A viral post making the rounds on X points to a 2023 news clip from Los Angeles.
In it, crews clear out a large homeless encampment in Venice Beach under Mayor Karen Bass’s “Inside Safe” program.
At the time, more than 100 people were moved into temporary housing.
It looked like progress.
But fast forward to 2026, and guess what?
The same area is filled with tents again.
You literally can’t make this up
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass went out and did a photo op while clearing one of the cities largest homeless encampments
Now, residents are outraged because “the encampment is now back”
It was all for the cameras. The homeless were allowed back pic.twitter.com/zD64Na4iOm
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 18, 2026
The Cleanup Cycle
According to local reporting and footage shared online, residents in Venice say these cleanups happen every few months.
Crews come in, remove tents, offer services, and move people along.
Then it all repeats.
Big Problems, Big Promises, Mixed Results
Los Angeles has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. Recent figures show around 75,000 people living without stable housing across the region.
Mayor Bass’s office says the Inside Safe program has helped move more than 25,000 people into temporary housing since 2022.
That sounds like a big win.
But critics point out that many of those people don’t stay housed. They cycle back into homelessness.
It’s like bailing water out of a leaky boat without fixing the hole.
Local leaders often talk about compassion, and that’s important. We should have compassion.
But there’s also frustration from residents and small business owners who deal with the same problems over and over.
The Other Side of the Argument
Supporters of programs like Inside Safe argue that this work takes time, and that no one can solve homelessness overnight.
They point out that many people struggle with mental health or addiction and need long-term help.
That’s true.
But critics say the current approach focuses too much on appearances and not enough on results.
Moving people around isn’t the same as solving the problem.
And when enforcement is weak, it sends a message that the rules don’t really matter.
So… Is It Actually Working?
Are these programs actually fixing the problem, or just managing it for the cameras?
For taxpayers, it’s not a small issue. These programs cost millions of dollars.
In California, the price tag runs into the billions when you include housing, services, and cleanup efforts.
People are right to doubt if it’s working. When the tents keep coming back, it’s hard to call that success.
A Warning for Nevada
When leaders focus on short-term fixes instead of long-term solutions, the cycle doesn’t stop. It just keeps repeating.
For us here in Nevada, that’s worth noting.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
