LAPD Oversees Homeless Encampment Cleanup on Venice Streets

Venice, Los Angeles - September 4, 2024 - A coordinated cleanup operation was conducted on Main Street and Speedway in Venice by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., focusing on the removal of a homeless encampment. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were on-site to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly and safely.
The effort, which involved workers in protective gear, focused on separating hazardous from non-hazardous waste to ensure a comprehensive and safe cleanup. This initiative is part of the city's ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness while improving public health and sanitation in high-traffic areas. The operation underscores the city’s focus on maintaining cleanliness and public safety while balancing compassionate responses to homelessness.
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Fabian Lewkowicz, an award-winning accredited photojournalist and press photographer based in Santa Monica, is renowned for his captivating imagery and storytelling. As the creator of Santa Monica Closeup, he draws on years of experience with local media outlets like the Santa Monica Daily Press and The Corsair to capture iconic moments in the city's history.
Santa Monica Closeup is a visual chronicle of the vibrant and diverse community of Santa Monica, brought to life through Fabian's seasoned lens. With deep roots in the city, he offers an authentic and intimate glimpse into everyday life, crafting compelling videos that resonate with both locals and visitors alike.
Fabian's photographs have been showcased in a wide range of venues, from museums and art galleries to hospitals, department stores, banks, and public institutions like fire and police stations. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, portraying everything from its breathtaking 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.

[@lightspeedmonk7108]

That old tree is truly amazing.😊

""King Osirus"" ->A Banyon Tree!

[@scottishthistle7950]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nofx77j3]

Thank you officers!

[@wesnichols]

Great to see the kindness of the officers and the respect they are showing, while at the same time making it safe for the cleaning crew considering the unpredictability of mental illness

[@Meofcourse27]

And drug choosers!😅

[@danielfrank5250]

I can’t believe all the stuff they accumulate while living on the streets

[@edwardlagrossa1246]

They get it from garbage cans!

[@worldlife9834]

I can't believe our government spends billions of dollar to give homes to foreigners meanwhile our own citizens can't afford basic healthcare.

[@edbrophy4602]

The primary change needed here is linked to reshifting the"homeless identity,'' as housing is just a basic need, not a driving force personality need. Historically, the identity of "city settlers" drove many Americans to leave home and resettle, but has since been socially deconstructed and 'unhoused' in America, despite once pioneering California's thriving livelihood.

[@GeeGee19]

Being a minimalist is probably a better option when your homeless 😂

[@monicaadams6697]

Wow,the amountvof garbage is mind blowing.😢

[@nightingaleofsorrow9349]

Imagine the cops thinking man I wanna be chasin bad guys not watching garbage being throw away! 😡

[@Devilishlybenevolent]

Chasing bad guys LMAO, this is the reality of cops, they stand around and do nothing while collecting a fat cheque from taxpayers.

[@euniceloy7120]

I think the same. Although in Anchorage Alaska, the people here voted out the parking authority, because they were overreaching by going into parking lots all over the city such as Walmart, Sam's Club and even private homes parking and giving tickets for expired tags. So now the only people that can issue parking tickets in the downtown area are police officers. I'm sure they don't like doing that.

[@nightingaleofsorrow9349]

@@Devilishlybenevolent Let’s hope most of them would want to serve and protect! There will always be a few no matter what profession who try and skate by… 🧑‍✈️👨‍🚒🎖️

[@out2fun]

They don't need 6 of them! Ridiculous!!

[@richardbowers3647]

Yeah right!!! This is way, way safer!!!

[@justinmarten3224]

all one really needs is a small compact one man tent,sleeping bag,blanket,backpack,some clothes and really thats it,not all these shopping carts full of crap that you have to constantly pack up and move,less mess less stress

[@danielfrank5250]

For reals

[@Joemma381]

Or maybe they need a job

[@patriciaanndemello4652]

That last guy really had his nerve living propped up against someone's private garage.

[@garysoykin2783]

To the police officers doesn't your back hurt after wearing those heavy belts all day long thanks for your service guys and gals

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

Thank you all crews involve . Even ifs it 100 cops around I say thank you . I miss the streets being clean . Fuck ! At least a tickle safe . So yea allll U’z I thank .

[@asullivan4047]

A much healthier & safer environment. 😉.

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

@@asullivan4047 agree . I also take public transportation too so yea it’s too much . Never turn your back in crayz . I had to learn that .

[@nancysantamarialatica1141]

@@asullivan4047 hey Sullivan take care . I mean that . Much 💚2.

[@Meofcourse27]

How do you do it Fabian?? But thanks for your work on that camera! We really apppreciate you more than you know.

[@victorespinoza8]

No need to kiss ass!!😂

[@helentratford3936]

I have to mention the amazing tree that first guy was sleeping under ….magnificent…. Could it be a Moreton bay fig ?

