𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘: Street Resident Rolls Dumpster of Belongings After Shelter Closure Triggers Shuffle

Venice Beach, January 4, 2025 – Chip Monk, a longtime homeless resident of Venice Beach, found himself in yet another difficult predicament on Saturday morning after being asked by Los Angeles Police officers to remove his belongings from the boardwalk. The situation unfolded following the recent closure of The Bridge Home, a homeless shelter on Main Street, where Chip had been living until its closure at the end of December. With no alternative housing provided, Chip gathered his belongings and initially placed them in a large dumpster, which he wheeled to the boardwalk in search of temporary refuge.

Earlier in the week, police informed Chip that he could not store his items in the dumpster on the boardwalk, citing sanitation and public safety concerns. Complying with the directive, Chip unloaded his belongings onto the ground, and city sanitation workers retrieved the dumpster shortly thereafter. Left with his possessions scattered across the boardwalk, Chip struggled to stay organized while dealing with the uncertainty of life on the streets.

On Saturday morning, police officers returned and issued Chip an ultimatum—move his belongings within an hour or risk having them confiscated. Acting swiftly, Chip located a smaller dumpster in a nearby alley and rolled it to the boardwalk. He carefully packed his belongings—mostly bags of clothing—into the dumpster, though it barely fit everything. Determined to avoid further conflict, Chip wheeled the loaded dumpster away from the beach and back into the alley, where he planned to sort through his belongings without pressure.

In a candid conversation with Santa Monica Closeup's photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz, Chip detailed his challenges and frustrations, shedding light on the broader struggles faced by Venice Beach's homeless population. “I got to figure out where to do my stuff,” Chip explained, noting that he had been aware of the shelter’s impending closure for a month but was unable to secure alternative housing. “They [the shelter staff] had a year to figure it out, but me and three others were put on the street without any housing options,” he added.

Chip described the ongoing shuffle of trying to maintain his belongings and dignity amid frequent police cleanups and community complaints. He recounted how he lost a bike he had built after leaving his spot briefly to use the bathroom, only to return and find city maintenance crews disposing of his property.

Despite the constant upheaval, Chip expressed a pragmatic view of the police and sanitation workers involved. “I don’t blame the workers. They’re just doing what the higher-ups direct them to do,” he said. However, he voiced frustration over what he perceives as a “money grab” in the city’s handling of homelessness funding. “When they send out $13 billion, it’s a big money grab that doesn’t solve the problem. You still have people like me on the street after a year in a shelter.”

Chip outlined what he believes to be a systemic failure in addressing homelessness, emphasizing the lack of sustainable solutions and the displacement of shelter residents to far-flung neighborhoods. He noted that while some former residents were offered apartments, he was only offered placement in another shelter, which he ultimately lost due to a missed check-in. “It seems like they did the least amount of work for the most benefit,” he remarked.

Reflecting on his current predicament, Chip spoke about his efforts to stay positive and help others in the homeless community. He highlighted the need for greater compassion and understanding from both the public and policymakers. “If you don’t care about anything, you’re liable to do anything,” he said, underscoring the challenges posed by those who have lost hope. “I try to impact people’s lives in a positive way. We’re all going to impact whoever we encounter, so we might as well do it in a good way.”

Chip also shared personal anecdotes, including memories of his childhood, his struggles with the foster care system, and his desire to reconnect with his children. Despite the hardships, he remains determined to move forward and find a sense of stability. He hopes to return the borrowed dumpster to its original location once he finishes sorting through his belongings.

As police enforcement continues and more shelters face closure, Chip’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. His reflections offer a glimpse into the daily struggles and resilience of those living on the margins, as well as the urgent need for comprehensive, humane solutions.

By mid-afternoon, Chip had successfully relocated his belongings from the boardwalk and avoided further conflict with authorities. As he packed up, he offered a final thought: “It’s a tough path out here, but you have to keep moving, keep hoping, and keep trying to make things better.”