A never ending story. Same streets as always. Since public works knows of these encampments, why not do a weekly sweep and issue stay away orders while they clean. Start doing something.

This guy has been camping here for almost a year. I almost think the city refuses to do anything about it. Our whole neighborhood has called hundreds of times over the last year.

This is the home of my neighbor Darius. He uses the wood to build chairs, tables, and toys for sale at local stores and often makes gifts for the people in our neighborhood. He watches our cars at night and since he moved here, the number of car break-ins and smashed windows has gone down. I know his home isn't pretty, but he is kind, generous, and mostly drug-free. I've considered asking him to organize his workshop better, or finding a container for his stuff. Consider having a conversation with him before tearing down his home.

Thank you FortheloveofWestOak. At least we know who we're dealing with. You are correct in saying that car break-ins have gone down. The last person occupying that space had a violent temper and sold drugs from his van. I do agree that he could organize his workspace a little better.

Maybe you and your neighbors could show a little neighborly love and rent hiom a porta potty how about little house trailer in one of your driveways. Because what Darius is doing is illegal he breaking numerous muni-codes. Once you make an exception for one then you have to make it for all. I have people in my neighborhood that have been on the streets 20 plus years they do not want housing and they do not want anyone telling what they can and cant do. They break the law because that is the only way they can get by. You are not helping Darius.

David: This site is a like a big billboard announcing that we don't care about our neighborhood. Consequently, there's been a marked increase in trash and graffiti around the neighborhood since he set up camp there.

Additionally, several large camper vans have started to park right next to him because apparently they now know that the city won't take action against anyone camping on the street. It's been a rapid decline for the surrounding streets since he's been there.

ForthelovofWestOAk , this might be ur friend, but its not good for the neighborhood. More and more will start setting up, plus it's unsanitary and unhealthy. The homeless break the laws because they can. If u want to help this man, help him set up things right or give him a space to do it so he's not making a mess for all to see.

There are homeless shelters and programs available. You are probably right that he would rather live on the streets than go through any of these programs. But that is his choice. It's also his choice to setup where he's setup. It would be nice if he would get into a program to get off the streets, but short of that he could also simply set up away from our homes. Perhaps by the tracks or some of the other warehouses. It's not ideal, but there's a big difference between camping next to someone's home and camping next to a warehouse.

I feel like I'm really not asking for much there. I'm not unsympathetic to him, but at the same time, I don't think he's being sympathetic to our community.

There lots of advocates out there. At least one group leaves all the box's ( hundreds) and food from donation in the Dimond neighborhood. The news stated Santa Clara county spent more than 500 million on the homeless last year. The homeless are still on the streets and someone's getting rich.

It is not a home, it is a place he squats temporarily. By letting him stay there & make a mess, we are saying that we tolerate trash all over the place (dumping) and other transient encampments with their associated problems. As stated previously, exemptions are hard to justify. I also question the association of him being there and the decrease in crime. Is he actively doing something to prevent crime or are you giving him the credit that is due to the residents who have become hyper-vigilant after being victimized by crime?

Usually the crime starts, the graffiti, the illegal dumping, theft etc. It's not only that, it's not healthy and unsanitary for the neighborhood. There is help out there, which most don't want, but they should not be allowed to set up wherever they feel like it. Since they don't want housing than they should not be allowed to set up in neighborhoods . Start issuing stay away orders.