WESTSIDE - While the volume of pedestrian traffic has dramatically increased this Memorial Day weekend, little if nothing apparently was done to prep the Venice Pier or Washington Square in terms of presenting a clean and inviting Venice Beach.
A graffiti spewed sign asking riders to walk their bike greeted tourists and locals alike as well as parking spaces filled with garbage and debris had some locals embarrassed by the trash and the overall conditions at the beach this Memorial Day weekend.
These photos were taken Sunday afternoon.
Locals reported e-bikes "whizzing up the pier" as there seems to be no enforcement of any kind that protects pedestrians.
All bikes are supposed to be walked and not driven on the pier where you have tourists and visitors snapping pictures and sightseeing while these unregulated and dangerous vehicles are impeding pedestrian access.
And as usual, the notion of ticketing these riders is non-existent.
Why aren't there dedicated Violations Officers enforcing the law?
The fact there are no maintenance crews anywhere regarding garbage collection or even attempting some semblance of cleanliness is unacceptable and disappointing.
Popular tourist venues like Venice Beach need to be maintained is a serious fashion despite any current fiscal or financial woes.
If Los Angeles can't guarantee an inviting and clean tourist experience in 2025, what will occur in 2026 when FIFA comes to town, or 2027 when LA hosts the Super Bowl or when the 17-day, 2028 Summer Olympics comes to LA for a third time with three events that will come to the beach in terms of cycling, the triathlon and the marathon?
There needs to be a confidence that general maintenance and cleanup crews exist at popular venues like Venice.
As the #1 LA tourist destination, basic and sustaining cleanliness must be reliable and expected. Both the County and City of Los Angeles should have coordinated strategies to ensure a clean and positive visitor experience, which is not the case today.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-two-year resident of the neighborhood and covers all things, Venice. Have a take or a tip? Contact him via e-mail at [email protected] .)
