Venice Beach Cleanup: A Collaborative Effort to Address Homelessness and Sanitation

Venice, Los Angeles - May 3, 2024: On Friday, a significant cleanup operation was conducted at Venice Beach, targeting a local homeless encampment with the involvement of a multi-agency task force. This team comprised members from the Los Angeles Police Park Rangers, the Los Angeles Police Department, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and the office of Councilwoman Traci Park.
The operation was safely and efficiently managed with the presence of Los Angeles Police Officers and Park Rangers. It marked a concerted effort among the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc. Team members donned protective gear to sort and appropriately dispose of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
This cleanup is part of the City of Los Angeles' broader strategy to address homelessness while improving public health and sanitation. It underscores the city’s commitment to addressing these pressing urban challenges.
Additionally, the initiative at Venice Beach includes weekly maintenance of beach restrooms, which are often used as shelters by homeless individuals. This effort aims to enhance public facilities and directly tackle homelessness issues. LAHSA plays a crucial role during these operations by providing support services including food, water, and hygiene kits, reflecting a compassionate approach to the crisis.
Notably, no citations for public camping violations were issued during this cleanup, indicating the city's preference for supportive over punitive measures.
This cleanup is part of a series of ongoing actions, including regular Friday cleanups along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, all under the supervision of Los Angeles Park Rangers. These initiatives are essential components of the city’s comprehensive strategy to maintain cleanliness and safety while addressing the root causes of homelessness. Effective coordination by Councilwoman Traci Park continues to be crucial, highlighting a balanced and humane approach to these challenges.
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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
This video is intended solely for personal use. Any form of copying, re-uploading, sampling or other unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
(C) 2024 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.

[@jimo3393]

The German in Venice released a video today about closing his business on the Venice boardwalk. He talked about tourism being down. This is why. Homeless people are everywhere, and most are mentally ill, drug addicted or both. Who wants to go on vacation and see this. The homeless problem, the economy, and the crime all contribute to the lack of tourists.

[@claudedalton8970]

THIS CAN BE FIXED! CALIFORNIANS, VOTE IN AS GOVERNOR, A TRUE CONSERVATIVE, LIKE *LARRY ELDER* TO GET YOUR STATE GOING AGAIN. AND A MUST VOTE IS FOR SAVING THE NATION THIS YEAR IS: *DONALD J. TRUMP 2024!* IT'S THAT SIMPLE TO GET THE BALL ROLLING BACK TO NORMALITY! OTHERWISE ROT INTO SOCIALISM THEN COMMUNISM WITH A DICTATOR LIKE *OBIDEN!* THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT, CALIFORNIA!

[@HareKrsnaHareRama]

It's by designed to keep everyone stressed-out and in fear!

[@MichaelSmiff1969]

yall voted for it

[@kbron3250]

@@claudedalton8970 Trump is not fixing anything peoples.

[@claudedalton8970]

@@HareKrsnaHareRama THE ONLY ONES IN FEAR ARE THOSE IN BLUE STATES/CITIES! "TRY THAT IN A SMALL *RED* TOWN!"

[@cherylculbertson9414]

They need to open back up mental hospitals

[@SuperDanMega]

That old man just waiting for his "room" to get cleaned up 💩😷😁🙊👹😈😖☠️🙈🤪

[@judyholland7236]

You are absolutely right & I totally agree with you.

[@LeeTheVet]

Yep! There's one here in Norwalk, L.A. County, abandoned, but still there. Has a security crew there though because it would be taken over by the homeless, etc.

[@judyholland7236]

@@LeeTheVet LOL! sorry can't help but laugh

[@DonFarmer-hq5sw]

@@SuperDanMegahe’s a regular, I wonder if he has to fight for his special room ?

[@garymay42]

The dude in the fish net stockings trying out for one flew over the koo koo nest part 2

[@_Babs_1960]

Wasn't his outfit the best! 😅

[@Philk81]

A real drama queen!

[@_Babs_1960]

@@Philk81 He was one French fry short of a happy meal!!!

[@JamesCrisp-iq4cs]

The cross-dressing Tarzan wannabe😂

[@susanledger]

HYSTERICAL.

