March 27, 2023 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

LA City Council Approves Traci Park Motion to Impose Anti-Camping Law at 4 Venice Locations

Ordinance will ban camping at 9 Westside locations including 4 in Venice

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles City Council voted on Wednesday to impose its anti-camping law at a nine of Westside locations, including Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library, Venice Beach Recreation Center and around the Venice A Bridge Home homeless shelter. 

The move was largely made possible with the election of Traci Park as the new 11th District council member. Park said her office “has the beds” for those who will be impacted by the law and promised to meet both their legal and moral obligations by offering services and housing. Her predecessor, Mike Bonin, had opposed the 41.18 ordinance and its expansion claiming that it criminalized homelessness, disconnected people from services, and forced them to move from block to block.

Under the ordinance, originally presented by Park, Council designated the following locations “for enforcement against sitting, lying, sleeping, or storing, using, maintaining, or placing personal property, or otherwise obstructing the public right-of-way, up to the maximum distance and effective for the maximum period of time prescribed, and as further detailed in the Code:

  1. Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library- 501 S. Venice Boulevard- Library
  2. Linnie Canal Park- 200 Linnie Canal -Public Park
  3. Venice Beach Recreation Center and Boardwalk- 1800 Ocean Front Walk- Public Park
  4. Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park- 4601 Alla Road- Public Park
  5. Westchester Recreation Center and Park-7000W.ManchesterAvenue -Public Park
  6. Venice A Bridge Home -100 Sunset Avenue- Designated Facility
  7. Iowa Safe Parking- 11339 Iowa Avenue- Designated Facility
  8. Super 8 Homekey- 9250 Airport- Designated Facility
  9. Extended Stay Homekey- 6531 S. Sepulveda Boulevard -Designated Facility”

In a newsletter announcing the ordinance’s passage Park touched on the controversial nature of the legislation but argued she believed it was the right course of action. 

“I recognize this action is not without controversy, and I understand that not everyone supports the City’s no-camping ordinance. To those who have concerns about this, I hear you. I want to underscore that we will lead with engagement and offers of services and housing before we begin enforcement. As I stated on the Council floor, my team and I will not rest until everyone living on the streets in our District has been offered the opportunity to move indoors,” Park said. “Ultimately, there is nothing compassionate about allowing people to live in unsafe conditions while we wait for long-term solutions. Wednesday’s vote was an important step forward in moving our unhoused population inside, restoring public safety and access for all community members, especially our youth and elderly, and restoring the public’s trust in how local government responds to the homelessness crisis in our City.”

Since taking office she has worked with Mayor Karen Bass on Inside Safe programs which help move residents of encampments inside. During her campaign, Park had also promised to expand the ordinance to apply to high fire-risk areas such as canyons and hillsides, and environmentally sensitive habitat areas such as the Ballona Wetlands. 

Five 41.18 zones were also approved in North Hollywood, represented by Council President Paul Krekorian whose district he claims has sufficient capacity to accommodate anyone impacted by the decision.

The public comment period was dominated by supporters of the anti-camping law with Westside residents expressing concern about the number of encampments around them. The council voted 9-4 in favor with Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky joining colleagues Nithya Raman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Hugo Soto-Martinez in dissent. Yaroslavsky requested more information on how the city is enforcing this law including reports on its effectiveness across LA, a list of locations where it is being enforced, the cost associated with it and the number of people provided housing through 41.18 enforcement remaining houses.

in News
Related Posts

Office Sales in L.A. Plummet 76% in First Two Months of 2023

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Transfer tax and low interest rates contributing to decline in L.A. office sales By Dolores Quintana In the city of...

Los Angeles County Board Rejects Extension of Tenant Protections

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

County Board of Supervisors votes down measure affecting landlords in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted...

Proposition 22 Upheld as Court Allows Uber, Lyft to Treat Drivers as Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Laguna Niguel Man Accused of Swindling $1.6 Million From Investors, 92-Year-Old Playa Del Rey Resident

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Federal lawsuit alleges John David Gessin used false pretenses to fund lavish expenses By Sam Catanzaro A Laguna Niguel man...

Vote This Sunday in the Venice Neighborhood Council Election!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Vote in-person at the Oakwood Recreation Center, 767 California Avenue. Polls open at 10:00 AM By Nick Antonicello  VENICE –...

Do You Think Outdoor Dining Should Be a Permanent Option? Take the Survey and Share Your Opinion

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

California Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Offer Relief to Restaurants Struggling With Outdoor Dining Fees

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Venice Shorts: One-on-One With VNC Presidential Candidate Brian Averill

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Avid surfer, author and photographer makes second try for the VNC’s top spot after falling short in 2021 By Nick...

Los Angeles Institutions Offer Free Admission to LAUSD Students During Strike

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits provide free admission during three-day strike, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens...

LA Sanitation & Environment Hosts Community Celebration Inaugurating Venice Dual Force Main Sewer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Two-mile long 54-inch force sewer main will operate as a parallel system in conjunction with the existing 48-inch force main...

LAUSD Families Prepare for Potential Three-Day Strike Starting Tuesday

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Union representing workers, including custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher assistants and other support staff have voted to walk off the job...