𝗛𝗔𝗭𝗠𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘: HoST Team Collects Syringes and Biohazard Waste at Palisades Park Encampment

SANTA MONICA — On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Santa Monica’s Homeless Support Team (HoST) responded to Palisades Park to conduct a cleanup operation following a police-led encampment clearance. Santa Monica Police officers had earlier removed individuals from the bluffside park overlooking the beach. Once the area was cleared, HoST was dispatched to address the debris left behind — including numerous empty liquor bottles, scattered trash, and several used hypodermic needles. To safely remove the hazardous materials, a HoST crew member was seen carrying a biohazard sharps container — a red, hard-sided disposal unit designed specifically for collecting medical waste such as used syringes, needles, and other sharp objects that could pose a health threat to the public. These containers are part of the team's specialized equipment to ensure both worker and community safety. HoST operates under the city’s Public Works Department and currently consists of one crew leader and two maintenance workers contracted through Mariposa. The team works in coordination with the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments, often serving as the primary response for encampment-related sanitation issues flagged through the 311 system or reported by field staff. Launched in late 2023, HoST has addressed hundreds of locations citywide. A transition to a fully in-house city team is planned for later this year, with expanded coverage and dedicated vehicles. All crew members undergo enhanced training in de-escalation, hazardous waste handling, Naloxone administration, and safety protocols involving bloodborne pathogens and fentanyl exposure. The program is funded through voter-approved Measure CS, which increased the hotel tax to support Clean & Safe efforts, public safety initiatives, and homelessness response. Santa Monica Closeup will continue tracking the city's expanding approach to public health and urban safety in shared spaces. — Reported by Santa Monica Closeup On the ground, covering Santa Monica’s evolving public safety response from the frontlines.