Setting the Record Straight: How the Marathon & Vermont Cleanup Really Happened

The LACC Swap Meet has always been about community, safety, and a fun environment for everyone who visits our corner of Los Angeles. Because this is our home too, we take the conditions around the swap meet very seriously — including what happens on nearby streets like Marathon & Vermont. Recently, some false claims have been circulating about who’s responsible for cleaning up the raw chickens, feces, and other debris that had been left in the trees and on the corner. It’s time to set the record straight, respectfully but clearly.

There is a particular individual on the streets — a former vendor who was removed from our market years ago for multiple rule violations — who has been walking around taking credit for the cleanup at Marathon & Vermont. He has been telling people that he was the one who got the raw chickens and waste removed and that he is behind the improved conditions. This is simply not true. While we always welcome genuine efforts to make the neighborhood better, taking false credit for other people’s hard work doesn’t help our community and misleads both shoppers and vendors.

The real story is that the cleanup at Marathon & Vermont has been an ongoing, coordinated effort led by the ownership and management of the LACC Swap Meet, in partnership with law enforcement and professional cleanup crews. For months, we have been:

• Reporting unsanitary and unsafe conditions to the proper city and county channels

• Working with LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department to monitor activity in the area

• Scheduling and paying for cleanup crews to come out and properly remove hazardous waste

• Advocating for a safer, cleaner environment for families, vendors, and neighbors

Most recently, the cleanup that everyone noticed — the removal of raw chickens, feces, and debris from the trees on the corner of Marathon & Vermont — was arranged directly by the swap meet’s ownership. Early yesterday morning, we coordinated with cleanup crews to come out specifically to address that problem area. They arrived as scheduled, did a thorough job, and helped restore some dignity and cleanliness to that corner. There was no involvement from the individual now claiming credit; the work was already planned, approved, and executed through our ongoing efforts.

We also want to recognize the people who actually deserve credit. Robert Allen and our dedicated staff have been at the forefront of this work, fielding calls, coordinating with agencies, and showing up early to walk the property and surrounding blocks. Their commitment goes far beyond what most people see on a weekend visit. On top of that, our cooperation with LAPD, the Sheriff’s Department, and municipal cleanup teams has been essential to making real, lasting improvements — not just a one-time sweep.

Our goal isn’t to create drama; it’s to protect the integrity of the LACC Swap Meet and the safety of everyone who comes here. We welcome honest street vendors who follow the rules, respect the community, and want to build something positive alongside us. But we will also continue to speak up when misinformation spreads or when someone with a history of violations tries to insert themselves into efforts they did not lead or support. The LACC Swap Meet will keep investing time, money, and energy into keeping our environment clean and family-friendly, and we want our community to know exactly where those efforts are coming from.

LETTER FROM ROBERT ALLEN

Good afternoon, Phillip,

In regard to concerns and odors to the parking lot (1) one trees - We have dispatched the assigned Gardener 5-11-26 who has removed all elements that were the cause of the stench of bottles holding feces - actual raw chicken hanging from trees. We have had this monitored this week and it appears It's a person - indigenous who is practicing some type of ritual in that our assigned gardener came across. There was swift efforts in resolve to the call on Monday and the Gardener gave a clear account as of today before end of shift. We will continue to monitor and remove, contacting Sherrif's in cases of actual occurrences. Please continue to notify as needed, we do not have Gardening on site Weekends - however, will monitor Monday through Friday as to deter. See attached  

Thank you,

Robert Robert H Allen Operations Manager Operations Department Los Angeles City College 855 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA  90029

To our shoppers, neighbors, and vendors: thank you for supporting a clean, respectful environment around the swap meet. If you see unsafe or unsanitary conditions near Marathon & Vermont or around the market, please let our office or staff know. Together — with transparency, teamwork, and real action — we’ll keep making this corner of Los Angeles a place we can all be proud of.

Please DO NOT support the street vendors surrounding the swap meet. They're in violation of City Ordinance. 17,000 students have lost there financial aide, sales in the swap meet are down 85%. It's unsafe, illegal and unethical. Visit nogohugo.com for facts and more information. Unless something changes, the swap meet may have to close for good!

Our swap meet is comprised of Street Vendors doing it the right way. Please support them by boycotting vendors on Marathon, Madison, Monroe and Vermont between Marathon and Monroe.

Stand for change and DO NOT VOTE for Hugo Soto Martinez.