

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

Many homeless people have jobs. You can't dump them in the middle of nowhere. There aren't any banks, hospitals, stores and many have therapy appointments. I worked 2 years as a homeless case manager. 2/3'rds of these people have a real life. They just can't afford housing. They're just trying to survive.

[@user-lu1xp4ze8w]

Liability

[@sunsensational]

My guess is they’re so far gone mentally/drug addicted that they couldn’t even organize that move. Additionally, summer there are pretty harsh when they could have the perfect 70° weather year-round near the beach

[@Allisonswonderland247]

@@user-lu1xp4ze8w In what way?

[@daveobrien6797]

No free resources out there.

[@zenoslayer9618]

How long has the city watch this get built and just kept on riding by. Years?

[@yeeluvspizza]

Until they finally had enough.Someone new in leadership came in and implemented an actionable plan. Watch the action unfold on you tube. GLORIOUS.

[@stace7685]

Wow. Only in Komifornia would they do that to the flag.

[@josemosqueda3273]

If it were a rainbow flag they would of folded it nice nd neat ....

[@AStanton1966]

If it had been the Mexican flag, the operator of that tractor may have ended up in the juzcado!

[@LeeTheVet]

Shame on them for not disposing of that FLAG properly. I sincerely hope this individual gets the help they need.

[@user-bi5fu6me4r]

He's been there since 2019.He kept it neat and orderly.And then somebody moved A homeless drug addict that didn't keep the area so nice. in across the street in the last few months and it was too much for the neighborhood but he was there 4 5 years

[@francesrooney2802]

Wow there very crueal what happen to the person

[@sunsensational]

Thanks for the comment. Very interesting. Yea this guy did keep seem to keep a clean ship albeit not legal in the slightest.

[@user-bi5fu6me4r]

He was the best of the worst​@@sunsensational

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

And just like that, The American Flag, thrown away, be it on a shack or mansion, The American Dream is officially dead. RIP 🇺🇸

[@greenie75]

Definitely symbolic of the state of the nation :(

[@christineliebke1882]

I can’t believe not even pd thought to remove the flag…This is really sad. The person in the shelter has more respect than all of them standing there.

[@user-px8lx9dp6h]

I don't understand why homeless people don't just have only one blanket and one backpack full of clothes and stuff roaming around from place to place just like i do. 😢

[@davesandlin2145]

I was homeless one summer. Had a garbage bag full of clean clothes in back seat, bag of dirty in the trunk and blanket, pillow and small cooler in front. Never thought of getting this much shit out of the dump and messing with it.

[@Allisonswonderland247]

Should have had a yard sale…there’s some good stuff there!

[@user-ky3pc2zd7e]

Didn't pay his property tax.

[@sandrajordan9653]

If the city was going to do something like this, why did they wait until the situation got to this point to do anything? That just didn’t pop up overnight.

[@sweetsongstress7398]

Hhhmmm… why the flag?🥹

[@rogerbrendabowman4808]

20. Men standing around 4 or 5 actually working. Typical Americans. And they really respect our country don’t they???? 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😢

[@Coffee240]

Bye bye Miss America Pie, 😢🇺🇸 impressive less than a hour, great job. 👍 thanks clean up crew.

[@kimstone6764]

These homeless need to pay for all the resources spend on this crap, deduct it from the Disability, food stamps, SSI , they need to be accountable for thinking they can put shit on public streets

[@heehaw8401]

I spoke to three homeless people in Tennessee. None of them were receiving services because they had no birth certificate and no ID of any kind. None of them was motivated to find out what they needed to do to get these things. They were content living on the streets with no responsibility and happy they weren’t paying taxes. Not kidding.

[@greenie75]

I wonder if the person vacated with their personal possessions? Or was everything they owned just disposed of?

[@Allisonswonderland247]

So you can’t burn the flag but you can bulldoze it into a garbage truck????? Somebody’s going to hell!

[@SlothsTV]

An utterly moronic move on their part.

[@my805life4]

The flag should have been folded a fire made the size of the flag everybody says pledge of allegiance as flag burns. The last place you ever want to see our flag is in the trash that is the lowest point for the flag to be. Shocking how all of these cops and city desk jockeys and pencil pushers would let the flag be handled in the lowest form. In some places that would have caused possibly more problems than the guys home being destroyed. And now it will be quickly brushed off as another homeless headache gone but I will not sleep good tonight. I am a Veteran and have rescued 3 flags just like that one however I explained to the people how you should dispose of the flag properly. Those cops and any government workers who were present should make a public apology and try to find a better way of cleaning the streets of known people who are not a problem makes me sick how so many cops just do not get what the flag represents for them. If you did not have that flag you would not be getting paid money watching a bunch of grown men acting like they just saved the world.

