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3:39 pm
June 20, 2007
The Venice Skatepark, although only two weeks old, is already in need
of some community help. In a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”
act of LAPD policy making, the LAPD has informed the Venice Surf and
Skate Association (VSA) that they will no longer be permitted to
perform community watch duties as volunteers at the park after posted
closing hours. The VSA is not just about helping keep the skatepark safe, they are helping all of us in Venice with their community service to help our community and those that have been disenfranchised. Part of this includes community volunteer watch over what is arguably one of the shining jewels of the community that represents Venice to the world.
The morning after this decision was made the Skate Park had become a homeless camp, which is odd in that the LAPD kicked out the VSA but allowed the homeless to stay.
The problem with this policy is that left unwatched, the skatepark
will likely become the stomping grounds of vandals and some of the
other shadier elements of Venice. The danger is that if the park
becomes a homeless campground and drugs and vandalism become the norm,
the way the city works is it will just give them a reason to fill the
park in with sand and be “done with it”, just as they did when the
homeless took over the circular benches around the old wall. The city
doesn’t like a liability on their hands, yet as of now they are
creating a liability by not providing a security person to watch the
park at night nor allowing the VSA volunteers to provide community volunteer watch at the park, much like local neighborhood watches do.
How can you help? First and foremost support and donate to the VSA,
who are the community voice of the park. Secondly, feel free to contact
your councilman and ask for the VSA to be allowed to continue as the night time
community watch group for the park until a professional security
solution can be worked out by the city. The VSA is not a security group, and the skatepark really needs a professional security person put in place by the city to keep it a safe place for the children of Venice.
6:36 pm
October 15, 2009
I don't understand this fascist attitude toward homeless people. They are the weakest of us, and the ones most in need of help. Instead of attacking the victims of society, we should be providing opportunities for them. If we provided them jobs they wouldn't be forced to live in such terrible conditions. C'mon, Venice! Where's the spirit of the 60's????????
8:18 pm
April 26, 2009
I consider myself very apathetic towards homeless people. It's tragic to see them living on the streets. Everyone deserves a roof over their head. But the reality of the matter is, the majority of them have chosen to live this way. If you offered them a job, most wouldn't be interested. Sad, but true.
This park is a wonderful addition to our city. I really hope we can keep it clean.
8:38 pm
September 29, 2008
It's really a problem of perception. If we give the homeless people security guard outfits I think it will all just work itself out. That or bear. I read somewhere that homeless people are scared of bears. Bears naturally have a low tolerance for drug abuse too, so they won't let that slide like a tiger or lion would.
8:53 pm
July 15, 2009
rbk2000 said:
I don't understand this fascist attitude toward homeless people. They are the weakest of us, and the ones most in need of help. Instead of attacking the victims of society, we should be providing opportunities for them. If we provided them jobs they wouldn't be forced to live in such terrible conditions. C'mon, Venice! Where's the spirit of the 60's????????
So, just because there are less fortunate members of society, should we not have any nice things?
Should the skatepark also serve the homeless as living room, toilet and drug-den?
Is that your idea of fairness?
Why have you not invited the homeless into your home, to live with you? C'mon, Venice! Where's the spirit of the 60's????????
9:01 pm
July 15, 2009
Beaver said:
It's really a problem of perception. If we give the homeless people security guard outfits I think it will all just work itself out. That or bear. I read somewhere that homeless people are scared of bears. Bears naturally have a low tolerance for drug abuse too, so they won't let that slide like a tiger or lion would.
I have proposed the release of Pumas throughout Venice to help restore the cycles of nature and the food chain.
Predation also insures the long term health of the homeless herd and prevents overgrazing.
I take exception with your characterization of Lions and Tigers; in fact, there is a Bear on Vernon and he's a tweaker.
Nobody's going to \*#!%$! with a lion.
9:40 pm
October 15, 2009
WTF did everyone expect would happen?
It wouldn't matter whether it's a skate park or a kiddie park.
The homeless/drifter/druggie contingent is going to crap all over it.
What a waste of money.
I'm salty and that's what keeps me spicy ©
12:08 am
October 15, 2009
I sent a message to Councilman Bill Rosendahl's staffmember detailed to the Venice Area:
My name is *********. I work at Venice Beach as an Ocean Lifeguard . I have held this position for a few years now and I think I have a fairly good understanding of the situation on Venice Beach. Let me be clear as I outline some concerns that I do not speak for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the LACo F.D. Lifeguard Division, or any other lifeguards.
