A notorious homeless encampment near Venice Beach that Mayor Karen Bass had boasted about clearing out three years ago has returned — as fed-up locals blasted the return of tents on their street.
Cleanup of the encampment at the corner of Rose Avenue and Hampton Drive in Venice was touted under Mayor Bass’s Inside Safe Program three years ago.
Bass personally visited the encampment back then and emphasized that she wanted to make sure the area “isn’t re-populated.”
“The law is not enforced. It goes and it comes. I wish it would just stick,” longtime resident Craig Ribeiro told ABC 7. “It would make it easier for the PD, fire department, everybody involved.”
Local officials are frustrated with the see-saw fight between the homeless population and authorities clearing the area.
“We need to not have to keep having a land war like every few months in the same place. Once we win it, we should win it,” Mark Ryavec, the President of the Venice Stakeholders Association, told ABC 7.
“So I don’t understand why there isn’t any uniformness about the enforcement, even though, you know what? A lot of good work has been done, and a lot of people have been housed.”
The outlet witnessed the encampment being cleaned and cleared again — only for the homeless to relocate arond the corner.
“Yeah, we’re trying,” a homeless woman named Kat told ABC 7, adding that she planned to sleep “right back where I was until I get housing, because I’m not running away. There’s nothing to hide.”
Residents say the encampment is a haven for drugs and disgusting behavior.
“I’ve seen them yell at people, go after people, crystal meth use, all kinds of drugs, shouting, urinating, defecating — all of it,” Ribeiro said.
“It’s really bizarre, and I don’t know why they’re not enforcing the law the way they have been for three years,” Ryavec added.
Bass’ office suggested they will continue to clear the encampment.
“We have known this is an extremely attractive area for encampments, but we will not be deterred,” her office told ABC 7.
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