Growing homeless population in Mar Vista neighborhood has many worried about crime spike

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Homelessness is a growing problem no matter where you look, but when violence erupts, hard-working residents in Mar Vista say enough is enough.

When shots were fired at a homeless encampment on Venice Boulevard under the 405 freeway in the middle of the day Monday, people who live and work in the area say they fear for their life and they've had enough of the encampments.

Some residents believe the rise of homeless encampments in the area has also increased violence.

The sanitation department and Los Angeles Police Department moved all of the homeless and their belongings out on Tuesday but within minutes of authorities leaving the area, most of the people they had cleared out returned.

Police say they have considerable resources in the Mar Vista area to deter criminal activity. Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin is working to help offer viable solutions for the homeless population such as shelters and storage spaces for their belongings.