𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐄: LAPD Oversees Morning Encampment Cleanup on Main Street in Venice

VENICE, CA – Thursday, April 17, 2025 – A coordinated homeless encampment cleanup took place Thursday morning along Main Street in Venice, as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to address public health, safety, and sanitation concerns.

The operation, led by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Department of Public Works, involved the removal of tents, carts, personal items, and debris from sidewalks and public rights-of-way. Sanitation crews in protective gear handled both hazardous and non-hazardous materials.

Enforcement actions were carried out in accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 41.18, which prohibits sitting, lying, or sleeping in certain public areas, including sidewalks and sensitive zones like the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Advance notice of the cleanup had been posted at the site. Individuals present were given 15 minutes to collect their belongings before sanitation crews proceeded with removals. Any items left behind after that window were discarded by city workers.

No arrests or citations were issued during the operation. LAPD officers maintained a steady presence to ensure public safety and support sanitation personnel throughout the sweep.

Absent from the day’s operation were environmental specialists from Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., outreach staff from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and a representative from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office, all of whom have participated in previous multi-agency cleanups.

City officials reiterated that these cleanups are part of a wider strategy to maintain accessible public spaces and address environmental hazards, while continuing to connect unhoused individuals with shelter options, services, and long-term support systems.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱.

© 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇/𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱.
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Fabian Lewkowicz is a visual journalist and the creator of Santa Monica Closeup — a raw, street-level lens on life along the Westside. Based in Santa Monica, he documents the city’s stories as they unfold: public safety, street culture, surf breaks, and breaking news. His work blends powerful imagery with unfiltered storytelling, earning spots in galleries, museums, and public installations. Whether he’s covering a beach rescue or a political rally, Fabian captures the pulse of the coast — one frame at a time.

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