Free Republic

Abbott Kinney Blvd. is a picture-perfect hidden gem in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles, known for its boutique shops and locally owned dining joints. The mile-long strip sings to the tune of upper-middle-class patrons who come to Venice Beach to soak in its peculiar rhythm. The neighborhood’s tight-knit community of homeowners who have lived in the area for decades is proud to reside in this unique nook of town. But over the past year, the community within this stretch of Venice grew even closer over a common frustration: the growing homeless encampments. The issue isn’t new to the city...