Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
Police Make Arrest in Alleged Sewage Dumping by Venice Area RV Dweller
City crews clean up sewage dumping in the Venice area | Photo by Yo! Venice
City crews clean up sewage dumping in the Venice area | Photo by Yo! Venice
Looks like an unofficial public health alert issued by a blog on Monday has gotten the attention of city officials. Last night police cleared some streets in the Venice area, making room for sanitation officials to clean sewage -- including human waste -- allegedly dumped by RV dwellers. One arrest was also made.
One of the cleanups that took place Tuesday night prompted police to instruct up to 15 RV dwellers to leave the block of 3rd Street between Rose and Sunset avenues, according to Yo! Venice, which called attention the sewage dumping issue on Monday.
"In the past RV Dwellers 'sneakily' emptied their septic tanks directly down the storm drains," explained Bret at Yo! Venice, "these days they are taunting homeowners and renters by dumping their human waste directly into the streets," he said, noting a recent California Coastal Commission ruling that was cheered by RV dwellers and frowned upon by Los Angeles officials who filed a lawsuit.
A 28-year-old woman was arrested on an illegal dumping charge, according to the Daily Breeze. Lindsey Estilette apparently removed her sewage tank's cap and drove her RV away spilling sewage on the street. A witness reported the vehicle's license plate and description to police.
For background on the Venice's RV population, KCET summed it up nicely in 2009.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
