𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗣: LAPD Clears Homeless Encampments at Penmar Park

VENICE, Calif. — Friday, May 21, 2026 — City crews carried out a coordinated multi-agency cleanup operation Thursday morning at Penmar Park as officials continued ongoing sanitation and enforcement efforts in the Venice neighborhood. Posted signage at nearby Penmar Golf Course identifies the area as a “Special Enforcement Zone,” advising that beginning August 9, 2024, individuals are prohibited from sitting, lying, sleeping, or leaving personal property within 500 feet of 1233 Rose Avenue in the public right-of-way. The notice cites Los Angeles Municipal Code sections 41.18 and 56.11 and states that property left in the zone may be removed by the City and stored for up to 90 days before disposal. The signage also includes a map outlining the designated enforcement boundaries and provides retrieval information through the City’s 311 system. During the operation at Penmar Park, crews encountered several individuals camping in the area. In accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code §§41.18 and 56.11, Environmental Compliance Inspectors (ECI) and Los Angeles Police Department officers advised individuals to gather their belongings and clear the area so cleanup operations could proceed. Most individuals complied with instructions, collected their belongings, and left the park without incident. One man found camping in the park was issued a citation during the operation. No arrests were reported. Inspectors also distributed 60-gallon bags in accordance with municipal guidelines, allowing individuals to consolidate the personal property they wished to retain before sanitation work continued. The response was led by the Los Angeles Police Department and supported by the Department of Public Works, Environmental Compliance Inspectors, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a homeless coordinator from the office of Councilwoman Traci Park. LAHSA outreach teams offered referrals to available supportive services while city representatives assisted with inter-agency coordination. Public Works crews removed accumulated refuse and bulky debris from the park, while Clean Harbors personnel handled hazardous materials identified during the cleanup. LAPD officers remained on scene throughout the operation to monitor compliance and maintain security. City officials describe these coordinated cleanups as part of broader efforts to maintain sanitation, preserve public access, and enforce municipal regulations governing the storage of personal property in public spaces. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public events of local significance across the Westside, including homelessness outreach, law enforcement activity, and coastal cleanup operations. #Venice #PenmarPark #Homelessness #LAPD #PublicSafety #CleanupOperation --- ⚠️ 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