After the August killing of an Italian tourist and the injuring of many more on Ocean Front Walk (OFW), a shocked Venice and a newly elected councilman asked: “What can we do to prevent such an occurrence?”

Following the incident Councilman Mike Bonin took heads of Recreation and Parks, Beaches and Harbors, and the Los Angeles Police Department as well as the fire department for a walk down ocean front walk with him.  The question was: What can be done to prevent another such occurrence.  Each department made their recommendations.

In addition, another group of businessman, residents, vendors of Ocean Front Walk, people who live and work there, made a list of the things they thought were important to prevent such an occurrence.

Members of Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) OFW committee, headed by Tom Elliott, an OFW businessman and members of the Public Safety committee, headed by Sevan Gerard, a paramedic, took all the information provided and decided what they thought was appropriate and what they wanted for OFW.  This they presented to the Venice Neighborhood Council for consideration.

These are the recommendations made by the Ocean Front Walk and the Public Safety committees.

Note: Approval of the minutes of the meeting for this program has not been posted as approved but It is believed that all as stated were approved in the 17 December meeting minutes.

1.  The group recommended to not install automatic bollards due to cost and maintenance and potential failure.

2.  The group recommended that they should not install a lockable gate system because it would obstruct delivery, restrict handicap access and potentially dangerous in crowded panic situations.

3.  They recommended no hard street closures but functional and artistic obstructions that may include welcome arches, bike racks, statues, art, monuments, and concrete seating areas that do not obstruct ocean views and beach access.  Items should be placed close enough to restrict vehicles but not pedestrians and to provide wheelchair and hand-delivery access to the boardwalk.

a.  Navy, Brooks, Market, 17th, and 18th shall remain open for emergency access.  Venice and Washington Blvds and Rose shall remain open for emergency access and public parking.

b.   It was further recommended that the City consult the community and the VNC regarding the use of local art and artists in the design and construction of these Hard Street Closures. 

4.  The VNC recommended that the City repair the ineffective and temporary bollards and make them more attractive.

5.  The VNC recommended light upgrades.  It was the number one priority of the Recreation and Parks department.  They recommend vast expansion of lighting on OFW, the bike path, and Speedway.  All lighting is to be LED and with solar energy. This will be a crime deterrent, safety measure, and support commerce on the boardwalk.

6.  The group wanted to increase the number of police and provide and maintain a 24/7 LAPD foot patrol.  Police substation at Windward should be “opened and staffed” 24/7. Police should be “trained specifically for the boardwalk” to provide evenhanded  enforcement of all ordinances, including 42.15.

7.  Open and clean and maintain all public restrooms during park hours.

8.  The VNC recommended that the City of LA implement a Warn, Bag, & Tag program similar to the program currently in use in downtown Los Angeles.

9.  Maintain a voluntary storage program to move unsightly piles of property out of the public view and to reduce blight and enhance public cleanliness, public safety and greatly improve the visitor experience on OFW and the surrounding area and to provide safe storage for the personal property of un-housed local residents.  It shall be located at a site to be determined by the community and LAPD, BUT not on Ocean Front Walk.