County Officials in California Fold to Gavin Newsom's Order Despite Opposition

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On August 22, 2024, Los Angeles authorities began clearing a large homeless encampment at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey, despite opposition from some Los Angeles County officials to Governor Gavin Newsom's recent executive order on homeless encampment removals.

The cleanup operation was initiated following complaints from Playa del Rey residents about approximately 10 tents set up on the sand, which led to the discovery of feces and hypodermic needles in the area. Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors workers were responsible for removing the encampment.

This action comes in the wake of Governor Newsom's executive order last month, which directed state agencies to start removing homeless encampments on state land. The order was issued following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces.

The encampment removal highlights the ongoing tensions between different levels of government in addressing homelessness: Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Karen Bass have shown support for encampment removals, aligning with Newsom's approach. Some Los Angeles County officials, including members of the Board of Supervisors, have expressed opposition to mass encampment removals, arguing against the criminalization of homelessness. Los Angeles Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes Playa del Rey, emphasized the need for coordination between state, county, and city authorities in addressing homelessness in coastal areas.

This encampment removal is part of a larger trend in California cities responding to Newsom's order: Long Beach recently began a widespread cleanup of homeless encampments, using the threat of citations or arrests to clear public areas. San Francisco, previously resistant to encampment bans, has also started a major crackdown on encampments.

The situation underscores the complex challenges facing California in addressing its homelessness crisis, with the state being home to roughly one-third of the nation's homeless population.  As cities and counties struggle with implementing Newsom's order, concerns remain about the availability of adequate shelter space and long-term solutions for those displaced from encampments.