Gaby Herbst, left, and Paula Parenzand sit outside 1930’s era bungalows in Venice. The 1.6 million dollar artists’ lofts in the background were finished and went on the market last month. In years past, the Oakwood neighborhood in Venice has been the scene of fierce gang warfare and violence. Now it has largely gentrified, with houses selling for million-plus. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Longtime Oakwood resident Jataun Valentine lives in the home her grandfather built 81 years ago. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
A homeless man rests in an alley near million-dollar homes in the Oakwood neighborhood of Venice. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
A woman walks her dog across from a walled compound residence at Westminster & 5th in the Oakwood neighborhood of Venice. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
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A homeless woman rests in the alley driveway of million-dollar homes in the Oakwood neighborhood of Venice. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Police presence in the Oakwood neighborhood of Venice is high since the shooting earlier this week at Venice High School. (Spencer Weiner / LAT)
Michael Hunt speaks about the lack of jobs in Venice Beach during a town hall meeting called by Councilman Bill Rosendahl at the Oakwood Community Center in Venice Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)