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

Yes the news should pick up this news story, how disgraceful!!🇺🇸🙏

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

Thank you for your service , so sorry they did that so disrespectful to all of our veterans who have fought for our country 🇺🇸🩵( my father and both grandfathers were veterans so sad!

[@judyholland7236]

Shame on those LAPD officers watching them bulldoze the American flag....I would think they were taught better than that. Most of them are veterans themselves. My comment keeps getting deleted 😕

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

No it’s so true, I know 💯 percent of the sheriffs were standing there they wouldn’t let that happen 🇺🇸

[@jocknomore]

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

[@VeniceEveryday]

I can't picture the address. Where was this?

[@Tammy121111]

😂 THAT GOVERNOR ISN'T VERY SMART

[@zenoslayer9618]

Wow there's my kids bike and my walker

[@judyholland7236]

LMAO!!😆

[@user-kg6wr6qq3h]

a lot of people standing around doing nothing

[@ThomasNappo]

THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS..TO GET RID OF THIS TINY HOUSE

[@m.p.1310]

How long did it take for the person to accumulate all this mess before it was cleaned up?

[@sunsensational]

Someone said the guy been there since 2019, and because he kept it clean the neighbors didn’t complain. But then some homeless drug addict moved in near him and it was too much and they called the cops.

[@m.p.1310]

Thank you for that answer. It's terrible to be let allowed for so long.@@sunsensational

[@Frankie-fv1wk]

I can’t believe they just threw the American flag 🇺🇸 away like that and I’m just a big puppy named Frankie 🐶🐾🌲🙏

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

The SHERIFFS would have never let them throw an American Flag 🇺🇸 away like that oh my goodness I do not believe it!!!!

[@Frankie-fv1wk]

Yeah exactly that’s why Venice was cleaned in the first place because Villa Nueva came and did it who was the head of the Sheriffs 😇👼🐣🙏🐾💋💚🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Zombywoof92553]

They let Daisy slide?

[@thealliedspy4170]

She just talks their ear off and they eventually get annoyed and leave

[@AStanton1966]

In my town, which is in a blue state, you may need--depending on the situation--a health permit, a building permit, a zoning permit, and maybe a wet-land's permit---whew!

[@cyclingoptions9007]

That the way it is for most of us here in California too. Building is expensive and complicated, these vagrant encampments are allowed to play by different rules than us taxpayers.

[@sandib4234]

All that junk! Time to go!!

[@aquatecpoolservice4547]

And still no mental health facilities available for these poor people. Sad.

[@judyholland7236]

City/Government officials want to keep the revolving door going, so to speak, as it keeps the social workers, cleanup crew, etc. all employed. Follow the $$$$$. Yes, it is very sad.

[@jamesfra48]

I hope they have enough people there.

[@andrewmarshall360]

I didn’t fall off the turnip truck

[@MrGbutter]

Whoever needs to be arrested for causing this much junk for the city to clean-up.

[@judyholland7236]

I guess if that was a rainbow flag it wouldn't have been trashed. I'm disappointed in the police officers. One of them could have taken the flag and folded it, dropped it off at the local American Legion to dispose of properly. Shame on them.

[@CalamityJane-ob4dh]

Exactly

[@birdyatcha1303]

This is so sad. People always gotta be fkn with others!

[@anonymousgirl799]

Prayers to this person...all their worldly possessions gone, will be further devastating. This makes me angry....

[@robertjeremy9147]

THIS IS TRUELY A FELONY OR A CRIME TO GET A TINY HOUSE ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? THIS DEMOLISHIN' WAS ABSOLUTLY MEAN !!!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonwinter8716]

Ahh the sights, sounds and smells of a sanctuary city.

[@zenoslayer9618]

The owner works at McDonald's making 20 bucks an hour

[@findawayormakeaway8857]

Came back from his $20.00 an hour job smelling of French fry grease to a empty curb!

[@heehaw8401]

@@findawayormakeaway8857surely he got a notice that clean up was coming.

[@tomasznobilec6853]

F....... comifornia !!!!!!!

[@victoriablicharski8308]

did they just trash a American flag is there not laws against that ?

[@cathtf7957]

Do you think he'll build back better ?

[@CaptApple]

Their treatment of the flag got me a bit bent but freedom of expression is a thing even if it's just thoughtlessness.

