Friday, October 4, 2024

Venice Beach Cleanup: Homeless Man Complies with Request to Relocate Belongings

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024— A large-scale cleanup operation targeting homeless encampments took place on Friday along the Venice Beach Boardwalk. As part of the effort, a homeless man with a significant amount of belongings near the Boardwalk was asked by sanitation workers to move his items to allow for the cleanup. The man complied, relocating his belongings to a nearby alley in multiple trips, ensuring the area was cleared for the ongoing operation.

The cleanup was part of a weekly effort coordinated by a multi-agency task force led by Los Angeles Park Rangers. The operation involved the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), with a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office also in attendance.

The operation proceeded smoothly, with personnel in protective gear working to safely sort and remove hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This ongoing effort demonstrates the city's dedication to improving public health and safety while addressing homelessness in a compassionate manner.

LAHSA was present, offering essential services such as food, water, and hygiene kits to those affected, highlighting the city's emphasis on providing support rather than issuing punitive measures. No citations for public camping were issued during the cleanup, reinforcing the city’s focus on humane, non-punitive actions.

These weekly cleanups are a vital part of the city’s strategy to address homelessness while maintaining public safety. The regular Friday operations are central to keeping Venice Beach clean and safe, with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office ensuring a balanced and compassionate approach to these challenges.


 

Venice Beach Cleanup Sees Homeless Artist Relocate Belongings on Rose Avenue

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024 — During a large-scale cleanup operation on Friday targeting homeless encampments along Venice Beach, a homeless woman artist with a significant amount of belongings stationed on the sidewalk at Rose Avenue was asked by sanitation workers to relocate her items. Complying with the request, the woman moved her belongings to a nearby alley, making several trips to clear the area as part of the ongoing cleanup efforts.


This operation was part of the weekly citywide effort to address homelessness, coordinated by a multi-agency task force led by Los Angeles Park Rangers. The task force included the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office.

The cleanup was carried out efficiently, with personnel in protective gear sorting and removing both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The city remains committed to improving public health and safety while addressing homelessness in a compassionate and supportive manner.

LAHSA was on-site, offering essential services such as food, water, and hygiene kits to those affected by the cleanup, further underscoring the city’s focus on support over punishment. No citations for public camping were issued, reflecting the city’s ongoing preference for compassionate, non-punitive measures.

These weekly cleanups are part of a broader initiative to address homelessness while maintaining public safety in Venice Beach. The regular Friday operations are a key component of the city’s strategy to ensure the area remains safe and clean, with the active involvement of Councilwoman Traci Park’s office ensuring a humane and balanced approach to these ongoing challenges.

Venice Beach Cleanup Escalates as Police Escort Homeless Woman from Encampment

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024 — During a large-scale cleanup operation at Venice Beach on Friday, a homeless woman camping near the Venice Beach pergola was asked by Los Angeles Police Officers and Park Rangers to gather her belongings and vacate the area so the cleanup could proceed. Given 15 minutes to comply, the woman was initially uncooperative, resulting in officers and Park Rangers escorting her out of the area. Following her removal, the sanitation crew disposed of trash and cleaned the site. No citations were issued.

This cleanup was part of a broader operation coordinated by a multi-agency task force. Led by Los Angeles Park Rangers, the effort involved the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office.

Personnel in protective gear worked efficiently to sort and remove hazardous and non-hazardous waste, highlighting the city’s commitment to improving public health and safety while addressing homelessness with compassion. LAHSA provided essential services, including food, water, and hygiene kits, to those affected by the cleanup, reinforcing the city’s focus on supportive measures rather than punitive actions.

These weekly cleanups, held every Friday, are a key part of the city’s initiative to address the complexities of homelessness while maintaining public safety. The regular operations are a crucial component of the city’s strategy to keep Venice Beach safe and clean, with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office ensuring a balanced and humane approach to these challenges.


 

Heated Standoff: Tensions Rise During Police-Supervised Homeless Encampment Cleanup in Venice

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024 — A large-scale cleanup operation took place at Venice Beach on Friday, targeting a homeless encampment as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness. Coordinated by a multi-agency task force and led by Los Angeles Park Rangers, the operation involved the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office.

During the cleanup, individuals camping in a pop-up tent were given 15 minutes by sanitation workers to gather their belongings and relocate. While they managed to save some personal items, other belongings were discarded as part of the cleanup process.

The operation was carried out efficiently, with workers wearing protective gear to safely sort and remove hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This effort underscores the city's commitment to improving public health and safety while addressing homelessness with compassion.

LAHSA was present, providing essential services such as food, water, and hygiene kits to those impacted by the cleanup, highlighting the city’s focus on offering support over punishment. No citations for public camping were issued during the operation, reinforcing the city’s preference for non-punitive approaches to homelessness.

This weekly cleanup is part of a broader initiative to address the complexities of homelessness while maintaining public safety. Regular Friday operations are crucial to keeping Venice Beach clean and safe, with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office playing a key role in ensuring a humane and balanced response to these ongoing challenges.

