In an upscale area of Venice Beach, residents are turning to former MS-13 gang members for assistance in tackling the chaos created by large homeless encampments. Local apartment owner Rick Swinger expressed his gratitude, saying, “I don’t know what we would do without them,” referring to the unconventional private security firm employed by homeowners and businesses in the community.
Approximately 250 dissatisfied residents, alongside numerous local businesses, have banded together to fund this “ghost town consulting” firm, which is tasked with reducing the turmoil brought by the growing number of homeless individuals. Swinger recounted how life had turned into a “war zone” prior to their intervention, particularly along Rose Avenue, which had become overwhelmed by tent dwellers.
“We witnessed everything,” he recalled, noting that a tent city there had swelled to about 200 vagrants, driving locals mad and earning the moniker “Skid Rose.” He lamented feeling helpless when seeking help from local authorities, as no assistance ever arrived.
To combat the worsening circumstances, Swinger and his neighbors are now paying around $300 monthly for security patrols. The small team, led by founders Bobby Luna and Ricky Myers, monitors properties throughout the day, providing updates to homeowners.
Luna describes having overcome an alcohol dependency, while Myers, who has a background intertwined with gangs, has also turned his life around. Both have deep connections to Venice and were driven to restore peace in their community. They aim to protect the next generation from the issues plaguing their environment.
Myers witnessed the alarming situation firsthand while tutoring kids at the local recreation center, where drug paraphernalia littered the ground. Out of frustration, he shared that practice sessions had to be canceled because parents had to clean the area to make it safe for their children.
When Luna had a similar experience with a drug user trying to steal her son’s bike, it prompted both of them to take initiative themselves. From this, the “ghost town” effort was born, to improve safety along Rose Avenue, which now also features a number of local businesses, including a popular wine store.
The rise of private security in Venice illustrates the significant staffing shortages within the Los Angeles Police Department, which has left residents feeling vulnerable and desperate for protective measures. Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva noted, “Unfortunately, Venice is the number one tourist destination in Los Angeles County, attracting nomadic drug abusers from all over the country.” He pointed out the alarming disregard for law enforcement given the escalating illegal behavior in the area.
Others, like former Council member Dennis Zine, emphasize that the current climate is far different from what it used to be, where proactive policing was the norm rather than the exception. He attributes the changing dynamics to a combination of unfavorable regulations and a reluctance to intervene in crimes.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has acknowledged that the department faces a severe shortage, with a current shortfall of nearly 4,000 officers necessary to effectively address the city’s needs.
Ghost Town’s approach centers on dialogue rather than aggression, with patrollers identifying themselves and engaging with unsheltered individuals to encourage them to move along. “It’s peaceful,” Swinger commented, observing how the initiative has fostered a sense of security within the community.
Luna and Myers leverage their personal experiences to facilitate conversations with those living on the streets, often offering food and basic necessities while also supporting those seeking rehabilitation from substance addiction.
While the ghost town initiative has brought some relief to residents, the issues of homelessness, drug abuse, and crime still continue to persist in the area.
“It’s amazing,” Swinger concluded, reflecting on the positive changes that have occurred thanks to the efforts of private security in their neighborhood.
