Venice Restroom Cleanup Targets Homeless Encampments

The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., carried out a cleanup operation of homeless encampment at Venice Beach restrooms on Friday, May 12, 2023. Sanitation workers were donned in white hazardous materials suits as part of the safety protocol for the cleanup. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) was on site and provided homeless outreach during the cleanup operation.
In order to effectively coordinate the various departments involved in the cleanup operation of the homeless encampments, Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park's (11th District) Office has enlisted the assistance of a dedicated Homelessness and Housing Coordinator.
The operation was prompted by significant health and safety concerns for both the unhoused and the general public, as many of the unhoused individuals had been using the restrooms as living quarters.
There are two separate waste management teams with different roles working in collaboration. City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, wearing the yellow safety vests, and Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., wearing the orange safety vests. The Clean Harbor team goes in first to sort through the garbage to identify, collect, and segregate the hazardous waste items such as batteries, urine, syringes, etc. Once they finish collecting the Hazardous Waste, Los Angeles Public Works sanitation workers take over and collect the remaining garbage.
To ensure the safety of all involved, Los Angeles Park Rangers were present at the site throughout the cleanup operation. This weekly cleanup activity takes place every Friday in Venice and is intended to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the area.
The City of Los Angeles has been actively addressing the issue of homelessness in the area, and the Venice Beach clean-up is just one part of their ongoing efforts. The clean-up not only helps to improve public health and safety but also helps to restore the restrooms to their intended use.
It is important to note that these clean-ups are not a solution to the larger issue of homelessness. The City of Los Angeles continues to work on implementing long-term solutions to address the root causes of homelessness and provide resources to those in need.
Overall, the clean-up of homeless encampments at Venice Beach is an important step in improving public health and safety, and providing much-needed resources and support to the unhoused individuals in the area. The City of Los Angeles remains committed to addressing the issue of homelessness in the area, and will continue to work towards long-term solutions.
Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.
Fabian's photographs have been displayed in museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices and homes.
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