Venice Beach Restrooms Undergo Weekly Cleanup to Address Homeless Encampments

Los Angeles, CA, April 5, 2024 - A weekly cleanup operation is conducted by the City of Los Angeles at Venice Beach, targeting beach restrooms frequently utilized as shelters by homeless individuals.The goal is to improve public amenities and address the issue of homelessness.
The Department of Public Works and Recreation and Parks spearheaded the cleanup, with assistance from Action Cleanup Environmental Services. The operation involved the safe disposal of hazardous materials and the sorting of debris, prioritizing public health and safety.
This initiative is part of a series of actions, including regular cleanups every Friday along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, which are overseen by Los Angeles Park Rangers. These efforts are designed to keep the area clean and safe and are integrated into a larger strategy aimed at tackling both immediate and systemic factors contributing to homelessness. Coordination by Councilwoman Traci Park has been integral to these efforts.
During the cleanup, no citations were issued for public camping violations, indicating a focus on addressing homelessness through supportive and sustainable methods rather than punitive measures.
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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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[@henrycaruso2143]

I thought the Park Rangers were there to protect the workers but the two of them just stood there and did nothing when the bathroom dweller spit on the workers back. They should assign Rangers that will actually do the job.

[@Coffee240]

They should have a hose hook up, hose them down, those bathrooms needs it from ceiling walls, floor.

[@PauloHernandezXD]

Agreed

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

Water isn’t gonna do much 😂 needs a hose hooked To a bleach line 😂

[@Coffee240]

@@sunnybeachwalks4k2022 yeah needed badly 😢

[@wooster2452]

I think the guests at the Beach Toilet Hotel should be allowed to hang Do Not Disturb signs on the doorknob when Housekeeping comes around, just like any other hotel guests can. Sheesh!

[@PauloHernandezXD]

lol

[@sunsensational]

Why wasn’t that guy that spit and yelled the N-word not arrested after assaulting a city worker?

[@jesseevangelista2422]

Have the rest room closed when the sun sets down and they won’t be there to nestle down during the night, I can’t imagine that they actually sleep in such a small space and the smell in there also 😢

[@htomc42]

Then neither would the residents and tourists be able to use the public restrooms either....and they are the ones paying for them. This "issue" will not be solved until the bathrooms can be unlocked all night long every night, and these people know better than to even try using them like a motel. And that won't happen until the power that be get seriously tough on them.

[@jamesblond150]

How worthless are those Park Rangers??? Witness an assault and just stand there- they have full arrest authority!

[@DadeMurphie]

Those washrooms should be emptied and locked up every night.

[@JoelStMarie-zg5xg]

They are way to nice to these people!

[@1964sonyaharris]

So how come they allowed the spitter to come and retrieve his clothes and not charge him with assault? What good are the rangers?

[@Meofcourse27]

The druggy spit on the park attendant and that is by law assault. Did it right in front of the park rangers who saw it, and did nothing. Then one ranger, after a time, went to see if she could see where the offending druggy went. Shameful on the part of the park rangers to not act immediately and at least stay on the offenders trail while contacting the police. Their inept behavior is beyond belief! The Venice Beach cry baby is the one that assaulted the victim. He's a danger to society and should be jailed!

[@raoulmoat6762]

I understand why he did it though, however wrong it was, the worker did aggravate the situation if you watch he bangs on the door repeatedly as if trying to hurry the guy inside up, this annoyed me and I wasn't even there. As if the guy doesn't have enough problems you have some guy with a job and a cosy bed banging his hand at you like an animal!

[@davidlee7x3]

Liked how Fabian stood up to police when they were violating his right as the press covering situations as they happen in Venice and Santa Monica

[@allanz00]

it must be a bit like Deja vu for these park rangers.. its the same thing every time.

[@elquixote6195]

HOW NICE OF VENICE BEACH! Allow them to stay for a week, before asking them to leave, and they will return later, for another week of R&R. Guess how many sane families will visit and spend money at the sanctuary. ZERO

[@htomc42]

No, sorry, "cleanups" do not address the homeless issue. This is demonstrated by the fact that untold amounts of time, money, and energy have been directed at this issue in that way, without meaningful results. Until and unless those citations are issued, and a "tough love" approach is consistently used, nothing will change.

[@jackwilson3121]

The guy in the white hoodie spit on that city worker.

