'𝙒𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙨': Unhoused Advocate Shares Frustrations Amid Venice Homeless Sweeps скачать в хорошем качестве

'𝙒𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙍𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙨': Unhoused Advocate Shares Frustrations Amid Venice Homeless Sweeps

Venice Beach, Thursday, August 15, 2024: In the early hours of Thursday, a significant cleanup operation was conducted at Venice Beach, targeting a local homeless encampment. The operation, part of a broader effort by the City of Los Angeles to address homelessness, involved a multi-agency task force that included members from the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. The cleanup was executed safely and efficiently, with Los Angeles Police Officers providing security for the cleaning crew. Team members, equipped with protective gear, worked to sort and dispose of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste appropriately. Notably, no citations for public camping violations were issued during this cleanup, highlighting the city's preference for supportive measures over punitive actions. As the cleanup began around 2 a.m., homeless individuals who had been camping on the beach were awakened and asked to relocate. The encampment moved approximately 100 yards east to Navy Street, only to be displaced again later that morning when another task force arrived for a second sweep. Frustrated by the repeated relocations, the homeless campers moved their belongings back to their original spot at Venice Beach, describing the situation as feeling "ping-ponged" between locations. One of the homeless individuals, a street advocate, shared his thoughts with Santa Monica Closeup while sitting at his encampment back on the beach. The advocate, who was visibly frustrated, explained the challenges they face with these constant relocations. "It's like being shuffled from area to area," he said, emphasizing the mental and physical toll it takes on those living on the streets. Captured in the accompanying image, the advocate is seen speaking passionately, gesturing with his hands as he addresses the camera. He highlighted the lack of empathy from authorities, stating, "We’re not robots; we can’t just get up and move without time to process." He also spoke about the broader implications of these actions, particularly on those suffering from PTSD, who find it even more difficult to cope with such disruptions. Despite the challenges, the advocate acknowledged that the police handled the situation better than in previous encounters. "The police did a better job than they usually do," he admitted, though he also noted that officers received backlash from frustrated individuals—a reaction that, in his view, was partly misplaced. As he continued to share his perspective, the advocate proposed that those who have lived on the streets should be involved in the decision-making processes regarding homelessness. "The hands of someone who lived on the streets should be a part of that committee," he suggested, advocating for more inclusive and experienced voices in shaping solutions. This cleanup operation is part of a series of ongoing actions, including regular weekly cleanups along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, all supervised by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. These initiatives are critical components of the city’s comprehensive strategy to maintain cleanliness and safety while addressing the underlying causes of homelessness. The efforts reflect the city’s commitment to tackling these pressing urban challenges, emphasizing the need for supportive rather than punitive measures in managing the homeless crisis. ''''''''''''''''''''''' Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning Santa Monica-based professional photojournalist and press photographer, and the creator of the photo blog, Santa Monica Close Up. With years of experience as a staff photographer for several media outlets including the Santa Monica Daily Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Observer, and the Santa Monica Corsair, Fabian has captured some of the most iconic moments of Santa Monica. Support Santa Monica Closeup by making a One Time Donation via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabia... Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram:   / santamonicacloseup   Follow us on Facebook:   / santamonicacloseup   Follow us on Twitter:   / smcloseup   Join this channel to gain access to perks:    / @santamonicacloseup   For licensing this video email: [email protected] TAGS: Photojournalism, Photojournalist, Documentary, Cinema Verite, Fly-on-the-wall, Observational Photography, Press Photography The video is intended solely for personal use. Any form of copying, re-uploading, sampling or other unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. (C) 2024 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.