[@johnboggan4390]

Good video and thank you much.

[@GohAhweh]

THANK YOU LAPD❤

[@victorespinoza8]

Really ??

[@GohAhweh]

@@victorespinoza8 absolutely! why do you leave such a comment?

[@garysoykin2783]

The cleanup crew should save all the metal bicycles anything metal they ought to just throw it in a different truck it's $170 a ton and I'm sure it would add up after a 30 days or so if they have a place to put it that's some good money for the city

[@sandraking8568]

awesome footage.

[@Bond...James.Bond...007]

where do you get a garbage can with a lip to rake trash into... I've looked everywhere for one

[@angelahazel9249]

Wasn’t that Tom?

[@stop_spying_on_me]

7:15 possible historic tree being destroyed.. city needs put a fence or something

[@zenoslayer9618]

And then 2 show up in shape!

[@SamLove-l2p]

That mattress only had one stain on it. Amazing.

[@bromion5123]

I should laugh but i cannot.

""King Osirus"" Great Observation and Reporting->Fabian!

[@flanagamer]

It’s like Groundhog Day - every week they ‘clean up’ an area only for the homeless to move right back and trash the place 🙄

[@davidreed3165]

It’s getting so bad even the witches are homeless.

[@samuelvera9449]

That City land should be made into a gardening for the community. Individuals given a small area to grow what they want. This will also beautify the neighborhood. City officials must be replaced with people who can think outside the box.

[@GohAhweh]

We tried that years ago but it kept getting trashed and then different neighbors would complain and get it shut down etcetera etcetera etcetera.. ask any old local from at least 30 years ago.. we had vegetable boxes all over venice

[@bigbow62]

Its nice things are getting cleaned up, but 5 officers, really ? How 'bout 1 officer and a Jr. officer being trained... 5 officers is ridiculous ! If it was a huge group, then maybe ? ....but 5 officers walking to each area and just looking at the individual & saying w/o saying(by force if necessary) clean this mess !

[@monicaadams6697]

Good grief,how is there a nice way of doing this? Mental illness so desperately needs to be addressed!

[@jimo2665]

Was the last homeless guy with the mattress and umbrella Tom? It looks like him, he is usually on the beach on the Friday or Saturday video. He got a haircut if that is him.

[@Philk81]

15 minutes later the guy under the big tree is still packing up his junk. Crazy; cart w stroller, full bedding abandoned. Too bad the decent bike was tossed near the end...

[@MASNSEN10]

Bravo to the municipality of Santa Monica who mobilized five cops to evacuate just a simple mattress left on a sidewalk ! 😊

[@youtubepolitics4u]

Watch all them homeless run and vanish from California the minute someone starts handing out job applications.

[@bromion5123]

The big problem is how on earth can they afford to pay rent?

[@bordereau1]

That jerk leaving the dog with his crap while he left and got coffee!!!! And the goof with him. They can't care for themselves....why put the pups through it.

[@jackwilson3121]

Sleeping in front of some one's garage door takes a lot of nerve. That looks like the guy that was always sleeping in the restrooms on the beach.

[@angelahazel9249]

Tom

[@sandraking8568]

thanks again. glad you are back.

[@RosaHernandez-hj5kl]

Fabian do u know what kind that big old tree was

[@brianworthington8493]

The Venice homeless people literally don't GAF and post up blocking a person's garage. Should not be legal.

[@bobbieparker9360]

Why Does it take That Many Officers Being paid to Stand There and watch Him ! Rediculous

[@foxglovepearls]

I think two of them were FTO’s…

[@MrSamgamb]

Its sad for both the homeless and the police. Everybody has a better idea it seems, but so many of the people who are homeless do have mental health issues and we're a country that tries really hard to not FORCE people to get help. Just hope that eventually we can get it right...

[@GypsyRose5273]

Then stop giving them free everything. Clothes, food, ECT. Now they beg for handouts by live streaming on KZbin and begging for donations while they brag about how they are going to use it to support their drug and alcohol habits. I have listened to them say that they shouldn't have to do anything and we all owe them everything for nothing. I was taught that nothing in this life is free and that you want something you work for it and you pay your way in society. This is nothing new. It just keeps people from enjoying the beaches. And you can NOT force people to do what you want. There's a thing called "Free Will". Stop forcing people to do what you want, it makes people rebel and do the exact opposite of what you want. Very unproductive.

[@out2fun]

There is no way that i wouldn't lose my cool with these people taking their time to pack up their crap!!

[@zenoslayer9618]

Taxes spent well on sidewalk repair!

[@gloriagentz3904]

Even in the great depression, people had to pack up and live on the road but they took care of their own, no one had anything given to them, this is how far our govt has decayed, no one follows the law and no one is arrested for public indecency. People use to have a moral compass, most have no clue what that is.

