𝗛𝗔𝗭𝗠𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: Crews Remove Syringes and Toxic Debris During Homeless Encampment Cleanup

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VENICE, CA — Friday, October 24, 2025 — A large-scale, multi-agency cleanup operation took place Friday morning along Rose Avenue and Fourth Street in Venice, as part of the City of Los Angeles’ ongoing efforts to maintain sanitation, safety, and accessibility in public spaces. The operation was led by the Department of Public Works in coordination with Los Angeles Police Department officers, Environmental Compliance Inspectors (E.C.I.), Clean Harbors Environmental Services, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and Councilwoman Traci Park’s office. Advance cleanup notices had been posted earlier in the week. By the time crews arrived, most individuals who had been camping in the area had already gathered their belongings and vacated, leaving behind piles of debris and bulky items for removal. Environmental Compliance Inspectors instructed remaining occupants to vacate the right-of-way, providing 15 minutes to collect personal belongings before sanitation crews advanced. Hazmat specialists and E.C.I. teams then sorted through the abandoned materials, safely removing hazardous items including batteries, aerosols, and flammable waste. Clean Harbors crews managed toxic materials, while Public Works teams used loaders and garbage trucks to clear the sidewalks of trash, wood, and dismantled structures. LAPD officers maintained a visible presence throughout the operation to ensure safety and facilitate coordination between departments. Representatives from Councilwoman Traci Park’s office observed the cleanup, while LAHSA outreach workers offered resources, food, hygiene kits, and bottled water to affected individuals. Despite recurring cleanups, many unhoused residents are known to return to the same stretch of Rose Avenue shortly after operations conclude, often reestablishing tents until the next scheduled sweep. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public events of local significance across the Westside, including homelessness outreach, law enforcement activity, and coastal cleanup operations. — #VeniceBeach #Homelessness #Cleanup #PublicSafety #LAPD #LawEnforcement #CityOfLosAngeles #CoastalCleanup #CopWatch — #VeniceBeach #Homelessness #Cleanup #PublicSafety #LAPD #LawEnforcement #CityOfLosAngeles #CoastalCleanup #CopWatch — 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal 👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz Venmo 👉 https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup — 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/santamonicacloseup Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/SantaMonicaCloseup Twitter 👉 https://www.twitter.com/smcloseup — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrlnKSQlVU42TEn_-PAtWw/join — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 [email protected] — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U