California Beach Cleared of Homeless Camp Following Governor's Order

On August 22, 2024, California officials conducted a cleanup operation at Dockweiler State Beach, removing a homeless encampment. This action came one month after Governor Gavin Newsom issued a directive urging cities and state agencies to take immediate steps against public sleeping.

The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and local law enforcement. Councilmember Traci Park organized the effort, highlighting the complex jurisdictional nature of the beach, which is part of California's state park system but maintained by the county.

Governor Newsom's approach to homelessness has been increasingly assertive. Earlier in the summer, he issued an executive order for state agencies to remove encampments on public land, following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed cities to enforce bans on outdoor sleeping. In August, he threatened to withhold state funding from cities and counties deemed not doing enough to address the issue.

California has invested significantly in addressing homelessness under Newsom's leadership. The state has allocated approximately $24 billion for street cleaning and housing initiatives, including $3.2 billion in grants to local governments for shelter construction and encampment clearance.

However, local officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have expressed concerns about this approach. They argue that criminalizing homelessness or clearing encampments without providing adequate services is ineffective. The disparity between the homeless population and available shelter beds in Los Angeles County underscores this challenge, with over 75,000 individuals experiencing homelessness but only about 23,000 emergency shelter beds available.

The situation at Dockweiler State Beach reflects broader issues facing California. The state has the largest homeless population in the U.S., with a 6.2% increase between 2020 and 2022. Los Angeles County, in particular, has the highest number of unsheltered homeless individuals nationwide.

One affected individual, James Kingston, 63, shared his experience of the cleanup. Having been homeless for six years, he chose the beach location for its recycling opportunities. Kingston's account highlights the recurring nature of such operations and the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.

"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."

This cleanup at Dockweiler State Beach, known for its bonfires and proximity to Los Angeles International Airport, exemplifies the ongoing struggle to balance public space management with addressing the complex issue of homelessness in California.