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Protesters were seen clashing with law enforcement as Los Angeles city crews began cleaning up a vast homeless camp in Vanny on Thursday morning.
At least one person has been taken into custody as city sanitation workers and LAPD officials demolished the tent and moved to remove debris along Oxnard Street near the 405 Expressway. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were also involved.
The sweep began around 6am in the 15,300 block of Oxnard near the exit of Burbank Boulevard. Officials say the camp has elicited complaints from residents and business owners for several months. Parts of the street were cut off as city crews began cleaning up the area.
KTLA spoke with some of the people affected by the cleanup. One unhy individual, currently packing his belongings, shared fears about the uncertain future.
“I’m nervous, I’m scared because I don’t know what we’re going to do. We know we can get a home that is possible, but that’s always… they can take it from us. There’s no guarantee,” she said. “A lot of us don’t have jobs. We’re unemployed and we’re trying to make it. We don’t do bad things because we want to do bad things. We do bad things because there’s no other way to get what we need.”
Authorities and city workers are seen beginning to clean homeless encampments in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) Authorities and city workers are seen beginning to clean homeless encampments in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) protesters are seen clashing with city workers as homeless camps began in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) protesters are seen clashing with city workers as homeless camps began in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) protesters are seen clashing with city workers as homeless camps began in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) protesters are seen clashing with city workers as homeless camps began in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) Authorities and city workers are seen beginning to clean homeless encampments in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) Authorities and city workers are seen beginning to clean homeless encampments in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA) Authorities and city workers are seen beginning to clean homeless encampments in Los Angeles. July 2025 (KTLA)
On November 14th, 2024, the same location was a scene of a fire that sent thick black smoke into the San Fernando Valley. The fire broke out on the same day as the crash of a small plane near the Sepulveda Dam, overwhelming first responders throughout the region.
Thursday morning Sky5 Aerial showed police secured the area as sanitation workers were staged nearby. Rich Prickett of Ktla noted that some residents had previously made makeshift fencing around the camp, restricting access to city crews. Outreach workers were also seen offering services and temporary housing options to evacuees.
The Van Nuys cleanup will lead local leaders to remove homeless encampments from public spaces as they face pressure from both the state and federal governments.
In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged cities to “settle camps” using billions to raise state funds, introducing them to cities that introduce recent legal clarity from the 2024 Supreme Court decision. The plan bans long-term camping in one location and requires local officials to provide shelter and notify them before clearing the site.
“There’s nothing compassionate about people dying on the streets,” Newmu said. “Now we’re giving [cities] The model they can work quickly is urgently with humanity. ”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised Newsom’s support since 2022, the Inside Safe initiative has moved more than 4,000 people indoors, and said the program has cleared 95 camps so far.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on July 25th instructed federal agencies to assist them in enforcing bans in city camps, drug use, lo bullets and squatting. The order highlights citizens’ commitment to individuals with severe mental illness and addiction, and federal funds limit support for harm reduction programs, such as drug infusion sites.
The latest estimates show that around 187,000 people have experienced homelessness in California, including 72,000 in Los Angeles County. City officials say homelessness in LA fell 4% this year, the first in years, but removal continues to outperform permanent housing arrangements.
On Thursday morning, they gathered near Van Nuisse’s site to express some signs and concerns about cleaning to help residents. One supporter highlighted the difficulty of accepting the city’s offer if plans remain unknown.
“I know a lot of people who want to take the offer. Of course we support everyone who makes the offer, but when they’re unclear about where you’re going, it’s really hard,” said a member of the community.
The city said services will continue to be provided throughout the day.
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