Venice RV Owner Stands Ground Against Towing Prior to Homeless Cleanup

Venice, Los Angeles - August 14, 2024: On Wednesday morning, Rose Avenue in Venice was the scene of a scheduled homeless encampment cleanup, as part of the City of Los Angeles' ongoing efforts to address homelessness. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) had posted tow-away signs indicating no parking from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and a multi-agency task force, including Los Angeles Police officers, sanitation workers from the Department of Public Works, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and representatives from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office, was prepared to carry out the operation. As the task force prepared for the cleanup, two homeless men were found near a Toyota RV on Rose Avenue. One of the men, who lives in the RV, was attempting to start the vehicle with the help of the other man, who lives outside. Despite their efforts to jump-start the RV's dead battery, the vehicle remained immobile. Faced with the impending cleanup, the RV owner expressed his intention to exercise his legal rights by remaining inside the vehicle. "They legally can't come into my vehicle without a warrant, and they can't tow it with me and my dog inside," he stated. He anticipated that the authorities would try various tactics to coax him out of the RV but remained resolute, saying, "I'm not coming out. I know I don't have to without a warrant." The second man, who had been assisting with the RV, voiced his frustration with the city’s handling of homelessness. "They come and just take everything," he said, describing how sanitation crews, accompanied by police, frequently decide what belongings are deemed trash. "It's really discouraging when we have all the things that we have to fight, and in addition to that, we have to fight the police and the city council." He also criticized the broader approach of the city, suggesting that the cleanup efforts are more about appearances than real solutions. "They're just cleaning it up for the Olympics and the elections," he remarked, expressing skepticism about the city’s long-term commitment to addressing homelessness. Despite the preparations for the cleanup, the LADOT officers and Councilwoman Traci Park’s Homelessness and Housing Coordinator eventually left the area without taking further action, leaving the RV in place. It appeared that the weekly cleanup had been postponed or canceled. Rose Avenue has become a known location where several RVs line the street, providing shelter for those living in them. The situation highlights the ongoing complexities and challenges faced by both the homeless community and city officials in managing the issue. The frustrations expressed by these two men underscore the broader concerns about the city's strategies and the difficulties faced by those living on the streets.'