[@thenotoriousgryyn342]

That spitter would’ve been toast if he did that to me 😡

[@niggakilla1166]

City worker? You mean custodian worker. Janitor

[@raoulmoat6762]

@@thenotoriousgryyn342 I understand why he did it though, however wrong it was, the worker did aggravate the situation if you watch he bangs on the door repeatedly as if trying to hurry the guy inside up, this annoyed me and I wasn't even there. As if the guy doesn't have enough problems you have some guy with a job and a cosy bed banging his hand at you like an animal!

[@Undertaker3041]

Many of folks choose to live like that 😳

[@niggakilla1166]

OR them dam immigrants TOOK THERE JOBS. OR they became victims from the CIA flooding drugs in the street like they did with crack in the 80s. OR they have disabilities to where it is impossible for them to work.OR there just out of luck and need prayers. But yeah lets just say they want to live in a dirty bathroom and get hepatitis. They love it 🎉

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

Where is the GIV ?!?!?

[@angelamarie88]

He was near Melrose Avenue today covering the bankruptcy closure of all the 99 cent stores.

[@sarbantz]

He passed away and had funeral in Germany.

[@cathyhogan9310]

Wow, how long did it take for them to pack all that into the bathroom stall. All thier collected items.

[@rosaspanjol673]

Room service!….what a waste of park rangers😞….these are not public restrooms!…the public unable to use them,because people staying and sleeping in them!….🤷‍♀️Only in Venice,Cali🤷‍♀️🤣🤣🤣

[@LeeTheVet]

This is not just in Venice Beach; it is in virtually every City now across CA. with few exceptions. It's disgusting and it starts at the top with Gov. Newsom and his Administration to do something to fix this ongoing problem. You never see them at any of these homeless camps, or sites when it is being forced cleanup.

[@niggakilla1166]

What is one white man gonna do? sir he needs help from a leat one of the hundred billionaires that live in CA if they just give a crumb just a crumb.

[@elliotmann9787]

I always hear that Beatle song 'I'm a loser', in my head when I watch bathroom cleaning time.

[@gcrauwels941]

Another Friday at Thwah Gardens Apartments. Enjoy the gentle waftage of urine and low tide.

[@IonaCastle]

Life is like a box of chocolates... Every Friday!!

[@Jens.M]

Is this all they do? I would understand something else under CLEANUP!

[@tracyrhinehart8693]

They just don't take a blanket in the restroom they move in and get mad when asked to leave and this is every Friday

[@cindyivanoff7264]

Why don't they have dranig for the water when it rains? All the water sitting .

[@JeremyMcBane]

Coddling

[@deedeedavidson8193]

Well we know the stroller was not bought....The two in the bathroom together have a lot of stuff...Wonder whose it was...I thought thievery was against the law....Escept when you can't catch them...If perhaps they purchased the stuff, they could have gotten themselves a Hotel room . jus sayin..

[@DavidStarr-eg2kv]

Let em do a heads up

[@jameswalton6290]

POWERPUFF PARK RANGERS HELLO

[@imjustsayin6562]

Pretty much out there. The cops are as powerless as the park rangers.

[@GOPETSCOOTER]

When will it ever end

[@phoenixman8569]

When one city decides to make the tough choice and order forced psychatric care, and then others often follow suit, but that getting the ball rolling is a tough uphill fight...

[@GOPETSCOOTER]

You are correct these poor people really need help and the politicians play with their lives.Very sad.

[@phoenixman8569]

@@GOPETSCOOTER where I am in British Columbia Canada, we have problems with groups of homeless drug addicts and my government spends millions on needles places to use drugs temp shelters modular housing, which are also places to do drugs in, and much more and the addicts still dont get clean and often die, my cities mayor has suggested forced treatment several times but yet still does not have the courage to go the the provincial head and end legal streets drugs and fix the violent crime that often goes with this issue,

[@christeliabeck490]

Hire one officer to stand lock unlock Save all the officers having to clean out and be put in jeopardy when they open the door.

[@jeerawatgertlam9131]

ทำไมคน ประเทศอื่นไปอยู่ เขาทำมาหากิน มีบ้านมีที่อยู่อาศัย แล้วทำไมคนเหล่านี้ถึงทำตัว ไร้ค่าไร้เกียรติแบบนี้..!?

[@PauloHernandezXD]

Because there are too many people and not enough houses people can afford.

