Santa Monica Closeup

Venice, Los Angeles - April 3, 2024: On Wednesday, a tiny home located on the 700 block of Marr Street in Venice, belonging to an individual experiencing homelessness, was demolished. The resident of the tiny home was absent during the operation. This action is part of a coordinated initiative by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., underlining the city's dedicated efforts to address homelessness while maintaining high standards of public cleanliness and health. Adhering to strict safety protocols, workers donned in white hazardous materials suits undertook the cleanup operation. Community members were informed 48 hours in advance through distributed notices about the operation, urging the removal of personal belongings from the area. These notices highlighted that items left unclaimed would be collected by city personnel. The operation represented a joint effort between the Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., with personnel identifiable in yellow and orange vests, respectively. Their primary task was to differentiate and properly dispose of hazardous from non-hazardous waste, ensuring a comprehensive cleanup. Significant support was provided by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which played a crucial role in delivering outreach services to the homeless community in preparation for the cleanup. The successful execution of this initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various city departments, spearheaded by Councilwoman Traci Park's Housing Liaison Coordinator and the dedicated participation of the homeless encampment task force. Throughout the operation, Los Angeles Police Officers were on-site to ensure compliance and safeguard the sanitation workers, emphasizing the operation's commitment to security and orderly conduct.

On Sunday, February 25, 2025, Venice Beach witnessed the vibrant and spirited Annual Mardi Gras Parade along its famous boardwalk, led by Marky Lennon, crowned as King, and Jeffrey Banks, the King Consort, alongside the lively tunes of the Beaucoup Brass Band. This event continues Venice's long-standing tradition of Mardi Gras celebrations, a legacy that traces back to its inception in 1935. The Venice Mardi Gras Festival initially took place from August 16-18, 1935, inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras. It featured a grand opening with King Neptune arriving by outrigger canoe, the coronation of Queen Venetia, and a royal procession along Ocean Front Walk. The proclamation by the queen marked the beginning of three days filled with parades, costume contests, and entertainment, embodying the spirit of fun and revelry. Highlights from the early years included majestic floats, participants donning enormous plaster of Paris heads crafted in Arthur Reese's studio, and a street carnival on Windward Avenue, complete with gondoliers and Keystone Cops adding to the festive atmosphere. The event quickly grew in popularity and scale, evolving into a significant annual festival that drew crowds in the hundreds of thousands before World War II. The expanded four-day celebration by 1941 included a treasure hunt for children, aquatic events, the Miss California beauty pageant, and a grand Mardi Gras Ball, all contributing to a burgeoning sense of civic pride and community engagement. Venice's Mardi Gras Festival has stood as a testament to the community's commitment to celebrating culture, history, and the arts. For those interested in delving deeper into Venice's rich history, Jeffrey Stanton's website offers extensive insights into the past festivals and the evolution of this beloved event.

Los Angeles, CA, February 23, 2024 – In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing public amenities and addressing the challenge of homelessness, the City of Los Angeles has embarked on a comprehensive cleanup operation at Venice Beach. The restrooms at the beach, which have often served as makeshift shelters for homeless individuals, were the focus of this operation, highlighting the city's broader commitment to improving public facilities and the living conditions of its homeless population. The cleanup operation was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Recreation and Parks, with assistance from Clean Harbors Environmental Inc. Teams were equipped with protective gear to safely handle and dispose of hazardous materials, underlining the city's dedication to ensuring the safety of its workers during the process. The initiative involved meticulous sorting of debris by the Clean Harbors team, who isolated hazardous items such as batteries and syringes, paving the way for the Public Works team to efficiently manage the collection of non-hazardous waste. This methodical approach reflects the city's holistic strategy in tackling homelessness and maintaining public health standards. Moreover, the operation is complemented by regular cleanups along the Venice Beach Boardwalk every Friday, with Los Angeles Park Rangers playing a pivotal role in overseeing these efforts to ensure safety and adherence to regulations. This consistent maintenance effort is part of a larger city-wide strategy to provide immediate relief to homeless individuals while also addressing the root causes of homelessness. Councilwoman Traci Park, through her Housing Coordinator, has been instrumental in facilitating coordination among various city departments involved in the homeless encampment task force. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) also played a key role by offering outreach services during the cleanup, further illustrating the city's integrated approach to this social issue. This recent cleanup operation at Venice Beach is a testament to Los Angeles' ongoing commitment to finding balanced solutions to homelessness. By focusing on both immediate needs and the underlying causes, the city aims to offer sustainable assistance and resources to its vulnerable communities, striving for a lasting positive impact in the fight against homelessness.'

