‘I Don’t Know What We Would Do Without Them’: Fed-Up CA Residents Hire Ex-Gang Members To Curb Homelessness

Interesting california, gangs, homeless crisis, venice, venice beach admin August 18, 2026 0 Comments

‘I Don’t Know What We Would Do Without Them’: Fed-Up CA Residents Hire Ex-Gang Members To Curb Homelessness

Residents of Venice, California, have hired ex-gang members to combat the homelessness crisis impacting their city.

A group of 250 residents and businesses, including apartment owner Rick Swinger, are paying “Ghost Town Consultants” to serve as private security and protect Venice from havoc caused by the homeless encampments plaguing the city, according to the California Post. The firm was founded by Bobby Luna and Ricky Myers, both of whom have ties to the area. Luna is a reformed alcoholic, and Myers is a former homeless teen turned reformed gangster.

Residents, including Swinger, pay Luna and Myers $300 each to monitor their properties, photograph conditions, and provide updates, according to the California Post.

Swinger explained his decision to employ Luna and Myers as private security while speaking with the outlet.

“I don’t know what we would do without them,” Swinger said.

“We were in a war zone. We saw everything. I got hurt, my wife got threatened. We called for help — no one showed up,” he described conditions in Venice prior to working with Luna and Myers. “It just kept getting worse.” Swinger also told the outlet he would wear a full hazmat suit during attempted cleanup efforts in the city.

Myers offered a similar sentiment.

Myers alleged that people were high on meth, and pipes and needles were found on the ground near the local Penmar Recreation Center where he was coaching children. Practice was eventually canceled because the area wasn’t safe for the children to play.

He said he was “pissed” about what was happening, which led to the founding of “Ghost Town Consultants” with Luna.

“We did it out of our hearts because this is where we grew up,” Myers told the outlet. (RELATED: ‘They Come Like Thieves In The Night’: Mother Of Victim Blasts Gov’t Policy That Could Grant Serial Killers Parole)

The firm describes itself as having “deep roots on the West Side since the 1930’s” and providing “unmatched, personalized property management for your home or business,” according to the company’s Instagram profile.

The firm takes a peaceful approach to managing security operations.

“They come by, and they talk to them [homeless vagrants], and they get them to move,” Swinger said. “And it’s very peaceful,” he added.

Myers and Luna also hand out food to vagrants and try to help them get sober.

“We have a 24-hour policy at this office,” Luna said. “If you want to get off the street and you want to get help, come here.”