Venice Sweep: Police Assist Homeless During Cleanup Operation

Venice, Los Angeles - June 16, 2024: On Friday, a significant cleanup operation was conducted at Venice Beach, targeting local homeless encampments with the involvement of a multi-agency task force. This team comprised members from the Los Angeles 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.

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.

Police Arrest Woman on No-Bail Warrant at Palisades Park Amid City's New Mental Health Initiative

Santa Monica, CA - Santa Monica Police Officers arrested a woman, who appeared to be homeless, at Palisades Park on Thursday, August 15, 2024. The woman, who had been sitting on a park bench, approached a Downtown Ambassador, stating she was unwell and needed assistance.

When asked by the Ambassador what was wrong, the woman was unable to provide a clear answer. Concerned for her welfare, the Ambassador contacted his supervisor, who arrived shortly afterward and decided to involve the Santa Monica Police Department due to their collaboration with Los Angeles Public Health Clinicians.

Upon arrival, officers engaged in conversation with the woman and requested a mental health clinician to evaluate her. During the interaction, officers conducted a routine check and discovered the woman had a no-bail warrant for her arrest. Consequently, the officers collected her belongings and took her into custody.

The incident comes shortly after the City rolled out its latest tool in addressing mental health issues—the Therapeutic Transportation teams. These mobile mental health units are designed to assist individuals in Santa Monica suffering from mental health-related trauma.

These teams, which will eventually be on call 24 hours a day, are deployed by the City's dispatch center to alleviate some of the pressure currently placed on local emergency services. They are equipped to perform psychiatric transports to urgent mental healthcare facilities or hospitals and can impose 72-hour psychiatric hospitalization if a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others.

The arrested woman will undergo further evaluation at the police station and may be transferred to a hospital if necessary. The case underscores the city's ongoing efforts to address the complex mental health needs within the community, especially among the homeless population.

Fallout Fans Suit Up for ‘All Out for Fallout Day’ at Santa Monica Pier

Fans gathered at Pacific Park on Thursday, August 15, 2024, for a special promotion celebrating “All Out for Fallout Day,” an event honoring the hit series "Fallout" and its 17 Emmy nominations. Actor Aaron Moten, who portrays Maximus in the Amazon series, made a surprise appearance, greeting fans and posing for photos in front of a giant prop of his character. Many attendees arrived dressed as characters from the show, adding to the event's immersive atmosphere.

As part of the promotion, Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier was transformed into a Fallout-themed experience. The iconic Ferris wheel and Churrita Churros stand were rebranded to reflect the franchise, with 33-cent churros available for fans who said the special phrase, “Okie Dokie?” at the cashier. The pier also featured photo opportunities with a Power Armor suit and a Fallout backdrop, allowing fans to capture memorable moments from the day.

This event was one of many across Los Angeles, where 33 local businesses offered exclusive deals themed to “Fallout,” ranging from 33-cent ice cream scoops at Sweet Rose Creamery to free Fallout-themed donuts at Trejo's Coffee & Donuts. The celebration extended citywide, with Angelenos enjoying the themed deals and immersive experiences at locations such as Wasteland, Sunset Ranch, and Pacific Park.

"Fallout," based on the acclaimed video game series, is an American post-apocalyptic drama series available on Amazon Prime Video. The show, which explores the lives of survivors in a nuclear-devastated world, has garnered significant attention and critical acclaim, reflected in its 17 Emmy nominations.

'𝙒𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙨': Unhoused Advocate Shares Frustrations Amid Venice Homeless Sweeps

Venice Beach, Thursday, August 15, 2024: In the early hours of Thursday, a significant cleanup operation was conducted at Venice Beach, targeting a local homeless encampment. The operation, part of a broader effort by the City of Los Angeles to address homelessness, involved a multi-agency task force that included members from the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works.

The cleanup was executed safely and efficiently, with Los Angeles Police Officers providing security for the cleaning crew. Team members, equipped with protective gear, worked to sort and dispose of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste appropriately. Notably, no citations for public camping violations were issued during this cleanup, highlighting the city's preference for supportive measures over punitive actions.

As the cleanup began around 2 a.m., homeless individuals who had been camping on the beach were awakened and asked to relocate. The encampment moved approximately 100 yards east to Navy Street, only to be displaced again later that morning when another task force arrived for a second sweep. Frustrated by the repeated relocations, the homeless campers moved their belongings back to their original spot at Venice Beach, describing the situation as feeling "ping-ponged" between locations.

One of the homeless individuals, a street advocate, shared his thoughts with *Santa Monica Closeup* while sitting at his encampment back on the beach. The advocate, who was visibly frustrated, explained the challenges they face with these constant relocations. "It's like being shuffled from area to area," he said, emphasizing the mental and physical toll it takes on those living on the streets.

Captured in the accompanying image, the advocate is seen speaking passionately, gesturing with his hands as he addresses the camera. He highlighted the lack of empathy from authorities, stating, "We’re not robots; we can’t just get up and move without time to process." He also spoke about the broader implications of these actions, particularly on those suffering from PTSD, who find it even more difficult to cope with such disruptions.

Despite the challenges, the advocate acknowledged that the police handled the situation better than in previous encounters. "The police did a better job than they usually do," he admitted, though he also noted that officers received backlash from frustrated individuals—a reaction that, in his view, was partly misplaced.

As he continued to share his perspective, the advocate proposed that those who have lived on the streets should be involved in the decision-making processes regarding homelessness. "The hands of someone who lived on the streets should be a part of that committee," he suggested, advocating for more inclusive and experienced voices in shaping solutions.

This cleanup operation is part of a series of ongoing actions, including regular weekly cleanups along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, all supervised by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. These initiatives are critical components of the city’s comprehensive strategy to maintain cleanliness and safety while addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. The efforts reflect the city’s commitment to tackling these pressing urban challenges, emphasizing the need for supportive rather than punitive measures in managing the homeless crisis.

Couch Surfing in Comfort: Engineer Rolls Out Electric Lazy Boy Recliner on Venice Beach

A local engineer made waves on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, as he cruised down Ocean Front Walk in his homemade electric "Couch Mobile." This innovative vehicle, a repurposed electric recliner mounted on wheels, marked its maiden voyage and quickly became the talk of the town. The engineer, showcasing his creativity and technical skills, rode the electric Couch Mobile from his home a couple of miles away, effortlessly navigating the bustling pedestrian path. Passersby couldn't help but laugh and snap photos, thoroughly entertained by the sight of this unique ride. The event not only highlighted the engineer's ingenuity but also added a touch of humor and innovation to the vibrant Venice Beach scene.

 

Police Investigate Knife-Point Robbery Claim at Santa Monica Homeless Encampment

Santa Monica Police officers responded to a call from the Los Angeles County Lifeguards regarding a reported robbery at Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. The alleged victim, a homeless individual, claimed that another homeless person had robbed him at knifepoint, taking his belongings, including medication bearing his name.

Officers spoke with the alleged victim to gather his account of the incident. He indicated that the suspect was located approximately 100 yards away in a nearby tent. The officers informed the victim that they would approach the suspect's encampment to verify whether his belongings were present.

When officers approached the tent, the suspect denied the accusation but cooperated with authorities by allowing them to search his encampment. After a thorough search, the officers were unable to locate any of the items described by the alleged victim.

The officers then returned to inform the victim that the search did not yield any of his missing belongings. The police noted that they were familiar with the alleged victim, who had made similar accusations in the past, which were also found to be unsubstantiated. The investigation was concluded, and the officers left the scene without further action.

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.'