Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist