𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧: Venice Beach Cleanup Draws Criticism

VENICE, Calif. — Friday, June 5, 2026 — A coordinated multi-agency cleanup operation continued Friday morning across portions of Venice Beach, the Boardwalk, and surrounding public areas as city and county crews worked to clear debris, address health and safety concerns, and maintain public access to recreational spaces. The operation followed the posting of a "Notice of Major Cleaning" earlier in the week advising individuals to remove personal property from designated public areas before scheduled sanitation work began. The notice advised that sidewalks, recreational zones, and surrounding public spaces would undergo cleanup and maintenance, with any property remaining after the posted deadline subject to removal under city regulations. During the cleanup, crews contacted a well-known Venice Beach individual known locally as "Dragon," who has become a familiar presence to sanitation workers and area residents. Dragon voiced concerns about the treatment of personal property during cleanup operations and argued that homeless individuals should not lose their belongings during sanitation efforts. Despite his concerns, Dragon cooperated with officials and consolidated his personal property into a 60-gallon bag in accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code §56.11, which governs the storage of personal property in public spaces during cleanup operations. As the operation continued, Dragon acknowledged that crews were focusing on trash removal rather than confiscating personal property. "They didn't throw anything out or nothing," Dragon said while observing the cleanup. After crews completed work at that location, they moved to a nearby area just off the Boardwalk, where they contacted individuals staying inside a tent and advised them to gather their belongings so cleanup activities could proceed. The occupants complied and began packing their property without incident. As the cleanup continued, Dragon walked over and offered assistance to the individuals. He helped move their belongings away from the Boardwalk area and across a nearby alley after sanitation personnel directed them toward an alternate location farther from the beach and pedestrian traffic. Later, Dragon emphasized what he believed the focus of such operations should be. "Nothing but trash only. No one's belongings," he said. "Everybody's belongings stay with them. Trash... throw in the trash." The response involved Park Ranger Security Services personnel, the Department of Public Works, Environmental Compliance Inspectors, Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, and a homeless coordinator from the office of Councilwoman Traci Park, who assisted with inter-agency coordination. Public Works crews removed accumulated trash, bulky debris, and abandoned property from designated cleanup zones, while Clean Harbors personnel handled hazardous materials identified during the operation. Park Ranger Security Services personnel remained on scene throughout the cleanup to monitor compliance and maintain public access. No citations or arrests were reported during the operation. The cleanup was part of Venice Beach's ongoing maintenance and sanitation program aimed at keeping public spaces clean, accessible, and safe for residents and visitors while balancing public health concerns with the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. #VeniceBeach #CleanupOperation #PublicSafety #LAPD #Homelessness #LosAngeles — ⚠️ 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