[@MIck-M]

I'd like to see a kind hearted local vet/s get together and give voluntary basic vet care to the dogs that accompany some of these people. Homelessness is complicated - doggos are not 🐕

[@jimmyneck2854]

It is always sad to see a homeless person with a dog because the dog or animal is their only companion and they give a lot of emotional support but many times they don't have enough food and yes they are not cared for properly so it would be wonderful to have voluntary veterinarians come out there

[@Berserker4999]

happy to see them tackling the situation.. good job keep it up!

[@4shev]

these people with the shopping carts should be arrested for receiving stolen property!

[@TheMetalFunkAllStars]

You're Right! Confiscate the Stolen Cart, and Everything in it becomes part of the Theft! Trash, or Not! Otherwise they are back with the Same Cart Full of Trash!

[@EssGeeSee]

I am a British citizen. 3 times in my life I have applied to emigrate to the United States, the country I love, and been refused. How do you think this makes me feel?

[@rbfarrell1]

Yup, 15 million came across the border illegally in the last 3 years. And they all have their hands out looking for free stuff.

[@musicismagic5074]

What was the reason?

[@defpixel]

Daisy must've over slept at her moms house this morning....

[@_Babs_1960]

Maybe she was asleep in one of her houses on wheels! 😂

[@claudedalton8970]

YEP! TOO MUCH "YOGA" LAST NITE, HUH?

[@xtinamarie_333]

She lives one block from the beach in Venice 👍

[@claudedalton8970]

@@xtinamarie_333 SHE HAS IT MADE, UNLIKE THE WORKING TAXPAYERS OF THE USA!

[@xtinamarie_333]

@@claudedalton8970 And so do I, so, thanks !!! Keep working that grinding rat race 🤪

[@Berserker4999]

thank you!

[@luba7490]

Love these clean up videos, all that garbage and trash eaten by a beautiful garbage truck, very satisfying to watch, thank you

[@RoeVenturesLLC]

21:58 They clean and people go right back inside.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@adventures32]

Yikes again and again the homeless problem keeps on going I don’t know why the state wastes money these services for the homeless they don’t want the help to get off the streets but most of the homeless need to bring back mental hospitals most of them can’t function in society

[@JOSH2625]

You didn't put a single mark of punctuation in that sentence but are here giving advice lol.

[@TheMetalFunkAllStars]

Most of them probably don't want to be off the Streets!

[@jolenescribner7476]

I begg to differ. A great number of these people do want very much to get off the streets. The problem is there is absolutely nowhere for them to go. When you hear the outreach teams ask if the want help to get into housing what happens is they just take down the person's name, number if they have one, and the location where they made contact, that's it! It's not like if they say yes they are wisked away somewhere off the streets, it doesn't work like that. Plus many of them are so disappointed and tired of being lied to or let down with the promise of help they just don't say yes anymore because they already have their information 10 times over. In LA county there are more then 75,000 homeless on the streets. The shelters are full, they do not give out hotel vouchers anymore, even if they did those places are full. The rehabs are full with at least a 6 month wait for a bed to become available due to the only options are one that except MediCal and those are few and far between. You are correct, there are a number of mentally ill people on the streets that desperately need help but, sadly as with everything else, there are no openings for that either. If there where some place, any place for them to go where to be indoors and safe the large number of people you see would not be returning every night to sleep next to a beach toilet.

[@albertchiu655]

over democracy !

[@DavidStarr-eg2kv]

These people will never be what you hope they'll be. Productive!!! Only a burden

[@chrisszpila5356]

I can't even guess what it costs to clean one block of restrooms. There are a half dozen guys picking up trash, a garbage truck and driver, one guy filming, a haz-mat crew, a couple park rangers, a couple sheriffs, four community outreach workers and what looks like a supervisor overseeing the whole operation, only to have the same group of mental patients shuffle back in an hour to trash it all over again. Help me make it make sense.

[@lesjones5684]

Man that bathroom 🚽 is my dream house 🏠 😅😅😅😅

[@gcrauwels941]

Slow morning at the Poo n' Pee Penthouses. Pretty soon LAHSA won't have anything to do. 🙄

[@jamesfra48]

Thats fine with them. They do not want to help people. These poor souls are lost and badly need help.

[@paulinejuarez3115]

Well, they’re taking over those restrooms too, and have the nerve to say what once somebody’s knocking no consideration they’re not doing that bad that’s awful. They need to be told to leave evacuate they don’t own nothing just like we don’t owe nothing here. He’s a grown people.