[@edword2874]

So many cops standing around...

[@robertmartinez4174]

those people who live and pay premium Coin to live in Venice and Santa Monica shouldn't have to look at the Homeless Blight. the fact that the homeless continue to appear there is proof that they feel entitled to live in the area.

[@youtubetroll6620]

I'm not camping, I LIVE HERE!!!! BIG DIFFERENCE!!

[@kdscrapping4452]

i see the TAX dollars very hard at work!!

[@lordraydens]

that poor dog. those homeless should be charged with animal cruelty and the dogs taken to a shelter

[@shismi3222]

The shelters such as in Downey & Baldwin Park are filled to capacity with homeless animals.

""King Osirus"" ->All The Dogs Are (Re-Cycled) and Eaten As Beef @ Your Local Markets... (You) Eat Bull-Dogs... ->Class Do You Have Anymore Questions?

[@lordraydens]

@@SusanSoCal1 the homeless can't care for them. denied.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. Problem with these tent encampments is disease infested bodies/blankets from excrement/hepatitis/lice. From living in an unhealthy environment that spreads amongst the healthy population-!!!😳.

[@azdrifter51]

Not sure what you’re going with this, your governor is really trying to fix this?, your city is dying, and you guys need to stand up to fix this

[@Thunderbyrd.]

These people will walk down the street and set up camp where the officers just cleaned it up.

[@azdrifter51]

@@Thunderbyrd. where can they go? Rent the out of control in California

[@flanagamer]

@@Thunderbyrd.when you’re homeless on the street you tend to not care about rules and etiquette, trust me. I’ve been there. Plus, you don’t want to be ostracized by your peers (fellow homeless). Makes you an easy target for bullying & theft.

[@bromion5123]

I have seen on videos that this State receives billions to solve this crisis. Where does this money go?

[@azdrifter51]

@@bromion5123 to the empty dump, endless spending for nothing except they make money off it

[@sholpanbaimbetova9210]

Америка весь мир хочет жить у вас, дайте пример всем.Удачи вам.

[@rosaveliz7877]

Pobres perritos ,,no deben permitir tener a esas personas q viven en las calles,,sufren frio o calor,,hambre,,😭😭

[@Markcafl]

FIVE cops to oversee one homeless person’s 15-minute cleanup?!? Wake up Californians, this is your (high) state tax dollars at work! Ridiculous.

[@Cmss2807]

It seems as though most of these people are ready and prepared to move in a matter of minutes, knowing this will happen to them eventually.

[@bpapao]

election year, what a coincidence

[@f4ll3nzr0]

Looking at all 5 of those dressed in the uniform now I see why things are the way they are around here.

[@rgs4x]

I live in northern California. About every 2-4 months Cal trans cleans up an encampment near our city. Usually about 3 to 5, 40 yard dumpsters. Thanks taxpayers.

[@jamesgrant6439]

why is it that only Venice beach gets cleaned up, why not skid row or other places.

[@out2fun]

Why so many cops?

""King Osirus"" ->Stay Off Of My Properties!

[@myfanwymorris4083]

The female cop moving in for a better look instead of giving the man what he's got left of his dignity

[@minhluu5953]

Why do these guys have pets? Can't even take care of themselve. Feel bad for the dog.

[@shismi3222]

For protection.

[@johnwhodat8135]

They're just gonna go somewhere else. Never ending cycle.

[@jimmydean358]

You no pay taxes you no sleep on our streets !! That's what the cops are saying !!! Bad human bad human !!!

[@DONHARRISONMUSIC]

5 police Cops 👮‍♀️ at 50 a hour 400 \ 8 hours = like 2,000 dollars a day to clean up the homeless + the truck drivers and sanitation clean up workers +gas for trucks and police cars 5,000 a day

[@travisp224]

we need you all up here in bakersfield, as i do a trash walks weekly in my community and we are in the nicest part of town gated and all, but bakersfiel attracts trash and has wind, so i do a inside the gates trash pick up on my walk, and an outide the gates trash pick up every sunday, and if everyone would do there part things would be nice and clean more, and its sad, as bakersfield is heavy red and republican, and thats another reason why we have more junk and trash all over, as they dont care to fix this or the homeless problems here, so good job in la, as im from the south bya part of la keep it up and pray for us in bakersfield, and we are slowly turning it purple and will do up here! stay well all and get your update co vid shots! happy fall

[@Juana.vazquez]

gracias oficiales u s e porla tranmicion y por cada distrito y cada siudad que sigan su limpiesa ay personas u s e durmiendo entrela basura ay mascotas y personas entrela basura durmiendo chinches virus la siudad cada siudad cumpla por la ijiene y u s e personas mental los coloquen en mejor calidad de ijiene limpiesa mental personas nesesitan mejor calidad de bañarse 10 18 2024

[@alexbowser141]

5 Cops to watch city workers clean up after Bums ... now that's how to run the city ... lol

[@stalinchinguetas4805]

The longer the brainless, I mean houseless are allowed to stay in one place the more stuff they accumulate.

