Finding a Fair and Safe Solution to Oakland Homeless Encampments
42 Comments
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Help them
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Please help. The homeless encampments seem to be alarmingly growing. One man was violently throwing trash around in anger on my way home. It's not safe to be just coming home.
J
joyce vialpando
8 years ago
I believe that we can help the homeless find homes if the City opens their eyes and see the sadness in our community. These people must have had homes once, families that love them, we need to pull together and help the homeless find homes and medical attention.
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
This is a serious health and safety issues for all residents, homeless or with homes.
R
Robert Fearman
8 years ago
Yes, the trash problem has grown. It makes me think of the Dust Bowl migration in the 30's but they were cleaner and had more self respect.
D
Dina Robinson
8 years ago
Featured
I was followed to BART the other morning by a person on a bike who is residing in an encampment down the street from me. he made some disgusting comments to me. Streets in every direction from where I live are piled with needles, garbage, and worse. I am tired of the City doing absolutely nothing about this crisis.
P
Pierre Devaux
8 years ago
Do something!
A
Anthony Torza
8 years ago
My girlfriend was chased by a woman with a hatchet. This has to end.
S
Sandra Dean
8 years ago
This problem grows worse by the day. It affects the quality of life in Oakland and. carries health and safety risks for all its residents.
A
Anonymous
8 years ago
Featured
Elected officials...it's a shameful and embarrassing situation for residents, business owners and also the victims of this homeless dilemma.
Why are we encouraging people to come to Oakland when this is what we have to show our visitors or potential business investors!
N
Nancy Stults
9 years ago
The city needs to take ongoing action now as it moves toward permanent solutions.
G
Greg Stults
9 years ago
This situation is being addressed with nothing but words. Action is the only thing that counts. The only action see in our neighborhood was an absurd, one-time appeasement strategy. It as an insult to all involved.
S
Sadie V Williams
9 years ago
We are truly at a crossroads with the future of this mighty little city with a vision for its children, "The Oakland Promise" but none for it's most vulnerable. The homeless encampments are a visible challenge that must be faced with the same conviction and courage to create, collaborate and implement an immediate resolve to this sad and critical problem that speaks clearly about priorities for this town. " Love and serve the community with dignity and respect." (Jim Queen) I urge all citizens to take action, speak and hold accountable those who represent and are elected to take responsible action now!
A
Anthony Torza
9 years ago
Featured
My family and I live a block away from the 880 encampments in a single family home.
My heart goes out to these people but the trash and crime is getting too much for us to bear - both from BART and Caltrans land.
We have had our cars and house broken into and my fiance was once chased by homeless woman with a hatchet. Please help. We are losing hope that anyone cares.
B
Ben Delaney
9 years ago
While the City gives a million dollars to settle with an underage hooker, it allows hundreds of formerly middle class citizens to be forced from their homes into squalor.
Our priorities are grossly out of order. We overpay for consultants and studies, when simple logic and a small amount of courage and intentionality would work wonders. Oakland is not alone in this embarrassment, but it has a chance to stand out form the low standards accepted by our municipal neighbors by helping these unfortunate could live with a modicum of dignity in more healthful and sanitary circumstances. The alternatives are increased crime, disease, and moral ambiguity.
I am disgusted by the lack of resolve among our civic leaders, who would rather beat their chest publicly, while enjoying all the perks of office and the insulation of distance from this disgrace. It's time to act. And if our current leaders will not act, it is time for new city leadership.
M
Mary Ellen Navas
9 years ago
I know our mayor and City Council care about this. I'd like to see my city (Oakland) provide the leadership to bring together Alameda County and CA resources to address the problems of people living on the streets. It is complicated and there are many facets of this problem but with leadership and the support of Oakland residents (us) we should be able to make more than a dent in it. There will need to be federal resources and private ones too. I'd like to help too.
G
George Burtt
9 years ago
Featured
The public health is threatened by the lack of sanitation and the human waste / bio-hazards going onto the land and storm drains and into the Bay
C
Christine Saed
9 years ago
Everyone should have shelter. No one should have to live in the streets.
