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.
Venice Beach Reopens With Loose Compliance And Enforcement
Venice Beach was less crowded than usual on its first day of reopening. Josie Huang/KPCC
Hare Krishnas twirled on the boardwalk, reggae musicians hawked their CDs, and graffiti artists sprayed new designs dreamt up during quarantine.
Venice Beach showed glimpses of its old self Saturday, but L.A.’s iconic counter-culture vortex was decidedly more subdued than usual.
“I would say it's like 70% less than what this weekend would bring normally,” said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Theresa Skinner, who oversees the department’s Venice Beach detail.
Venice Beach is the most crowded I’ve seen it all day, esp on the boardwalk. But LAPD sgt tells me it’s still about 70% fewer people than the beach would get on a busy pre-covid day. pic.twitter.com/50cVIQLe14
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) May 23, 2020
Sponsor
Police were educating beachgoers about face coverings rather than citing them.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday that city beaches would continute to stay open for 'active use,' use such as surfing, swimming and jogging, as well as cycling along the newly-reopened bike paths. He discouraged sunbathing, but that didn't stop beachgoers from just doing it. And why not, when you won't get a ticket for breaking the rules?
Joudi Hamed, a Citrus College student from Glendora, was among those who showed up to lounge on the sand.
“You’re going to get it at some point,” Hamed said of COVID-19. “Might as well enjoy life."
The Tourists Are Missing, But Venice Beach Is Still A Draw
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
