𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗛: Police Order Downsize During Homeless Encampment Cleanup

VENICE, Calif. — Saturday, June 20, 2026 — City crews conducted a coordinated multi-agency cleanup operation Saturday morning across Venice Beach as part of ongoing sanitation, public access, and maintenance efforts along the coastal corridor. The operation followed the posting of a "Notice of Major Cleaning" earlier in the week, which advised individuals to remove personal property from designated public areas ahead of scheduled cleanup activities. Beginning at Washington Boulevard, crews worked their way north through Venice Beach, making stops at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Handball Courts, Skate Park, beach access points, and surrounding public spaces before concluding near Rose Avenue. Environmental Compliance Inspectors contacted individuals camping in the area and advised them to gather their belongings and clear designated locations so sanitation work could proceed. Consistent with Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.11, individuals were permitted to retain a limited amount of personal property during the cleanup process. One interaction observed during the cleanup involved a man in possession of several bicycles and other personal belongings. Officials advised the man that he could retain only the amount of property permitted under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 56.11 and directed him to clear the area so cleanup operations could proceed. The man was allowed to keep two bicycles but was unable to take all of the bicycles that had been accumulated at the location. Cleanup personnel remained on scene as the matter was addressed, and the operation continued without further incident. The operation involved personnel from Environmental Compliance Inspectors, Los Angeles Sanitation, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, and Park Ranger Security Services. The Los Angeles Police Department was also present to provide security and support during the operation. Crews removed trash, bulky items, and accumulated debris from public areas, while hazardous materials specialists handled items requiring special disposal procedures. The effort is part of the city's ongoing strategy to maintain public access, improve sanitation conditions, and address health and safety concerns in heavily used recreational areas. According to observations at the scene, the operation concluded without significant incident. No citations were issued and no arrests were made during the cleanup. Venice Beach receives regular maintenance and cleanup operations throughout the year, with notices typically posted in advance to provide individuals time to remove personal belongings before work begins. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public events of local significance throughout the Westside, including homelessness outreach efforts, public safety operations, and coastal cleanup activities. #VeniceBeach #BeachCleanup #LosAngeles #PublicWorks #Homeless #LawEnforcement — ⚠️ 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal/Venmo/Credit Card 👉 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M6... 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Facebook 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Twitter 👉   / smcloseup   — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦    / @santamonicacloseup   — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 [email protected] — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U