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) took to Santa Monica Beach to launch "Operation Sunrise," a new enforcement initiative aimed at addressing community safety and quality of life issues. The operation saw the deployment of a significant number of officers in a high-visibility enforcement effort, focusing on areas adjacent to the business community, particularly hotels, as well as residential zones. During the operation, SMPD officers made several contacts with individuals, resulting in one arrest on suspicion of possession of narcotics and paraphernalia. Additionally, another individual was cited for smoking on the beach, and several advisories were issued to individuals found to be camping in the area. Sergeant Zendejas, in charge of the SMPD's Pier Task Force and Directed Action Response Team, highlighted the operation's objectives. "We're addressing some of the complaints that we get over time regarding the safety of the community, crimes in general, and violations of municipal and county codes," Sergeant Zendejas stated. "We have a dedicated amount of officers that have come in to do that today." Vice Mayor Lana Negrete was present to observe the operation's first day. She expressed her approval of the proactive engagement with the community, emphasizing the operation's response to the concerns voiced by both community members and the business sector. "It's amazing because we are engaging proactively with our community," Vice Mayor Negrete remarked. "This morning was a perfect example of what can happen. The area is beautiful and clear, and thanks to these officers and Operation Sunrise, we hope to continue to see it that way." "Operation Sunrise" represents the Santa Monica Police Department's commitment to enhancing community safety and addressing the concerns of both residents and the business community through visible and proactive measures.

Venice, Los Angeles - February 21, 2024: In a coordinated effort, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, together with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., conducted a cleanup operation on Penmar Avenue in Venice, Los Angeles, focusing on a homeless encampment. During the operation, one recreational vehicle (RV) was towed after Clean Harbors Environmental Inc. had safely drained its sewage tanks under the supervision of an Environmental Officer from the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, an Animal Control Officer from Los Angeles was present to safely handle three pet dogs from the towed RV, ensuring they were returned to their owner with instructions for leashing. Temporary "No Parking" signs were displayed, indicating that parking would not be allowed on Wednesday from 6am to 6pm. The police provided the occupant of the RV an opportunity to depart the area with their vehicle. Unfortunately, the RV failed to start, leading to the need for it to be towed. Before the cleanup, the city issued notices to inform residents about the operation and requested the removal of personal belongings from the targeted area, warning that left items would be cleared by city workers. Those living unhoused were given a 15-minute notice by Los Angeles Sanitation to move their belongings ahead of the cleanup. Los Angeles Police Officers were also on-site to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly and safely, contributing to the security and orderliness of the process. The operation involved close collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., with personnel wearing protective gear and focusing on the separation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste for effective cleanup. This demonstrated the city's commitment to safety. Outreach services to the homeless were provided by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) during and before the cleanup. The coordination among various city departments, facilitated by Councilwoman Traci Park's Housing Coordinator, and the involvement of the homeless encampment task force were critical to the operation's success. Police officers ensured compliance and safety for all, emphasizing cleanliness and hygiene. This initiative is part of Los Angeles' broader strategy to address homelessness while promoting public health and sanitation.' '''''''''''''''''''' Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning Santa Monica-based professional 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 exhibited 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/fabianlewkowicz Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Join this channel to gain access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join For licensing of this video email FabianLewkowicz@aol.com TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography This video is intended solely for personal use. Any form of copying, re-uploading, sampling or other unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. (C) 2024 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.