[@sunsensational]

Glad they are cleaning things up. But I would be lying If I didn’t say I kind of felt bad for this guy. He kept a clean ship, and was not the eyesore of your typical homeless encampment. Seems like the guy was probably doing odd jobs and productive. Obviously not allowed to just build your own little shack on the road but nonetheless

[@christophermims9251]

I know it's California but don't do that to the flag. The taxpayer paid them to do that to the flag.

[@alimcally279]

There was some stolen things in that heap that I'm sure the owners would be happy to have back. The American flag in the dumpster, shame in you guys! But its California. They have money yo have the nicest sanitation trucks, trash trucks, and high dollar machinery yet can't figure out what to do with their homeless and beach bathrooms/hotels for the homeless.

[@992001jeffr]

Calling it a “tiny home” still doesn’t make it a legal residence.

[@waltoneames7948]

Should the built downtown on the steps of CITY HALL no one sees nothing any way so what

[@marcusmoebliu2156]

Good job Thanks you, 😄😊🦺🛻🚚🚧super great videos of the little garbage trucks, more of the videos please, also long ones from 30 minutes and more

[@waltoneames7948]

How can they build put up a tiny home .no one sees anything what every ones blind there, what

[@jimihendrix5576]

Good thing officer Jelly Rolls was there in case someone started throwing doughnuts.

[@Mushymush1]

I see what you did with the American flag going in the garbage. It's unfortunate what is happening to the West.

[@VeniceEveryday]

I see a lot of comments about the destruction of the American flag. I wish you would all help me in trying to get Recreation and Parks in Venice to replace the American flag on the Boardwalk at Windward when it's tattered and necessary.

[@zenoslayer9618]

Where is the owner or may i say collector. Its Sanford and sons grandson

[@RoeVenturesLLC]

16:59 how did HR miss this taxable domicile? Great stuff in and around that tiny home 🏠. Wowwzer that’s the USA 🇺🇸 flag what they did to it? This is still America 🇺🇸 ya know✌🏻

[@Allisonswonderland247]

The jaws of death!

[@crogers3783]

very shameful, your house will be next.........

[@Undertaker3041]

Now that’s a home wrecker 😂😂

[@mbaker8754]

Is house the lady building desy

[@evekov1233]

Where's crazy Daisy 🤪

[@rosaspanjol673]

Where is Daisy?…what about her so called tiny house?

[@CalamityJane-ob4dh]

You could have at least respected our country's flag. Just shows the world that you lack respect for your country. But you have to deal with that, good luck.

[@williamsedlock3903]

There is definitely some skilled trade going on there😂

[@l.a.210]

Surely they offered the poor bloke housing 😶

[@keithcrampton1438]

IF WE COULD ALL LEARN HOW TO WORK TOGETHER WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS GARBAGE NONSENSE!

[@Taurean-ty3fh]

Putting the American flag in the trash 🇺🇸😡 shame on them. They must work for the Democrats 😡✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼🇺🇸

[@williamsedlock3903]

Look at the head on that😂😂

[@warpedhead5421]

Flag really burns my arse, no more respect in this country.......

[@user-lu1xp4ze8w]

Reimagining

[@dionkraft6782]

SORRY THE US FLAG WAS TRASHED AS IT COULD BE CONTAMINATED AS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE AT THE SITE.

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

They have gloves on

[@euniceloy7120]

Makes me wonder, where they are going to build there tax free home next, because you know there going to do it.

[@user-wc4uh4rl3z]

Daisy is fine as wine 🍷 😘🌹🙏🇺🇲

[@Alaskan454]

KEEP THE FLAG AND THE OAK CHAIR….all the rest does in the city dump

[@easynovember5423]

Including all the municipal employee's for dishonoring the colors!!

[@AZdpurtle]

Sadly that beautiful American flag is part of a hazardous human waste problem, no one wants human waste to be saved, you ought to be more concerned about the stolen pieces of property the person erected it on & how it thinks it can park it on the street in your neighborhood. Get a grip folks! Your priorities are skewed.

[@TheDerrty111]

Damn L.A cops are getting older and Fatter!

[@zenoslayer9618]

He could have gotton a job at an art studio or home decor store

[@seagal60]

Saddened Fabian said nothing to the workers about saving the US flag and just recorded its demise😞😥

[@1946luke]

If they'd come by more often, before the vagrants had time to drag all that trash & junk in, that would work.

[@timmansfield1061]

Out of all them people there none grab flag

[@williamsedlock3903]

Is it me or as most people in California overpaid and overweight they don't seem to put a whole lot of effort in to their movements😂😂😂 kind of just mope around😂

[@larrygarcia2531]

All drugs

[@TheBlackbelair]

Veni. Vidi. Vici.