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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
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.
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“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
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