[@Haven2U]

Where does it take the presence of a dozen armed officers to clean the restrooms? Prison and Venice Beach.

[@TheMetalFunkAllStars]

The Homeless people walk out of sight until the Clean Up Crew leaves then they go back in the same Restrooms! Duh!

[@ronwade2206]

Here come the hoppers, Soylent green is people!!!

[@judyholland7236]

sounds about right

[@MultiFloyde]

Kudos to LA Department Of Sanitation !!!!

[@HareKrsnaHareRama]

Bike-shopping cart-baby buggy combination, wins the weekly hoarder vehicle prize of the week!

[@timhenson9190]

I can’t figure out why they don’t lock the bathrooms at night duh

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Or use flashing lights and loud sounds

[@arribaficationwineho32]

Continue the effort

[@Patrick-wb8pp]

Update: 5/7/24- CD-11's Traci Park gave a news conference this morning at VB requesting City Council approve her measure to add more Ambassadors at our disgusting, dangerous and transient infested public OFW beach restrooms. THEY NEED TO BE CLOSED FROM DUSK TILL DAWN TO KEEP HOMELESS OUT!!!!

[@MrMrgarmor]

So so sad in our country we can't figure out how to help these lost souls even after billions of dollars to homeless groups, but we can provide all kinds of stuff for illegal immigrants and aid to so many other countries never mind the wars we fund.

[@TheOlmecindian]

Do they do this everyday ???

[@TheMetalFunkAllStars]

Every Week!

[@claudedalton8970]

YEP! ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, GAVIN, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO LOOK GOOD. MY GUESS IS, IT WILL END AFTER THE ELECTION.

[@Tomahawk588]

Whenever I get home from work and think how shitty my life is I click on SMC links and thank god that I have a normal life.

[@JamesCrisp-iq4cs]

Lazy Daisy getting behind on her duties😂

[@blackoutmike]

Imagine the stench in the restrooms from the homeless... they never shower or wash they clothes.. they reek we had a guy move into one of our rooms and he was previously homeless and even tho he had a shower and a laundry he never showered or did laundry! He reeked!! Hes room was like when they open those doors. They like it.

[@jolenescribner7476]

It's wrong to say every homeless person doesn't shower or wash their clothes. That's like saying every black person does this or everyone with blonde hair does that. You are stairio typing an entire group of people. It sounds to me that the individual you are referring to is suffering from mental illness and not due to him being previously homeless. Not to mention, a lot of the homeless do not have access to hot showers or laundry phycilitys but they do their best with what is available to them and have become quite crafty. I suggest before you start insulting a entire group of people you stop and think about what you are saying. So many of these vulnerable people have absolutely nowhere to go, I mean they are sleeping in bathrooms for crying out loud, where are they to have use of what so many of us take for granted, like hot water.

[@jamesfra48]

I have never seen in these videos the usage of soap/disinfectant water in cleaning the restrooms. Blood everywhere from people shooting up.

[@wooster2452]

I wonder if anyone’s ever been brave enough to actually use (gulp!) the toilet as a toilet?

[@heehaw8401]

Nice fishnets.

[@williamschlenger1518]

We don't have this problem in New Jersey,we have winter 😃

[@JCcreates927]

Funny they have a huge homeless population in Utah and it gets crazy cold there.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

@@JCcreates927same n NYC

[@00vTv00]

I am surprised to see all these Stanford and Berkeley students living so lavishly.

[@lesjones5684]

At least they can shit and have water 💦 to drink 😂😂😂

[@Justin-j6u]

I'm homeless and the beach is the only place I can use the bathroom and 🚿 shower.😢 I stay around Santa Monica Beach area for a couple of days and then I ride the bus to the Valley for a few weeks and then I just go back to the beach again. It's a sad life but that's why I hope and pray 🙏 EVERYDAY for an Asteroid to smash this planet 🌎. - the end.

[@Dane-o7q]

Daisy lookin pretty tore back today!

[@gatekeeperkane6732]

Guy with the dress on was the highlight of this one. Hope he sticks around for more filming.

[@TwinSister1957]

He drinks Bud Light

[@rbfarrell1]

Notice the city employee walk? Much slower then a private company employee. A private company would have bid the job and cleaned the whole beach by 12 noon.

[@sylvianorton8219]

Are all the shopping carts these people have donated to them or do they just feel the right to take them from the stores. ?..