[@Thunderbyrd.]

How many times do they have to clean up that area? It's like they have to run people off and haul off their stuff weekly in the same spots. Good bless the workers and God bless the homeless, maybe sooner or later they will get into one of the shelters and get help.

[@shismi3222]

The shelters are operated by people even crazier than the mentally ill living in the encampments.

[@derpherpp3]

one person working 5 standing around. how are they homeless but have the best bicycles and owning pets, new clothes, and backpacks and other expensive stuff. i can't afford a huffy

[@GohAhweh]

Stolen bike

[@imjustsayin6562]

Wow! What a Rubber tree. It looks like it could eat you.@22.00

[@marigolddevera6932]

Unless. You give them place they will only be looking for another place to squat !!!!

[@fayeteater4644]

I would tell him let's move it bud .

[@Tom-jy3jd]

I see a lot of labor standing around, grab some gloves officers.

[@markldesign1]

Wtf a nice bike is gone

[@GINABULLOCK-y6w]

Poor little doggie

[@Nancy-px7hn]

Seems like multiple police officers is overkill for one homeless persons cleanup encampment. The other officers could be apprehending criminals, going after shoplifters, or doing other necessary police work.

[@texanheart]

Again and again yikes

[@gloriagentz3904]

As soon as everyone leaves, all the crud will return.

[@victorespinoza8]

The amount of money it costs to clean each “encampment” is absurd. Just imagine 5 officers standing, watching a bum pack up his/her junk? Plus dispatch, gasoline on squad cars, cleanup crews by the hour, trucks, logging of inventory, trash hauling, garbage bags, reports, so much on these ridiculous actions by our local government! These bums carry nothing but junk too! Wow 😮

[@myfanwymorris4083]

Why can't they help him standing around watching

[@marmeone]

It's so sad that homeless have invaded great neighborhoods and parks and have literally taken them over. We can't enjoy our county, city, & state parks anymore without being harrassed for money or food, or being forced out due to erratic behavior and the stench of b.o., feces, and pee!

[@hangnguyenthi5742]

Làm ơn hốt hết bọn homeless này vừa lười vừa đó không nên để họ tồn tại trên Duong phố thật là kinh khủng phải tập trung vô một hơn núi xa thật xa thành phố mới ok

[@goaheadmakemyday9859]

These are pure drifters cause it is imposable not to be able to find a job in the US if these inmigrantes can do it then anyone can do it to.

[@shismi3222]

They're bums who collect a monthly social security payment for being being addicted to drugs, alcohol, etc.

[@Patrick-wb8pp]

Stop dumping on Venice!

[@Obdela-e1b]

Porque no linpian delarbol cortarle las ramas questan colgando itodo loseco itodas las hojas recojerlas que cede limpio ❤

[@saythankyou111]

Ohh this expense gets old…..😏🇺🇸

[@bordereau1]

These folks pay alot for apartments.....they don't want this go8ng on in the lot

[@Meofcourse27]

Kinda late in the day to start looking for a job, ain't it?

[@Meofcourse27]

What a miserable detail for a law enforcement person to be on. The SMELL!!

[@gloriagentz3904]

This guy is so hung over he can hardly function!

[@fayeteater4644]

Well if they would get it clean they may let them stay that just show how nasty they are i bet they where that nasty when they did have a house some homeless people are clean but there is alot of nasty homeless people that just don't care so I don't feel sorry for them at all they could get a job if they clean there self up .

[@monomarino5349]

5 cops to protect 2 trash collectors. Not the best use of manpower.

[@LinuxLogic1997]

Safety in numbers. One or two cop may embolden some unstable person to fight.

[@lcfflc3887]

Insane

[@lordraydens]

let's see you do better, bub

[@flanagamer]

@@LinuxLogic1997that’s why they have tasers/OC spray/guns. 😅

[@FabianMark-v3b]

Why don't the officers help him? Not very culture.

[@shismi3222]

The city/county could get sued if a law enforcement was accused of damage or loss of property.

[@gloriagentz3904]

That's not what cops are responsible for, these people make the trash, they should have to pick it up, then they can go somewhere else and make the mess all over again, drugs and druggie everywhere.

[@timlabell]

Over a half a million dollars in 👮‍♂️👮cops watching a homeless person pack up. 🤷

[@gloriagentz3904]

Now we're suppose to give them a place, how about your place!

[@marigolddevera6932]

So. Where Do those homeless will stay after you clean up the area?! They will roam around then they will be squatting somewhere!!

[@bigbob16]

Did they finally run out of yellow caution tape▶️⏩️⏭️▶️⏩️⏭️