Addressing a Strange Situation Near the LACC Swap Meet (and How We’re Responding)

An unusual and unsanitary situation near Vermont & Marathon has affected the LACC Swap Meet. Here’s what’s happening, how authorities are responding, and what our community can do.

A witch in a forest holding a voodoo doll, evoking a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
The LACC Swap Meet has always been about community, culture, and connection. Our vendors and visitors come from all over Los Angeles to enjoy food, music, treasures, and good company. Recently, however, an unusual and unpleasant situation near Vermont Avenue and Marathon Street has prompted concerns from shoppers, vendors, and nearby residents—and we want to address it openly, responsibly, and with respect for everyone involved.

Reports have surfaced about a woman experiencing homelessness in the area who has allegedly been engaging in disturbing behavior, including throwing uncooked chickens tied to water bottles and human waste into nearby trees. This activity has created strong odors and unsanitary conditions that can be smelled throughout parts of the swap meet and onto the surrounding streets. Understandably, this has caused discomfort and concern for those visiting and working at the LACC Swap Meet.

Out of respect for the dignity of people experiencing homelessness, we want to be clear: this is not about criminalizing poverty or mental health challenges. However, the behavior itself is unsafe, unsanitary, and disruptive to our campus community. The college, local law enforcement, and campus facilities teams have all been notified and are actively responding. We’ve been informed that cleanup crews have already been out multiple times this week to remove the waste and debris, and LAPD has stepped up overnight monitoring in an effort to identify and safely intervene when the behavior occurs.

For our swap meet community, the most important thing is safety and well-being. Here are a few ways we’re working together to keep the environment clean and welcoming:

Increased monitoring and cleanup: LACC facilities and maintenance staff are coordinating with the swap meet team to respond quickly when new debris is reported.
Coordination with LAPD and campus security: Law enforcement is conducting more frequent checks, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours when the activity seems most likely to occur.
Health and safety focus: We’re prioritizing sanitation to protect vendors, visitors, and staff from potential health risks, especially in high-traffic areas of the swap meet.
Connecting to services: Whenever possible, authorities and outreach workers aim to connect individuals in crisis with mental health and housing resources instead of simply displacing them.
We recognize that this situation may feel shocking—even for Angelenos who have seen just about everything. It’s also a reminder that our city’s challenges around homelessness and mental health are very real and often intersect with public spaces like ours. While some of the behavior may seem bizarre, we encourage our community to respond with both caution and compassion. If you see anything unsafe or unsanitary near the swap meet, please do not attempt to confront anyone directly. Instead, notify swap meet staff, campus security, or call the appropriate non-emergency number so trained personnel can handle it.

Despite this unusual chapter, the spirit of the LACC Swap Meet remains strong. Our vendors continue to bring incredible food, clothing, art, electronics, and handcrafted goods every weekend. Families still stroll the aisles, neighbors still catch up over snacks, and new friendships are made under the LA sun. We’re committed to keeping the swap meet a lively, welcoming, and safe environment for everyone, and we deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our community as we work through this issue with city partners.

We’ll continue to share updates as the situation evolves and as we receive more information from LACC, LAPD, and local services. In the meantime, thank you for supporting the swap meet, for looking out for one another, and for helping us keep this corner of East Hollywood a vibrant, community-centered space.