In Venice, homelessness and crime have gotten so bad that some residents and businesses are now paying someone else to do what they say the city hasn’t.
A private neighborhood patrol called Ghost Town has been hired by property owners and businesses to deal with homeless encampments.
One neighbor told FOX 11 his alley had been plagued by fires and fights involving homeless people. Another says repeated calls to police didn’t solve the problem. Then Ghost Town stepped in.
Businesses say encampments have dropped dramatically where the group operates — and customers are coming back.
Ghost Town isn’t traditional security. The group says it relies on mediation and relationships. Some workers are former gang members and recovering addicts who understand the people they’re dealing with.
And apparently, it’s working.
But here’s the bigger issue: these residents and businesses already pay taxes for police and city services. Now they’re paying again for private protection because they say they’re not getting results.
That’s another cost of doing business in Los Angeles — and another sign of the growing frustration with local government and politicians residents believe aren’t solving the problem.
Longreads reports homeowners and business owners pay a monthly fee (ranging from about $100 to $300) to Ghost Town for rapid-response patrols that clear sidewalks, doorsteps, and private property.