C
Christine Saed
9 years ago
Featured
Being poor should not be a crime. Being mentally ill should not be a crime. It is a punishment to be cast out in the streets due to factors one cannot sometimes affect. Everyone should have access to more shelter than a cyclone fence or bush. We are a rich nation - and this is a very sad commentary on our investments.
Help them
Please help. The homeless encampments seem to be alarmingly growing. One man was violently throwing trash around in anger on my way home. It's not safe to be just coming home.
I believe that we can help the homeless find homes if the City opens their eyes and see the sadness in our community. These people must have had homes once, families that love them, we need to pull together and help the homeless find homes and medical attention.
This is a serious health and safety issues for all residents, homeless or with homes.
Yes, the trash problem has grown. It makes me think of the Dust Bowl migration in the 30's but they were cleaner and had more self respect.
I was followed to BART the other morning by a person on a bike who is residing in an encampment down the street from me. he made some disgusting comments to me. Streets in every direction from where I live are piled with needles, garbage, and worse. I am tired of the City doing absolutely nothing about this crisis.
Do something!
My girlfriend was chased by a woman with a hatchet. This has to end.
This problem grows worse by the day. It affects the quality of life in Oakland and. carries health and safety risks for all its residents.
Elected officials...it's a shameful and embarrassing situation for residents, business owners and also the victims of this homeless dilemma. Why are we encouraging people to come to Oakland when this is what we have to show our visitors or potential business investors!
The city needs to take ongoing action now as it moves toward permanent solutions.
This situation is being addressed with nothing but words. Action is the only thing that counts. The only action see in our neighborhood was an absurd, one-time appeasement strategy. It as an insult to all involved.
We are truly at a crossroads with the future of this mighty little city with a vision for its children, "The Oakland Promise" but none for it's most vulnerable. The homeless encampments are a visible challenge that must be faced with the same conviction and courage to create, collaborate and implement an immediate resolve to this sad and critical problem that speaks clearly about priorities for this town. " Love and serve the community with dignity and respect." (Jim Queen) I urge all citizens to take action, speak and hold accountable those who represent and are elected to take responsible action now!
My family and I live a block away from the 880 encampments in a single family home. My heart goes out to these people but the trash and crime is getting too much for us to bear - both from BART and Caltrans land. We have had our cars and house broken into and my fiance was once chased by homeless woman with a hatchet. Please help. We are losing hope that anyone cares.
While the City gives a million dollars to settle with an underage hooker, it allows hundreds of formerly middle class citizens to be forced from their homes into squalor. Our priorities are grossly out of order. We overpay for consultants and studies, when simple logic and a small amount of courage and intentionality would work wonders. Oakland is not alone in this embarrassment, but it has a chance to stand out form the low standards accepted by our municipal neighbors by helping these unfortunate could live with a modicum of dignity in more healthful and sanitary circumstances. The alternatives are increased crime, disease, and moral ambiguity. I am disgusted by the lack of resolve among our civic leaders, who would rather beat their chest publicly, while enjoying all the perks of office and the insulation of distance from this disgrace. It's time to act. And if our current leaders will not act, it is time for new city leadership.
I know our mayor and City Council care about this. I'd like to see my city (Oakland) provide the leadership to bring together Alameda County and CA resources to address the problems of people living on the streets. It is complicated and there are many facets of this problem but with leadership and the support of Oakland residents (us) we should be able to make more than a dent in it. There will need to be federal resources and private ones too. I'd like to help too.
The public health is threatened by the lack of sanitation and the human waste / bio-hazards going onto the land and storm drains and into the Bay
Everyone should have shelter. No one should have to live in the streets.
Being poor should not be a crime. Being mentally ill should not be a crime. It is a punishment to be cast out in the streets due to factors one cannot sometimes affect. Everyone should have access to more shelter than a cyclone fence or bush. We are a rich nation - and this is a very sad commentary on our investments.
this has gone on too long.