Venice Targeted by Homeless Encampment Clean-up

The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., carried out a cleanup operation of homeless encampment atMain Street and Venice Beach on Friday, May 25, 2023. Sanitation workers were donned in white hazardous materials suits as part of the safety protocol for the cleanup. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) was on site and provided homeless outreach during the cleanup operation. The operation was prompted by significant health and safety concerns for both the unhoused and the general public, as many of the unhoused individuals had been using the restrooms as living quarters. There are two separate waste management teams with different roles working in collaboration. City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, wearing the yellow safety vests, and Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., wearing the orange safety vests. The Clean Harbor team goes in first to sort through the garbage to identify, collect, and segregate the hazardous waste items such as batteries, urine, syringes, etc. Once they finish collecting the Hazardous Waste, Los Angeles Public Works sanitation workers take over and collect the remaining garbage. To ensure the safety of all involved, Los Angeles Police Officers were present at the site throughout the cleanup operation. This weekly cleanup activity takes place every Thursday in Venice and is intended to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the area. The City of Los Angeles has been actively addressing the issue of homelessness in the area, and the Venice Beach clean-up is just one part of their ongoing efforts. The clean-up not only helps to improve public health and safety but also helps to restore the restrooms to their intended use. It is important to note that these clean-ups are not a solution to the larger issue of homelessness. The City of Los Angeles continues to work on implementing long-term solutions to address the root causes of homelessness and provide resources to those in need. Overall, the clean-up of homeless encampments on Venice Boulevard is an important step in improving public health and safety, and providing much-needed resources and support to the unhoused individuals in the area. The City of Los Angeles remains committed to addressing the issue of homelessness in the area, and will continue to work towards long-term solutions. ‐---------------------------------------------------------- Fabian Lewkowicz is a Santa Monica-based photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica. Fabian's photographs have been displayed in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community. Support Santa Monica Closeup by making a One Time Donation via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabia... Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram:   / santamonicacloseup   Follow us on Facebook:   / santamonicacloseup   Join this channel to gain access to perks:    / @santamonicacloseup   For licensing this video email [email protected] TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography The video is intended solely for personal use. Any form of copying, re-uploading, sampling or other unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. (C) 2023 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.