Daisy Standoffs with Officers During Venice Beach Cleanup Over Pop-Up "Goddess Temple"

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024 — During the weekly homeless encampment cleanup at Venice Beach, a brief standoff occurred between "Daisy the Venice Healer" and Los Angeles Park Rangers, as they requested her to dismantle her "Goddess Temple," a 10x10 pop-up tent she had set up on the beach. Daisy initially refused, standing her ground when asked to take it down. 

After discussions with both the Park Rangers and LAPD officers, a peaceful agreement was reached. Daisy agreed to take down her temple voluntarily, allowing the cleanup task force to continue its operation. She dismantled the pop-up tent that serves as her temple, and the task force moved on to address other homeless encampments along Venice Beach.

This encounter occurred as part of a broader large-scale cleanup operation targeting homeless encampments. The operation, coordinated by a multi-agency task force, included the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), with a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office also present.

Earlier in the day, a local homeless artist was given 15 minutes to gather her belongings before sanitation workers cleared her encampment. While she was able to save her art and some personal items, the remaining belongings were discarded.

The operation proceeded smoothly, with workers clad in protective gear carefully sorting and removing hazardous and non-hazardous waste. LAHSA provided essential services to those affected, including food, water, and hygiene kits, emphasizing the city's focus on support rather than punishment. No citations for public camping were issued, reflecting the city's compassionate approach to addressing homelessness.

These weekly cleanups are a critical part of the city’s strategy to maintain safety and sanitation at Venice Beach while addressing the complex issue of homelessness. The efforts are overseen by Councilwoman Traci Park’s office, ensuring a balanced and humane approach to these ongoing challenges.


 

Tensions Rise as Officers Confront Homeless Artist During Venice Beach Cleanup

Venice, Los Angeles – October 4, 2024 — A large-scale cleanup operation targeting a homeless encampment, including that of a local homeless artist, took place at Venice Beach on Friday, coordinated by a multi-agency task force. The operation, led by Los Angeles Park Rangers, involved the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, LA County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office.

During the cleanup, a homeless artist was given 15 minutes by sanitation workers to gather her belongings and relocate. She managed to save her art paintings and some personal items, but the rest of her belongings were discarded as part of the cleanup process. 

The operation was executed efficiently, with personnel in protective gear carefully sorting and removing hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This cleanup effort highlights the city’s ongoing commitment to improving public health and safety while addressing homelessness in a compassionate manner.

LAHSA provided essential services such as food, water, and hygiene kits to those affected by the operation, emphasizing the city's focus on support over punishment. No citations for public camping were issued during the cleanup, underscoring the city’s preference for compassionate, non-punitive measures.

This weekly cleanup is part of a broader city initiative to address the complexities of homelessness while maintaining public safety. The regular Friday operations are a critical component of the city’s strategy to keep Venice Beach safe and clean, with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office ensuring a humane and balanced approach to these ongoing challenges.

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Prayers for Peace and Redemption Echo at Santa Monica Pier as Rabbi Levitansky Leads Rosh Hashanah Service

In a heartfelt gathering at the Santa Monica Pier on September 3, 2024, more than a dozen members of Chabad in Simcha Monica came together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rabbi Levitansky led the ceremony, beginning with a powerful shofar blast, marking the start of the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The shofar, a ram's horn, is a symbolic call to reflection, prayer, and repentance, with the sound echoing across the ocean, uniting the community in faith and tradition.

"This year, we've experienced events that none of us could have imagined," Rabbi Levitansky said, addressing the congregation. "Our minds and hearts are with our brothers and sisters in Israel. The energy created by our unity here affects the world at large, especially the land of Israel and its people."

The group also offered prayers for the safe return of hostages and for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. "May God have mercy on them and bring them from distress to comfort, from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption," Rabbi Levitansky recited, with the crowd responding in unison, "Amen."

The ceremony continued with the Tashlich service, where participants cast pieces of bread into the ocean, symbolically casting away their sins. "This ancient custom comes from a verse in the prophets," Rabbi Levitansky explained, "which says, 'I will cast away in the depths of the sea all of their sins.' This symbolic act reminds us that we are starting the new year fresh, casting away our misdeeds."

During the Tashlich, Rabbi Levitansky reflected on the significance of gathering near water, particularly where fish swim. "Fish never close their eyes, and we pray that God's eyes never close on us. Fish multiply in great numbers, as we hope to see blessings multiply in our lives, and they cannot be seen, which protects them from the evil eye—just as we ask to be protected."

As the shofar’s notes faded and the bread disappeared into the waves, the community shared a sense of renewal and hope. The ceremony closed with the singing of prayers for peace. Rabbi Levitansky also offered a wish for the new year, "May this year bring the wonders of the Messianic Redemption, and may we all return to the land of Israel and live in peace together."

The Rosh Hashanah ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier was a deeply meaningful event, creating a space for reflection, unity, and hope, as the Jewish community welcomed the new year of 5785.