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 .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Venice Residents Pressure LAPD To Crack Down On Homeless
Recent rainstorms brought more snow to the local mountains as seen from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles.
(
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
/
Los Angeles Times
)
With the influx of new businesses like Snapchat and Google and property values on the rise, the divide between rich residents and the increasing number of transients who call Venice home is coming to a head.
Sgt. Theresa Skinner told the Los Angeles Times that about 75 percent of the area's complaints she handles involve the homeless. "Sometimes I wish I had crime that was more police-related," she said. She added, "We'll never make enough arrests or write enough tickets to get rid of homelessness."
LAPD started ramping up their patrols around the Venice Beach Boardwalk last week. Police said they were doing it in part because of a few high-profile crimes in the area, including one where two men viciously beat a homeless man with a folding chair in December and last August's deadly Boardwalk rampage. But those incidents were months ago, and the more likely reason for the increased patrols seems like community pressure.
Lt. Steve Lurie of the LAPD Pacific Division told LAist that the newly-implemented bike patrols were partly added because of the growing requests from the community to do so. "The community has been asking for a more sort of constant and approachable presence on Ocean Front Walk."
Support for LAist comes from
The homeless in the area are feeling the pressure of getting squeezed out of Venice. They complain that police write them citations that they won't be able to pay. Businesses aren't friendly either. Brian Connolly, wrote a blog post about how because he looked homeless, he was told by a Starbucks manager in Venice told him he'd have the eat the food and drink he bought there outside. He accused the coffee shop of creating "Jim Crow-style" laws for the homeless since they were willing to take his money but force him to sit away from everyone else. Local folks are upset about storage bins being installed for the homeless, and a boutique owner suspects wealthy residents were the culprits who put extra padlocks on a bin to prevent the homeless from using it.
The city says its hands are tied. City Councilman Mike Bonin says that although Venice has medical and health services, it's hard to do much more right now since U.S. Housing and Urban Development vouchers are frozen. He told the Times, "Looking to the city to solve homelessness is like asking your plumber to rewire your house."
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
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
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.
Best of LAist