[@jamesfra48]

Drug use and addiction, mental illness. No help offered by American government, corrupt system with lazy people who do not care. Lack of law enforcement.

[@IonaCastle]

Drugs and mental illness. Sadly.

[@niggakilla1166]

The CIA that works for the government flooded the streets with a drug called crack to fund a war in the 80s. It didn't stop there with other drugs. The governments job here is to decrease the population. They fear people who are all one and United. They need conflicts and wars to store order. Also if one of the hundred billionaires gave just a little crumb with a plan that a 12 year old can create you won't see hardly any homeless on the street

[@raoulmoat6762]

These people are sleeping in public toilets as if it can't get more demeaning a bunch of people kicking them out on inflated salaries, arrogantly shaming them by giving them judgemental stares, absolutely sickening!

[@zenoslayer9618]

Look there's your stroller honey. Well dont leave it outside

[@Midtown95060]

The social workers literally look homeless.

[@TiffanyPostell-ex3mj]

Maybe if they open up the section 8 list it will not be a lot of homeless people's it's a lot of people on section 8 that do not need to be on section 8 look out for the homeless first they cannot put tents anywhere so where can I go we need help in the United States it's too many how many homeless people's and play some type of that rent is going up sky high so how can somebody afford to live anywhere

[@TheBennie102103]

32:33 . . what language does he speak?

[@GabrielGiron-g5o]

Daisy is fine as wine 🍷 🌹🇺🇲

[@AriesArtist8]

I thought they did this already

[@PauloHernandezXD]

It’s a weekly occurrence, constant cycle :/

[@AriesArtist8]

@@PauloHernandezXD looks like it

[@xtranscaligirlx7946]

I think do to the beach falls under lapd the park rangers have to call lapd if you notice they are unarmed no gun they dnt even have red and blue lights or maybe the 2 rangers fell to do there job as police officers beucse they can arrest someone like I said it might be beucse waer it happened the beach falls under lapd

[@hackmattr]

According to the LA park ranger site, they are sworn peace officers. If you are a sworn peace officer in California, you can technically make arrests anywhere in the state even if it's not an area your agency has jurisdiction in.

[@xtranscaligirlx7946]

@hackmattr I never said they was not police officers from what little I saw on KZbin they mosty cover federal laws on prak land they dnt really cover in citys like the beach witch all ready has 2 police departments that are around there plus I think the beach is under lapd so maybe that's why the rangers did nothing

[@Greyboa45]

Where the hell is Daisy???

[@Dane-o7q]

In one of the stalls. on her knees...$10...

[@Coffee240]

🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫gone

[@PauloHernandezXD]

@JackSellasssvery sad for everyone involved

[@antoniosalazar565]

She's playing my flute right now

[@PauloHernandezXD]

@@antoniosalazar565 that’s a small flute

[@adventures32]

Keeps on going yikes always the homeless camping where ever they want to it never ends California keeps going down hill

[@Agent-cu5pv]

Problem....How to stop homeless taking over the restrooms as their own hotel rooms??? Remove the doors permanently.....lol.

[@l5r90]

Women with guns!!"...this is gonna turn bad somehow!'?.....i'm not sexist it's just a guy's job this one!!!!"...for shore!!

[@carollong7941]

OMG‼️WHAT KIND OF ORGANIC GERMS, GROW THERE ? The SMELL ALONE🤪😖😣🧐🤨😡🫢🤮🤢🤧‼️. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PHOTOS / REPEATED VIDEOS. FOLLOW THE MONEY.

[@out2fun]

Remove the doors and install shower doors

[@l5r90]

The street gangs need to get control on those bathrooms!!!...lol!!!!"....(joking)

[@highlightgta5roleplay962]

gòi

[@TM-1963]

I only like it when the 'Daisy Train' rolls into town 😅

[@DavidLawrence-sc5fl]

You can only comment so much on same people.

[@niggakilla1166]

If they just mind there business and leave people alone and not be muppets and wannabe janitors that "city worker" would have not gotten spat on 🎉

[@raoulmoat6762]

I agree, however wrong it was, the worker did aggravate the situation if you watch he bangs on the door repeatedly as if trying to hurry the guy inside up, this annoyed me and I wasn't even there. As if the guy doesn't have enough problems you have some guy with a job and a cosy bed banging his hand at you like an animal!