The north end of Oakwood Recreation Center Park was filled with anxious volunteers at 9:30 awaiting the arrival of Mayor Eric Garcetti for the first Mayor’s Walk since the election, but according to Councilman Mike Bonin, the first of many yet to come.

Mayor Garcetti arrived with Councilman Mike Bonin. A few words were spoken and volunteers went to their groups. If people weren’t assigned to a group, they were told they could pick up paper in the area.

The purpose was to find out from residents what they needed, what they wanted, what their priorities were.

In general people were mainly caught off guard when their mayor, their councilman, their Venice Neighborhood Council representative showed up at their door with a camera behind them to ask questions.

People with cameras and following the mayor were told that only those authorized were allowed to get close at first. Authorization had to be accomplished via the Mayor’s communication office prior to the walk.

One man from Robertson neighborhood council told the authorized mayoral representative that it was a public sidewalk, street, and he declined to move. All except authorized cameramen did not enter private property.

Those not participating in the Mayor’s Walk or teamed up with a team were asked to help clean the area. Brook is seen cleaning up a street near the Oakwood Recreation Center.