Venice Beach residents demand LA officials act on homeless encampment, crime: ‘Finish the job’

A group of Venice Beach, California, residents is demanding Los Angeles city officials take action against crime and homeless overnight campers as tourists flood the hotspot ahead of the Super Bowl.

Last summer, about 200 homeless people were cleared from the beach, but Ryavec said the estimated 70 who have remained are among the most dangerously drug addicted or mentally ill.

Los Angeles city leadership "didn't finish the job," Ryavec said. He argues law enforcement needs more resources and that those LAPD officers who come once a week to clear homeless campers from the boardwalk should be doing so at least two to three times a week to be effective.