With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA Sheriff Villanueva, Citing Politicians' Inaction, Says He'll Clear Venice Beach Homeless Camp
The Venice Beach Boardwalk.
(
vmiramontes
/
LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
)
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has inserted himself into the homelessness situation in Venice Beach, visiting the area with several deputies this week after announcing his department is stepping in to clear the encampment there.
"Today I visited the Venice Boardwalk again to view the failures of local politicians in regard to the homeless crisis," Villanueva tweeted on Monday.
(1/2) Today I visited the Venice Boardwalk again to view the failures of local politicians in regard to the homeless crisis. Tomorrow the @LASDHQ Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) will be assessing Venice in order to triage the crisis and develop an action plan to… pic.twitter.com/GaOhxjbnux
— Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff) June 7, 2021
The Ocean Front Walk falls under LAPD jurisdiction, but Villanueva said he's sending his Homeless Outreach Service Team there. On Tuesday, deputies arrived, as documented by reporters and advocates for unhoused people.
Support for LAist comes from
At a press conference on a different matter, the sheriff said it’s “anarchy” when it comes to Venice Beach “because law enforcement has not been allowed to do their job and regulate public space."
“We are going to do the job that people don't want to do,” he said. “And it doesn't mean we're going to be arresting people. We're going to follow the L.A. Homeless Service Authority, the five step protocol. We're going to get housing for people, but we're also going to stop the influx of people who are just taking advantage of free stuff.”
The sheriff blamed the homelessness crisis on inaction by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and the L.A. City Council.
Councilman Mike Bonin accused Villanueva of exploiting the homelessness crisis for personal political gain and called the sheriff a roadblock to progress.
"In Venice, we're working to marshall resources to offer housing and services to hundreds of people living on the streets," Bonin said on Twitter. "Villanueva hasn't offered actual help."
The sheriff says he's coming to Venice.
— Mike Bonin (@mikebonin) June 8, 2021
He didn’t call to offer services or housing, which would help. He went on a PR blitz, promising his own notorious brand of justice.
To anyone familiar with Villanueva and LASD, that's incredibly ominous.
(thread) (1/15)
Ryan Fonseca contributed to this report.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist