LA's Venice Beach a flashpoint in city's homeless crisis
Associated Press
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People ride their bikes past a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Scott See, 53, passes time in his tent at a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A sign opposing Los Angeles Councilman Mike Bonin, whose district includes Venice, is placed near a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. Residents fumed at City Councilman Mike Bonin, saying he neglected the area for too long. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Jose Formoso, who said he moved from Malibu, Calif., after his RV burned down, sits in his tent near the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A homeless man goes through his belongings outside his tent pitched on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)People walk past snack shops on the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. Residents of the gritty bohemian neighborhood that is one of LA's top tourist destinations are frustrated and angry over government inaction that allowed the camps to blossom during the pandemic.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A man leans on a display outside a souvenir shop on the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. Residents of the gritty bohemian neighborhood that is one of LA's top tourist destinations are frustrated and angry over government inaction that allowed the camps to blossom during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Donald Banks Jr. tosses a bag while sorting through his belongings on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. Residents of the gritty bohemian neighborhood that is one of LA's top tourist destinations are frustrated and angry over government inaction that allowed the camps to blossom during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Pamela Connoly, facing camera, CEO and founder of Hope for the Hearts of the Homeless, hugs Melissa Acedera of Polo's Pantry while serving meals to homeless people in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Marc Dilk, a 32-year-old homeless man, tidies up around his tent on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Yahto Bank and his girlfriend, Nas, a couple living in an homeless encampment set up along the Venice Beach boardwalk, embrace each other while waiting to pick up free meals in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Kevin DeMarco, a 56-year-old homeless man, lights a cigarette in a sleeping bag on the beach Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A man jogs past a mattress as several homeless people mingle next to their encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A homeless man naps in an encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Patrick Liberty, a souvenir shop owner, prepares to close his shop for the day as homeless people's tents line along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A homeless person's mattress and belongings sit on the beach in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A homeless woman who goes by Ma Shanti stands next to her cart adorned with a sign that reads "Home Sweat Home" while waiting in line for a free meal in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)People play basketball as a homeless man sleeps near the court in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Jeremy Minney, a 43-year-old homeless man, sorts through his belongings in a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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People ride their bikes past a homeless encampment set up along the boardwalk in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The proliferation of homeless encampments on Venice Beach has sparked an outcry from residents and created a political spat among Los Angeles leaders. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)