Venice Neighborhood Council to Hold Town Hall on Ocean Front Walk Safety

The Venice Neighborhood Council will hold a Town Hall community meeting to discuss public safety on Ocean Front Walk.  The event will take place 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Westminster Elementary School Auditorium, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Ocean Front Walk, known to many as the Venice Boardwalk, is a vital part of our community and the City of Los Angeles. It is the most visited destination in the city, with millions traveling here each year. It is also a primary thoroughfare for Venice residents, business owners, pedestrians and bicycle riders alike. The public’s safety on OFW has been an ongoing concern of the Venice Neighborhood Council and residents who spend any time here.

Following an incident on Aug. 3, where an individual drove his car onto OFW, injuring many pedestrians and killing an Italian tourist on her honeymoon, staff and representatives from the mayor’s office, the City Attorney, Council District 11, Recreation & Parks, LAPD, LAFD, Bureau of Street Services, DOT, and Bureau of Engineering met and conducted a site visit to Venice Beach to assess and evaluate conditions of each vehicular access point.

On Aug. 14, a formal Needs Assessment for Venice Beach Public Safety was submitted by the Department of Rec and Parks to LA City Council’s Arts, Parks, Health, Aging and River Committee for approval. Councilman Mike Bonin has asked that the Venice community and the Venice Neighborhood Council have a chance to take a position on the assessment before it is voted upon.

The goal of the town hall is to hear from city officials as to why the assessment provides increased safety, and at what costs, and to hear from stakeholders who may have valuable insights and additional recommendations to restrict vehicular access and increase safety in the area.

Bonin will participate at the event, as will other staff and representatives from those agencies involved with the assessment.

The VNC kindly request that attendees familiarize themselves with the assessment in advance of the meeting. The document is on the VNC’s website and attached to this release. For inquiries, suggestions, and additional info please contact vnctownhall@venicenc.org