by John Haag | Dec 1, 1968
The Venice Survival Committee was formed on February 7, 1968, after a meeting of about 150 Venice residents heard descriptions of violence, insults and unjustified arrests by Los Angeles Metro Squad officers called in to augment the regular L.A.P.D. forces that occupy our community. A demonstration at the Venice police station and police observation patrols by VSC members caused the withdrawal of the Metro Squad and a temporary reduction of police harassment.
At the trial of one of those arrested in February, a Metro Squad officer said under oath that his orders were to “clean up the hippies.” The Venice police still have those orders and have called in the Metro Squad several times recently to help.
In August Venice police officers increased their harassment and intimidation along the Ocean Front Walk. As a result, the VSC was reactivated. The VSC printed membership cards for use as identification in encounters with the police and distributed a pamphlet explaining some of the laws and practices most often used by police for harassment purposes.
Renewed attacks by the Metro Squad on the Venice community demonstrated how little prepared the Survival Committee was to cope with the problem. Meetings with the police proved to be a waste of time. On the other hand, active recruiting has brought VSC membership to more than 200… in the future in dealing with public servants who think they are our masters. It is also a sign, as is this newspaper, that the Venice community finally is emerging and getting itself together.
