US News Metro Long Island Politics

Sports NFL MLB Olympics NBA NHL College Football College Basketball WNBA

Business Personal Finance

Entertainment TV Movies Music Celebrities Awards Theater

Lifestyle Weird But True Sex & Relationships Viral Trends Human Interest Parenting Fashion & Beauty Food & Drink Travel

Health Wellness Fitness Health Care Medicine Men’s Health Women’s Health Mental Health Nutrition

Science Space Environment Wildlife Archaeology

Today’s Paper Covers Columnists Horoscopes Crosswords & Games Sports Odds Podcasts Careers

Email Newsletters Official Store Home Delivery Tips

They’re not ‘encampments’ — they’re gang shanties

The California Post has reported the shocking story that many homeless encampments around LA aren’t just places where the poor, addicted, and mentally ill take refuge.

They’re also apparently run by gangs. Gangs that deal drugs, collect rent, and enforce debts. 

Gangs that may kill you if you don’t pay.

According to local observers, many encampments are big businesses — in two ways.

One is the “homeless-industrial complex.” That’s the network of non-profit groups that rake in millions of dollars to address a problem that they don’t really want to solve.

Public unions' stealthy scheme will siphon $100B from NY taxpayers

The death of Ayatollah Khamenei instantly makes the world a better place

Why the left's serial insanities keep becoming the law of the land

Some homeless non-profits, of course, are above board, and work hard to help the indigent.

But others behave like a front for private and political interests. The public money keeps flowing as long as the encampments keep growing.

The other way encampments are big business is in the underground economy.

That’s what experts tell The California Post. 

It’s not just poverty that keeps people on the streets. Criminal gangs use the encampments to make money, stash drugs, stake out turf, and fund their other operations.

Human trafficking is also taking place in the encampments — and some illegal migrants are finding themselves trapped there.

The California Post spoke to a migrant family from Colombia living on Skid Row with their six-year-old son. 

The encampments in their neighborhood are run by gangs — and foreign cartels. They are surrounded by “zombies” constantly overdosing. 

One advocate says life was better for them back home. For them, the American dream has become an illusion.

But leaving may not be easy for migrant families — not when many still owe money to the cartels. 

They may be living in squalor, but they still owe a debt to those who brought them here.

Some gangsters become victims themselves, succumbing to addiction, stuck in the system they have also enforced.

The “gang shanties” are further evidence of the breakdown in law and order.

As former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva commented, gangs move in wherever laws aren’t being enforced.

LA has all kinds of laws to prevent the spread of encampments. 

Anti-camping ordinances; ordinary criminal laws; and, yes, federal immigration law, which state and local officials oppose.

Until now, there has been no political will to enforce these laws — or to protect the vulnerable people who are not just living in poverty, but who are living in fear.

Perhaps the truth will force action, and change.

Trending Now on NYPost.com

This story has been shared 58,220 times. 58,220 Austin bar shooter possibly motivated by Iran attacks, Quran found in car as FBI eyes terrorism

Austin bar shooter possibly motivated by Iran attacks, Quran found in car as FBI eyes terrorism

This story has been shared 50,407 times. 50,407 How tampons in the men's room helped derail the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal

How tampons in the men's room helped derail the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal

This story has been shared 48,584 times. 48,584 Pervy mayor's kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

Pervy mayor's kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

Most Commented Join the conversation

This story has 3.5K comments. 3.5K Hillary Clinton rips Oversight Committee after chaotic deposition on Jeffrey Epstein, UFOs and Pizzagate: 'Partisan political theater'

Hillary Clinton rips Oversight Committee after chaotic deposition on Jeffrey Epstein, UFOs and Pizzagate: 'Partisan political theater'

This story has 2.6K comments. 2.6K Manhattan DA ditches assault charge in case against NYPD snowball-pelting miscreant

Manhattan DA ditches assault charge in case against NYPD snowball-pelting miscreant

This story has 1.6K comments. 1.6K Hunter College professor placed on leave for racist hot-mic comments in front of students

Hunter College professor placed on leave for racist hot-mic comments in front of students

Cindy Adams Paying tribute to late, great music legend Neil Sedaka

Paying tribute to late, great music legend Neil Sedaka

Charles Gasparino How tampons in the men's room helped derail the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal

How tampons in the men's room helped derail the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal

Steve Cuozzo With plans for a Coney Island Business Improvement District, Mayor Mamdani might do something right

With plans for a Coney Island Business Improvement District, Mayor Mamdani might do something right

SAG Actor Awards 2026 red carpet live updates: See all the celebrity looks

Austin bar shooter possibly motivated by Iran attacks, Quran found in car as FBI eyes terrorism

Sections & Features US News Metro World News Sports Sports Betting Business Opinion Entertainment Fashion & Beauty Shopping Lifestyle Real Estate Media Tech Science Health Travel Astrology Video Photos Alexa Covers Horoscopes Sports Odds Podcasts Crosswords & Games Columnists Classifieds

Post Sports+ Subscribe Articles Manage

Newsletters & Feeds Email Newsletters RSS Feeds NY Post Official Store Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription Delivery Help

NY Post Official Store

Home Delivery Subscribe Manage Subscription

Help/Support About New York Post Editorial Standards New York Post Awards & Recognition Customer Service Apps Help Community Guidelines Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

New York Post Awards & Recognition

Contact Us Tips Newsroom Letters to the Editor Licensing & Reprints Careers Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Letters to the Editor

Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Apps iPhone App iPad App Android Phone Android Tablet

Advertise Media Kit Contact

© New York Post