[@singaanom3305]

Your toilet should be dismantled and redesigned taking into account its primary function and preventing it from becoming a residential area. From year to year, there is no intention to prevent the function of toilets being used as residences. As a human you must learn, not be ignorant.

[@Justin-j6u]

We need chess table's again for chess park in Santa Monica Beach.😢

[@paddy9449]

Who cleans the used needles from the beach?

[@ksmith2852]

What a waste of our taxes to pay all of these people to do nothing.

[@mrbigsausage6918]

You know I hate seeing people without a home but then with the cost of living I do at times think I would be better of being homeless without all the expense of living honestly

[@GOPETSCOOTER]

Another week.

[@AStanton1966]

The city/county needs to blast classical music at night so the bums won't sleep there. Or perhaps MPR.

[@kayfurlano1462]

Progress, there used to be I a lot of locked doors with homeless people locked in for the night. Not so many anymore.

[@alimcally279]

What a disgusting beach. Gotta love the teal colored trash trucks though.

[@ltcolumbo9708]

So cute. You come here often?

[@lesjones5684]

What’s wrong with this picture 😂😂😂

[@rollyherrera623]

What a disgrace; Way too many city employees standing around!!! Tax payers should be livid!

[@jackwilson3121]

Tom must have a long term lease.

[@_Babs_1960]

Yep Wonder where he bought the bicycle at.....I mean who did he steal the bicycle from?

[@Taurean-ty3fh]

At 24:04) this dude wearing fishnet stockings LooksThe Silence of the Lambs" kinda guy 😆😂 It rubs the lotion on it's skin or else the Cops get's the hose again, 😆😂😂😂💦🫡😓 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💧💦💦

[@jackwilson3121]

I wonder why that guy wearing the fishnet stockings & skirt doesn't have a job?

[@SuperDanMega]

Where is crazy Daisy?👋✌️♥️

[@Coffee240]

Free hotel bathroom 😢

[@jolenescribner7476]

The problem is there is absolutely nowhere for them to go. When you hear the outreach teams ask if the want help to get into housing what happens is they just take down the person's name, number if they have one, and the location where they made contact, that's it! It's not like if they say yes they are wisked away somewhere off the streets, it doesn't work like that. Plus many of them are so disappointed and tired of being lied to or let down with the promise of help they just don't say yes anymore because they already have their information 10 times over. In LA county there are more then 75,000 homeless on the streets. The shelters are full, they do not give out hotel vouchers anymore, even if they did those places are full. The rehabs are full with at least a 6 month wait for a bed to become available due to the only options are one that except MediCal and those are few and far between. There are a number of mentally ill people on the streets that desperately need help but, sadly as with everything else, there are no openings for that either. If there where some place, any place for them to go to be indoors and safe the large number of people you see would not be returning every night to sleep next to a beach toilet. It's not funny, it's a sad fact there are so many homeless and no way to help the one who desperately want to change their lives.

[@beckystarrski]

Do you know how many of these people have warrants & are predators, p€dos, have SA, & a plethora of other charges? They do arrest some of them. It’s obvious the ones (not everyone, so you don’t think I’m being cruel) who won’t say yes to a clean bed, food, etc.. and act like they want it, but then need to give their information to obviously get signed in. It’s because they don’t want to go to jail or worse back to prison. Also there’s a lot of crime around there. It’s sad. So many of these people are attacked by others out there. Especially at night. They get SA, robbed, stabbed, beaten up, & sadly fatally wounded, etc. All by one of “their own” technically, if you will. Also alcohol & other substances bring out mean sides of already dangerous people with dangerous criminal backgrounds. As well as people who need medication for schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar, etc. it’s literally a war zone out there. Take care. Have a blessed weekend. ✌️

[@sunsensational]

What’s with all the foreign comments?

[@vickietaylor2850]

Everybody would love to live on the beach. But you can’t just camp out there. It is not a campground.

[@lesjones5684]

Living in a bathroom 😅😅😅😅

[@groomer537]

mental and drugs!

[@toddredinger9493]

these are some wacked out people in this state

[@alimcally279]

It's their governor. They keep voting him in and he doesn't care about his state, obviously. California is #1 state with the most homeless. Go democrats!

[@judyholland7236]

@@alimcally279 Yep! We tried with the recall but it's all rigged.

