I was walking down Abbot Kinney last week, smelling the sea salt and expensive coffee. Then I turned the corner. The reality of our city came into sharp focus. A quiet tension hung in the air. It’s a scene playing out across Los Angeles every single day. Now, a private group called Ghost Town is stepping into that space. They are former gang members and former addicts. They are hired by Venice residents and businesses to clear encampments. They do it without weapons, they say. They use conversation and connection instead.
Nate Daniel is a resident who hired them. He told FOX 11 about fires and fights in his alley. He said Ghost Town became advocates for conflict resolution. The group’s co-founder, Bobby Luna, says their history here is their tool. Their families have been in Venice for a hundred years. They act as mediators, not security. They ask people what they need. It is usually food or water.
A grocery store employee told reporters customers love the change. They enjoy coming now. One man experiencing homelessness spoke to FOX 11. He said he used to get mad at being asked to move. Now he’s pretty good friends with one of the guys. That personal touch is their entire method. They offer immediate aid like clothes. They send people to rehab and support them there.
But not everyone sees this as a solution. Mel Tillekeratne is a long-time homeless advocate. He is the co-founder of The Shower of Hope. He raises a critical alarm. He asks what happens to people who are not subscribers. He worries this just moves the crisis around. His other concern is a lack of oversight. The group is not a state-licensed security company. We do not know their exact tactics, he argues. There is zero official accountability.
Bobby Luna claims they do not harass people. Their policy is to walk away from conflict. They try to follow up and direct people to resources. Yet the exact number of people they’ve helped into housing is unknown. LA Councilwoman Traci Park’s office released a statement. They acknowledge some residents value Ghost Town’s presence. But the city does not coordinate with or oversee their private services.
This is our city’s paradox in a single story. A community feels unsafe and seeks immediate relief. Another voice pleads for systemic, compassionate solutions. We are left navigating a gray area. It exists between desperate action and lasting change. Can personal connection bridge a gap that systems have failed to close? Or does private intervention risk creating a two-tiered neighborhood? The signs for Ghost Town continue to spread in Venice. Their model raises a question for all of us. Where does our responsibility end and our humanity begin?
- Private group Ghost Town consists of former gang members and addicts.
- They use conversation and connection to clear encampments.
- Advocated for conflict resolution in Venice neighborhoods.
- Offer immediate aid like clothes and rehab support.
- Concerns raised about oversight and accountability.
- Community response is mixed, with some advocating for systemic solutions.
| Concern | Description |
|---|---|
| Community Safety | Residents feel unsafe with ongoing encampments. |
| Conflict Resolution | Ghost Town uses communication instead of confrontation. |
| Immediate Aid | Offering food, water, clothes, and support to rehab. |
| Lack of Oversight | No official accountability or state licensing. |
| Mixed Reactions | Some residents appreciate the presence of Ghost Town. |
| Lasting Solutions | Need for systemic, compassionate approaches to homelessness. |