This evening as I patroled the beach, members of the Venice Skate Association (VSA) told me that the LAPD has told them to stop regulating the new skate park. The VSA members claim that they were told that they would be arrested if they continued to maintain a presence in the skate park. I am not sure of the circumstances which led to this interaction. In my experiences with the VSA, they have been a remarkable volunteer organization doing a thankless job. They clean the park, keep people from camping in it overnight, keep graffiti off the concrete, encourage safe skateboarding, and have been good first responders to medical emergencies. Removing the VSA from this park is shortsighted. I think this will lead to many problems in the park, including homeless encampments, unsanitary conditions, debris buildup, more skating accidents and slower access to medical attention, and graffiti and vandalism, both in the park and the surrounding area.
I strongly urge Councilmen Rosendahl to take action in this matter. Whether it be maintaining status quo, hiring the VSA, or assisting select VSA members to become Recreation and Parks Department Volunteers, I think the healthy environment the VSA is promoting at the skate park needs to be maintained. Tonight will be the first night that no VSA members will be watching over the park. Please consider making the arrangement with VSA more official. It is a well meaning organization that could use some direction from the City.
Again, let me reiterate than I am writing as a concerned citizen. I do not write on behalf of my employer or any of my coworkers. I only mention my employment to demonstrate where my experience at Venice Beach stems from.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.
Here is the message I recieved on Tuesday from Concilman Rosendahl's office:
Hi Mr. ****** and thanks so much for reaching out to me and providing
your perspective for the Councilmember to contemplate.
I have personally worked with and continue to work with the VSA and
trust we can form a formal agreement that works for all.
That being said, for clarification, folks wishing to provide oversight
for a Recreation and Parks facility need to register with the Volunteer
Program of the Recreation & Parks Department. With this in mind
Recreation & Parks has requested a proposal from the VSA similar to what
we have with our Graffiti Walls, an organization providing oversight and
maintenance. Once Rec & Parks has that, they can review and go from
there.
I've also advised the VSA to focus on creating a proposal and get it to
RAP asap. Hopefully this can happen soon.
Sincerely,
Arturo Piña
I am hopeful that they can work it out. The park was mellow during the rains, but if there is no VSA presence this weekend, it could be a total cluster.
3:01 pm
May 8, 2009
Am I wrong about the thought that it is a only a matter of time before someone hurts themselves during off hours and sues the city? I hate the idea but it seems so likely in this society.
8:10 pm
October 16, 2009
I was there when they opened the Pavillion back in the early 60's and the reason it turned to crap was lack of night time supervision. It soon became a haven for "winos" as the homeless used to be called. The person who spoke of a lack of compassion for the homeless is confusing the issue. We don't necassarillie want the homeless to die or go away, we just don't want them camping in our NEW skatepark. Do you want the youngsters showing up to skate early finding used needles and other such items that the homeless typically leave behind? I suggest the person that expressed his concern for the homeless visit the skatepark at 2 am, if he dares, and observe the crap that will be happening if there is no supervision. As a life long surfer and skater who grew up in Venice, I can tell you with CERTANTY that with out supervision the skatepark is gonna be a urine reaking mess in a very short time. You want your kids, or ANY kids falling on urine soaked concrete and getting multiple abrasions? Obviously it was very stupid to build the park with out fences, but I understand that was the coastal commisions decision. The VSA was instrumental in getting the park built. I was at the opening, and the elected officials who were there to garner attention were publicly singing the praises of the VSA and Jesse Martinez and Geri Louis were welcomed to make speaches from the same podium as Mayor Antonio and Council Person Bill. How quickly they forget. It should take one phone call from the mayor to get this situation corrected. As a homeowner in the City of Los Angeles I will be calling and emailing my elected officials to quickly resolve this issue before the skatepark is a stinking mess!! I hope others will do the same.
8:15 pm
October 16, 2009
Hey, I just checked and Mayor Antonio Villaragosa's email address is: mayor@lacity.org Send him a polite but firm message about your concerns about the certain decline of the skatepark if the VSA is not allowed to maintain a presence. And also complain of the shoddy treatment of the people who made the park happen!! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
8:45 pm
October 15, 2009
OG Venice Local said:
We don't necassarillie want the homeless to die or go away, we just don't want them camping in our NEW skatepark.
d00d,
I understand how you feel but what's the diff between the skate park and any other public or even private area where an undesirable element takes up residence?
It's interesting how you refer to the skate park in the possesive by calling it "our"s. It belongs to everyone. Like all the other public places where homeless congregate.
SW
I'm salty and that's what keeps me spicy ©
