Officials in Los Angeles cleared out a homeless encampment at Dockweiler State Beach, following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for urgent action against public space camping. The operation, led by LA City Councilmember Traci Park and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, involved yellow trash trucks, county workers, and local law enforcement.
Governor Newsom issued an executive order earlier this summer directing state agencies to address homeless encampments on public land. While he encouraged cities and counties to follow suit, there is no legal requirement for them to do so. Newsom threatened to withhold state funding from localities not taking adequate steps to clear encampments, as part of the state’s $24 billion effort to address homelessness.
The approach has faced criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and county officials, who argue that simply clearing encampments without providing services or shelter is ineffective. Despite over 75,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County, there are only around 23,000 emergency shelter beds available.
During the cleanup operation at Dockweiler State Beach, individuals like James Kingston, who relied on collecting cans and bottles for income, were forced to vacate the area. Kingston, who has been homeless for six years, noted that such cleanups were not new to him. Some camp residents left upon police arrival, while others watched as officials dismantled their tents after receiving prior notice of the cleanup.
Reflecting on the experience, Kingston remarked, “You just grab your important stuff and everything else has got to go. You just got to let it go because that’s how it is.” The operation at the state beach highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding homelessness in California.
