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Venice Residents Frustrated As Business Owners Hold Closed Meeting Over Growing Security Problem

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — Venice business owners held a closed-door meeting Monday night to address what they say is a growing security problem in the area, frustrating residents and concerned locals excluded from the talks.

Two days after part of Clabe Hartley's finger was bitten off by a transient at The Cow's End Cafe on Washington Boulevard, the restaurant owner had hoped to share his concerns with the community.

But he and several other people, including nearby residents and the media, were surprised to learn the meeting was restricted to a select group of business owners.

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Brittney Seeliger, who is not a Venice business owner, organized the meeting at a magnet school. Still, the exclusive nature of the meeting led many to wonder why she was there.

"[It's] not secrecy. We really want to stay focused on the goal and mission is at hand," she insisted, adding the group's goal is to create a business-improvement association.

Others turned away from the meeting included Mark Ryavek, president of the Venice Homeowner's Association, which is suing the city and the county of Los Angeles for not dealing with what they say is a growing homeless problem in Venice.

Ryavek says what happened to Hartley is further proof that more needs to be done.

"There are a lot of drugs, there are a lot of mentally ill people, and they lose it," he said.

Residents who share those concerns came to speak at the meeting but also were not allowed inside.

Mickey Shuman says he's lived in Venice for more than two decades and wishes all Venice residents, not just business owners, could gather to discuss the issues.

"I'm just listening outside the store because they won't let me in," Schuman said. "It's disturbing because I want to be in on what's going on in my neighborhood."

Police have arrested the man accused of biting off part of Hartley's finger.

Hartley now thinks businesses in Venice may need to hire private security.

"[We need to] figure out what it is we need to do to make our area better," he said.

The group of business owners who gathered Monday night plan to meet again next month.

They say the public and media will not be permitted to attend.

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