Mayor Karen Bass denies link between homeless encampment cleanup and upcoming LA sporting events

Mayor Bass takes questions at encampment cleanup

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took questions during a homeless encampment cleanup in Van Nuys as part of her Inside Safe program on Thursday.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass set the record straight after city crews cleared a homeless encampment visible from the 405 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley on Thursday.

Homeless encampment cleared in Van Nuys

What we know:

Aerial images from SkyFOX showed city crews conducting a sweep of a homeless encampment located at 15350 Oxnard St. in Van Nuys, near Sepulveda Boulevard.

Massive Van Nuys homeless encampment cleared

A notorious homeless encampment in Van Nuys was cleared out as part of Mayor Karen Bass' "Inside Safe" program, while workers were met with protesters in favor of keeping the encampment.

The cleanup was part of Mayor Bass' Inside Safe program, which aims to get those experiencing homelessness back on their feet by offering housing and other opportunities.

City officials said an estimated 55 people accepted housing from Thursday's operation.

What they're saying:

Bass denied that Thursday's cleanup had anything to do with Los Angeles hosting a series of major sporting events in the coming years, stating that helping the unhoused is part of her overall goal for the city.

"This is not because of sporting events happening. On day one of my administration, I declared a state of emergency, and we have been removing encampments and housing people for two and a half years, and we will continue doing it as long as I sit in the mayor's office," she said.

Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles, waves the Olympic flag as Thomas Bach, President of International Olympic Committee, applauds during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo (Getty Images)

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Next year, Los Angeles is set to host the NBA All-Star Game as well as the FIFA World Cup. In 2027, Super Bowl LXI will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. In 2028, Los Angeles takes the worldwide stage when it hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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