City Workers Clear Homeless Encampment in Westwood Following Resident Concerns
Cleanup of Homeless Encampment in Westwood Raises Concerns
LOS ANGELES – City crews dismantled a longstanding homeless encampment near Santa Monica Boulevard and Westwood Boulevard on Thursday afternoon. This action follows numerous complaints from local residents citing safety concerns and unmanageable conditions in the area.
City sanitation workers, accompanied by police and outreach teams, conducted the cleanup in response to reports of overcrowding, drug use, and obstructed sidewalks. Residents indicated that the encampment had reached a peak of approximately 100 individuals living in the vicinity.
"It was hard to walk. You could barely get by," said Cort Wagner, a local resident. "There were tents, animals, and people lined all the way down the sidewalk."
Community members have expressed frustration, emphasizing that they repeatedly alerted city officials before any action was taken. "It’s really sad that people have to live on the street — there’s no doubt about it," noted Jeff Burdin, another nearby resident. "But it’s been an eyesore for months."
As city crews worked to dismantle tents and clear belongings, some individuals from the encampment voiced their perspectives. Jewels, a former Marine, acknowledged the residents’ frustrations but attributed the situation to broader systemic issues. "Someone has to pay the brunt of mass capitalism," he lamented, adding that he was unsure about his next steps. "LAHSA is trying to work on a place, but it doesn’t seem like the money is being spent wisely or people are being held accountable."
The cleanup also coincides with an ongoing federal investigation into approximately $2 billion in unaccounted expenses related to homeless services in Los Angeles County. Another resident, Erica, mentioned that while outreach workers offered assistance, the outcomes could vary. "I feel like the city tries, but it’s all up to individual workers," she observed.
A spokesperson for Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the area, reported that the majority of individuals at the encampment accepted offers of housing and services. The councilwoman plans to introduce a motion to establish the area as a no-camping zone. “Earlier today, Councilwoman Yaroslavsky’s office coordinated a CARE+ operation near Santa Monica Boulevard and Westwood Boulevard with Sanitation and the Police Department on site,” the spokesperson stated. “The area was cleaned, outreach was conducted, and most of the people accepted offers of housing and services.”
Despite these efforts, residents remain skeptical about the long-term effectiveness of the cleanup. Within an hour of the crews leaving, some individuals had already begun to return, prompting concerns that the cleanup may only provide temporary relief. "They’re just going to move 20 feet away," Wagner warned. Burdin echoed this sentiment, stating, "It becomes whack-a-mole. You don’t see this in Beverly Hills. We become the dumping ground."
