𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Venice Homeless Sweep Sparks Dispute Over Belongings

VENICE, Calif. — Friday, May 22, 2026 — City crews carried out a coordinated multi-agency cleanup operation Friday morning along Venice Beach following the posting of a “Notice of Major Cleaning” earlier in the week directing individuals to remove personal property from designated public areas before sanitation work began. The notice advised that sidewalks, recreational zones, and surrounding public spaces would undergo cleanup and maintenance, with any property left behind after the posted deadline subject to removal under city regulations. During the operation, Environmental Compliance Inspectors (ECI) contacted several individuals camping on the beach and advised them to gather their belongings and clear the area so cleanup operations could proceed. In accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code §56.11, inspectors distributed 60-gallon bags and informed individuals they could retain up to 60 gallons of personal property during the cleanup. Inspectors instructed one man to move items out of the designated cleanup zone and advised him that property exceeding the 60-gallon limit, including a shopping cart, would need to be discarded. The man argued he should be allowed to keep all of his belongings. After a brief exchange, he gathered some of his items and left the remainder behind, including the shopping cart. Sanitation crews later disposed of the unattended property left at the scene. Other individuals in the area complied with instructions, gathered their belongings, and left voluntarily without further incident. The response involved Park Ranger Security Services personnel, the Department of Public Works, Environmental Compliance Inspectors, LA County Beaches & Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, and a homeless coordinator from the office of Councilwoman Traci Parks, who assisted with inter-agency coordination. Public Works crews removed accumulated refuse and bulky items, including four shopping carts observed at the location, while Clean Harbors personnel handled hazardous materials identified during the cleanup. Park Ranger Security Services personnel remained on scene throughout the operation to monitor compliance and maintain security. City officials describe the coordinated cleanups as part of ongoing efforts to maintain sanitation, preserve public access, and enforce municipal regulations governing the storage of personal property in public spaces along the high-traffic coastal corridor. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public events of local significance across the Westside, including homelessness outreach, law enforcement activity, and coastal cleanup operations. #VeniceBeach #Homelessness #Unhoused #EncampmentCleanup #PublicSafety — ⚠️ 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