VENICE, Calif., July 2 (Santa Monica Online) — More than 100 residents, business owners and community members packed a Venice meeting and confronted leaders of two supportive housing programs over complaints about crime, trespassing and public safety near Lincoln Boulevard.
The meeting centered on The Journey Program and Safe Place for Youth, both on or near the boulevard. Residents said they were dealing with drug activity, illegal dumping, violence and fears about children walking in the neighborhood; one attendee said neighbors were finding “dead bodies” during routine cleanups.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park said her office had heard complaints for months and warned that future city funding could be at risk if conditions do not improve. “We are going to continue to fix this and hold these people responsible for providing their own security, for ensuring that the neighborhood around these facilities remains safe,” she said.
Representatives for the two organizations told attendees they were listening to residents’ concerns and would keep talking with the community.
The dispute comes as Santa Monica officials are dealing with a separate fight over county-backed interim housing on Ocean Avenue. Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said she was “completely disappointed by the lack of proper communication with Santa Monica residents” about the projects, and the city’s mayor said the issue was about transparency, accountability and engaging the community in advance. County notifications also indicated 49 people with behavioral health challenges were expected to move into the properties before the plan was put on hold.
