On Friday, June 30, 2023, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., conducted a cleanup operation at Venice Beach to address the homeless encampment. To ensure safety, sanitation workers wore white hazardous materials suits as part of the protocol. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) was also present, offering homeless outreach during the operation. The operation was prompted by significant health and safety concerns for both the unhoused and the general public. Recognizing the need for efficient coordination among the multiple departments involved in addressing the homeless encampments, Councilwoman Traci Park's office has enlisted a dedicated Homelessness and Housing Coordinator to facilitate a streamlined approach. The cleanup involved two separate waste management teams with different roles working together. The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, identifiable by their yellow safety vests, and Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., identifiable by their orange safety vests. The Clean Harbors team began by sorting through the garbage to identify, collect, and segregate hazardous waste items such as batteries, urine, syringes, and more. Once the hazardous waste was collected, the sanitation workers from Los Angeles Public Works took over to collect the remaining garbage. In order to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and secure compliance from the unhoused population, Los Angeles Park Rangers maintained a constant presence throughout the duration of the cleanup operation, which aimed to preserve cleanliness and hygiene in the area. The City of Los Angeles has been actively addressing the homelessness issue, and the Venice Beach cleanup is just one part of their ongoing efforts. It is important to recognize that these cleanups do not offer a solution to the larger issue of homelessness. The City of Los Angeles is actively working on implementing long-term solutions to address the root causes of homelessness and provide necessary resources. In summary, the cleanup of homeless encampments in Venice is a significant step towards improving public health and safety. It also aims to restore the restrooms to their intended use. The City of Los Angeles remains committed to addressing the homelessness issue in the area and will continue its efforts towards long-term solutions. ‐---------------------------------------------------------- Fabian Lewkowicz is a Santa Monica-based 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. Fabian's photographs have been displayed in a variety of settings, including museums, art galleries, hospitals, department stores, banks, fire stations, police stations, commercial buildings, amusement parks, offices, and homes. His photography captures the essence of Santa Monica, from its beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets to its unique culture and diverse community. Support Santa Monica Closeup by making a One Time Donation via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz Make a One Time Donation via Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Join this channel to gain access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join For licensing this video email FabianLewkowicz@aol.com 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) 2023 Fabian Lewkowicz/Santa Monica Closeup. All Rights Reserved.