[@JOSH2625]

These are ppl that have traveled from all over america to live on venice beach, most arent even from california, the weather is a solid 70-75 degress all year and it rains like 2 days a year. So of course the homeless wanna stay there. There are tourists that give them money, shops that give them food etc, maybe know things before you speak things?

[@roberthenderson4466]

GAVIN SHOULD HAVE HIS OWN BAND CALLED ME AND MY HAIR. UGH.

[@iloled2924]

Where is Daisy? I miss that woman. She’s always in such a great mood.

[@beckystarrski]

She supposedly has an apartment.

[@beckystarrski]

She supposedly has an apartment.. Always has had one. She makes money allegedly.

[@JamesCrisp-iq4cs]

Too lazy to get there

[@rosaspanjol673]

In Venice beach…homeless rule,baby!….sad,sad😢

[@TheBennie102103]

9:33 . . heavy load coming through

[@donnahull9642]

That guy is the same one they had trouble with in another video

[@williamschlenger1518]

Imagine the smell when they open those doors.🤭

[@TwinSister1957]

No thanks, I will keep my imagination far away from the stench.

[@lesjones5684]

I’m moving into a bathroom 🚽 to 😅😅😅

[@teresawilson3893]

Expensive,dirty, junkies and homeless everywhere no thanks I will vacation elsewhere.

[@claudedalton8970]

WHO PAYS FOR THIS DAILY, CONTINUOUS CLEANUP OF FREELOADERS? *CALIFORNIA, WORKING TAXPAYERS, PLUS THE FEDERAL MONIES FROM AMERICAN TAXPAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!* AMAZING THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE *NO SHAME!*

[@e-iu6pp]

Изумруды поволокли,и алмазы??

[@lesjones5684]

Now they are moving to the suburbs 😅😅😅

[@tomstephens2648]

Each cubicle a motel room WTF

[@skiph507]

$ two million for a house, then go to the beach and use a public restroom. Yukkkkk 😝

[@PauloHernandezXD]

Business as usual, it's overcast here too :3

[@e-iu6pp]

Фотостудия)

[@TheMetalFunkAllStars]

They Need a separate Landfill just for the Homeless people! Damn 🎤

[@monmartrmonmartr8673]

If the toilets are closed, the beach will be turned into a sewer. To solve the problem, solutions are needed in the long term. Where do the sources of unemployment and the problem of homelessness begin? These are the consequences of the economic crisis. I personally see the solution to the problem in creating jobs and building affordable housing with inexpensive utilities. Everyone people need care and attention. Otherwise there will be chaos and unrest.

[@tracyrhinehart8693]

This is so sad

[@donnahull9642]

So he’s too lazy to pickup his garbage !!!

[@kahlrhoam6769]

Tweaking & Punding.

[@evekov1233]

Good Morning room service 😅

[@TwinSister1957]

Double Latte, soft poached eggs, and toilet paper please.

[@e-iu6pp]

Пол в молниях застявших

[@philipnelson4692]

Pick up your feet when you walk.

[@crossfire2204]

Venice.. Siff. Nein Danke. Was das kostet. Wieso wird da Niemand hingesetzt und das Geschäft kostet wie in Germany 1,-. Statt dessen müssen hier 20 Leute sauber machen... Siff

[@lesjones5684]

Look at all this housing for them 😅😅😅

[@LockieEricKevin]

This is just nasty 🤢!!

[@e-iu6pp]

От с Куда изделия люди

[@吳玉桃-b3e]

這國家怎麽有這樣的人，亂像，真慘，魔鬼降靈，僵屍國，其形怪樣，真可怕，。

[@gerry4548]

good morning room service 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ConwayTruckload]

Bum removal time

[@ritalepore5441]

A maioria precisava se internar pra se tratar

[@roberthenderson4466]

AN UGLY DISASTER. WHERE'S GAVIN AND HIS HAIR ?

[@trevorstepoo8838]

The government should not telling homeless people what to do

[@arribaficationwineho32]

They can live on YOUR street and do the dirty deeds on your sidewalk

[@e-iu6pp]

Солнечный панель)свет в параши души

[@e-iu6pp]

Магнит юмор

[@e-iu6pp]

Плиточнику мазайка

[@KateSSummers]

Poot Daisy shw lost hwr home at Santa Monica