One resident came home to see the homeless occupying the grassy knolls and Ocean Front Walk. Photos were taken past midnight, during midnight to 5 am curfew.
By Noel Johnston
Noel Johnston lives in a condo on Ocean Front Walk (OFW) or commonly called the Boardwalk. She belongs to the Venice Neighborhood Council Neighborhood Committee, is a member of the Ocean Front Walk committee, and a volunteer for the Venice Pier Project.
Update read one of her reports to one of the committees and felt this was information for all to know since few walk on Ocean Front Walk daily. Her report is reprinted here and hopefully, she will occasionally followup with what is happening at the Pier, bike path, and OFW.
I have a few comments and questions regarding motorized scooters on the Boardwalk and Bike Path.
A year ago, less than 5% of the traffic on the bike path in Venice was motorized. Very few wheeled vehicles were on the Boardwalk at all and most people walked their bikes. Now at least 40% (perhaps more on weekends) of the traffic is motorized and there are many motors on the Boardwalk as well.
As you know, there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the Boardwalk or bike path. Why then are the police allowing this? I don’t want to go into the number of accidents that I have personally seen (just check out Nextdoor and you can see a long list of eyewitnesses to an accident or someone who has been in one) but truly everyone I know who spends any time at all on the path or walk has seen several.
Few few of those who scoot wear helmets. Maybe one out of 20? Very few obey the “one person to a vehicle” mandate. I have seen a father with two children in front of him on a Bird (no helmets) and have seen four teen agers (no helmets) on another.
The bike path and Boardwalk are my specific areas of interest are the scooters all over the west side.They are hazardous for vehicles and for themselves. I am not going to get into the “littering” issue — scooters left in the street, blocking doorways, blocking sidewalks, thrown in the sand, piled in heaps on curbs — because it is nowhere nearly as hazardous as the basic problem of scooter driving and riding.
Scooters must be regulated immediately before there is a serious accident and subsequent suit. Most of us are amazed that the police have been so tardy in addressing this issue and wonder what must be done to get attention and action. Will it really take an accident of dramatic proportions? If so, I am sure you will not have to wait long.
If you doubt any of this, you might consider having someone tape or film the Bike Path for an hour any Saturday morning and see what you get. I can get you a volunteer cameraperson, if you like.
So that concludes my rant! Hope all else is well with you and that the summer is treating you well.
One artist on Ocean Front Walk transforms discarded mannequins.
This SUV was enjoying the view from the Ocean Front Walk where only authorized vehicles are permitted. There are numbers on left side.
According to a commenter named Kevin, it is a police vehicle and a LAPD shield is on driver’s door.
(Photo by anonymous.)
This pile of “stuff” on Ocean Front Walk (OFW) looked like an extension of the garbage can on the left, but then after a closer look, a man could be seen amongst the “stuff.”
By Anonymous
So late Monday afternoon as I was walking
back from the beach, I was physically attacked by three
young persons afterI informed them in a civil fashion
that they should not be walking four abreast while on the bike path.
Punches were thrown and blows were landed…mainly on me.
I was somewhat shook up at the time, having suffered a small
cut on my head and taken a flurry of hard blows to both my head
and torso.
At least it’s clear that i am physically okay…
although my ribs and jaw are still sensitive and sore. Immediately
upon getting home (this happened less than two blocks away
on OFW) and after cleaning myself up, I called lead officer, Kristin Delatori.
Although I only got her voice mail, I did leave a message and,
per her instructions, sent her an email with a more detailed explanation.
Yesterday I went over to the Pacific Division station and filed a formal report.
Mind you, I have no expectation that I’ll ever see those guys again, nor that they’ll be caught. But i wanted the official statistics to show another battery assault.
In retrospect, I was no doubt stupid for having allowed myself to be drawn into a verbal exchange, but even more so because at 65 years of age, what the hell do I want to risk getting into a brawl with a bunch of twenty-somethings? Of course, at the time of said verbal exchange, the thought never crossed my mind that it could actually escalate into a physical brawl.
Moral of the story: It is, indeed, a dangerous world out there.
Members and friends of Vintage Church at 10th and California gathered on Ocean Front Walk Saturday (14 November) to help trim anyone’s hair. No shampoo. No shave.
There were bottles of water and dog food for dogs.
The two girls were licensed cosmetologists. Tom, a tall, carrot-red headed young man, not shown, said “we do this once a month. Helpers do not have to be members of the church.”
For information or reservations contact Brandon Hochman at 323-770-6515.
Note: The following is by a fan.
By Renae Roxanna
The air is dense and moist with the salty spray and excitement of the ocean front. The creativity whizzes and soars in all directions. The oddities arise and encompass the unending adventure of Venice. There is always more to see, discover, and explore.
Perhaps your feeling a bit worn down from walking, but are still eager to continue on to the next spot. Well now is your opportunity to experience the latest and greatest, not to mention funnest, electric pedi-cab ride of a lifetime.
You will zip by crowds of people with joy and smiles as you are transported by a space age vehicle to the next destination. The pedi-cab driver is knowledgeable and charismatic. He will even guide you through a VIP journey of the Venice Canals. Take some time to relax on an hour long cruise down the Marvin Braude Bike Trail or jump pier to pier in a flash.
See you down by the sea!