October 4, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

​​Column: Cleaned & Cleared: Flower Avenue Tents Removed!

By Nick Antonicello 

On the heels of the Hampton sweep and cleanup, Flower Avenue off Lincoln Boulevard here in Dog Town has been cleaned and fenced after years of absolute misery experienced by neighbors, tenants and property owners of that immediate area in what can now be regarded as a new and effective, no tolerance policy for people living in unsanitary conditions on the streets of Venice and the rest of Los Angeles.

Venice under former LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilman Mike Bonin became a free-for-all of unbridled tents and encampments that plagued Oceanfront Walk and numerous other locales including the Venice Library and Centennial Park.

Increased crime, drug dealing, gang activity, home invasion and prostitution became the calling card of these intolerable conditions. 

For wrong became right and right became wrong under a policy of dysfunction and failure that was not only promoted by these former city leaders, but sustained and kept in place despite widespread opposition by Venetians and every neighborhood here in LA. 

But elections have consequences and locals sought an immediate change to the status quo and elected both Traci Park to succeed Bonin and longtime liberal icon Karen Bass to assume the role of mayor of the country’s second largest city in the face of a problem that had swallowed LA and specifically Venice whole! 

For many believed nothing could be done as this “paralysis by analysis” under Garcetti & Bonin has been now seemingly replaced with common sense, practicality and bold leadership in Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11) who collectively took the bull by the horns and have begun the process of cleaning and sweeping these individuals from the misery of street inhabitance to being indoors and actually receiving the help they require to change this unacceptable human condition. 

For what is remarkable is that these conditions that have plagued Venice for years have been largely corrected in a matter of days and just weeks by this new Mayor and Councilwoman, an unlikely duo that has become governmentally dynamic in their initial results. For these changes on the streets of Venice and the rest of the city begs the obvious question, which is why was this allowed to occur and why was it so seemingly easy too correct? 

While asking “why” questions seems obvious, the fact of the matter is that real progress has been made in a very short amount of time and both Bass & Park are reestablishing the public’s trust that was obviously lost during this crisis in municipal leadership. 

For it is now up to city officials to enforce the law and not allow these encampments to return and we’re hopeful that will be the case as it has been now proven that right is indeed right again here on Flower and rest of Venice that requires the city’s help to end these unacceptable conditions on the streets of Los Angeles and here in Venice once and for all. 

Nick Antonicello is a 30-year Venetian who has covered the issue of street encampments here in Venice for the last four years. Have a take or a tip on all things Venice? E-mail Antonicello at nantoni@mindspring.com

in Opinion
Related Posts

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: “V” for Venice Volunteer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Media professional, local business owner and Dad, Eric Alan Donaldson is defined by his volunteerism and love of Venice. By...

Deborah Keaton, a Consensus Building Candidate for VNC Community Officer!

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Creative director, global brander and private business owner seeks a general consensus on what’s best for Venice moving forward.  By...