Three new campers permanently parked on Strongs Drive overlooking Venice Canals
By Nick Antonicello
Where there were two RV’s for the better part of a year that were recently moved, now Strongs Drive has three new occupants of the same space with two overlooking the Venice Canals.
The three vehicles in this image have been parked for about a week, which is just west of the Siam Thai Restaurant and Baja Cantina just off Washington Blvd.
This photo was taken Wednesday, April 24th.
There are no restrooms or receptacles for the campers regarding waste in this immediate locale.
About ten days ago we saw a major cleanup along Washington across from the Oxford Basin only to see about a dozen or so vehicles return literally overnight.
Washington Blvd has been plagued by the mobile encampments as those residents who live across the street on the northside of Washington have been most effected by the lack of enforcement.
If the street can be cleared and cleaned, why can’t that maintenance be maintained and why are permanently parked vehicles tolerated?
Venetian Clark Brown, an advocate for RV parking out of Venice supports permanent parcels by LAX as a logical alternative location for these vehicles that has fallen upon deaf ears.
A retired attorney. Brown is a two-term member of the Venice Neighborhood Council and has dedicated a good portion of his public service in assisting locals in having street encampments removed. Brown was a strong proponent and advocate of the cleanup of Flower off Washington in 2023.
Maybe it’s time for LA officials to consider a specific sight out of Venice that makes sense and is not on main thoroughfares like Washington Blvd as the summer vacation season and Memorial Day weekend are just weeks away.
Yo! Venice will continue to monitor these conditions and hopefully action that is swift and permanent will follow.
It is time to assist those who need the help and end the notion that outdoor living is an option for the unhoused. Everyone deserves and should demand space that is safe, indoors and permanent.
Nick Antonicello is a thirty-one year resident and covers the current encampment and RV crisis here in Venice. Have an encampment issue on your street or block, contact Antonicello via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com
