Captain Peters, Captain Johnson and The City Attorney Address Municipal Code Enforcement
LAPD and The City Attorney’s office was on hand today to address issues and concerns regarding new developments with the vending ordinance and municipal codes for “The Park” which includes Ocean Front Walk from Navy south to Washington. Over the next two weeks a series of new signs are being posted that include “No Smoking”, “Park Closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.” and the new 42.15 ordinance.
Captain Peters was joined by Captain Johnson, Lt. Kreefft and Sgt. Laura Curtin who specifically addressed that “The Park” which includes the boardwalk will be closed at Midnight. ANYONE in the park will be warned and then cited if they remain in the park after midnight. So, if your boozy route home from the bars was OFW, you’ll have to bump it over to Speedway. The only way to effect positive results in these problem areas is to enforce the rules which are the same for everyone. No dog walking, no loitering, no use of the restrooms and no foot traffic will be tolerated along Ocean Front Walk past midnight.
In addition it was put forth that the “Park” includes all of Ocean Front Walk which means there is NO sleeping along that area for anyone from Midnight to 5 a.m. per the “no camping” clause. Also, it was clarified that the “Jones Act” which allowed the homeless to sleep on sidewalks ONLY applies to skid row downtown, and does not apply to the rest of Los Angeles.
All hoarded property must be removed from the park each evening or it may be discarded.
LAPD is holding a full day of training tomorrow for the Pacific Beach officers with the City Attorney regarding the new 42.15 ordinance. Full enforcement will begin the 20th and/or as soon as the signs go up.
The hope is what with the park hours being properly enforced, and the implementation of the new vending ordinance… that combination will have a progressively positive impact on conditions and overall safety along Ocean Front Walk and the Park.
Concerns were raised about this moving the homeless and transients into the local neighborhoods. LAPD reminded those in attendance that public safety is a shared goal and that citizens must report issues when they happen. If you have commercial or residential car ports, or areas where you think transients might choose to luxuriate… DOWNLOAD a “No Trespass Authorization Form” and fax a copy to LAPD Pacific Station. That, and a posted “No Trespassing” sign will allow LAPD to arrest anyone that is on your property without authorization.
This is just a first step towards continued improvements and enforcement in the area to increase public safety.
This is misguided and stupid. Move pedestrian traffic onto a street with vehicles and no sidewalk? Really?How are we to register our displeasure with this new ordinance?
I live along this area as well and I think this is horrible. Police should police the area with our current laws. We will see how long the residents think this is a good idea after a few of them are ticketed or arrested for trespassing when letting their dog out to go to the bathroom at 3a.m (keep in mind technically your dog should be taken into the custody of animal services if you break the “law”). The cops don’t want to enforce the laws as they are because they don’t want to have to process the homeless people and their belongings. A stupid stupid idea that takes away our rights as home owners in the area. If i thought i could get half what I paid for my house I would sell and get the f##k out of Venice.
Change is good.
The boardwalk is closed to everyone after 12..
Maybe this will make it a bit more uncomfortable for them not to just hang out on the grass and shit all over the beautiful beach… Now I get to yell at them more and turn my garden hose on them as they try and sleep in front of my place. They will slowly start to leave now.. Need to keep up our unified front. Small steps..
This is all awesome news! Its been out of control down there for awhile and needs a little love. We gotta take care of this beauty after all…but if they build an Aldo shoe store on OFW, I’m leaving…but I’m all for making it safe.
I’ve lived in Venice for 41 years. This is simply a reflection of lazy police work and a few extreme NIMBY’s Probably recently new to Venice. This is rapidly becoming the predicted police state brought on by incompetent and short sighted policy makers. Taking there ideas straight from a Stassi Playbook. I’m more discusted by these actions than all the bums and misfis collectively pissing in one spot.
Well… this is a nice surprise…
I’ll need to check my notes but the initial draft of the ordinance did not stipulate rules about smoking and our indigent “crusties” occupying their tent city. I wonder what other surprises are in store. Can’t wait to see the full 42.15 monty.
I too live near Speedway. The drunks already piss and crap in the walk streets. One can only hope that this will encourage them to seek out shelters or catch a bus to skid row.
Until then, I think I’ll trick out our hard earned No Trespassing signs with xmas lights.
The hours and smoking are not part of 42.15. They were pre-existing park rules but the City needed further legal clarification regarding park boundaries to properly enforce the laws. It is all just being addressed at the same time.
give it a chance before you treat it like the crusties treat our beach
Awesome, so now instead of the drunks pissing on OFW after-hours they’ll be pissing outside my house on Speedway. Why do the actions of so few ruin it for the majority!? [bangs head on keyboard]