The question is, not safe for whom? If there are homeless people living there, then evidently they believe it is safer for them than their other options. We should be a little careful about blaming the homeless for their situation, because any of us could become homeless at any time with just a little bit of bad luck. Countless news articles have documented that most people could not survive a major financial setback these days, unlike decades ago when people had more resources and assets.

Thank you for your request. According to our system, we already have an open service request of this kind at this location. Your request has been combined with service request #658291. If you would like to check the status of the request, please contact the Public Works Call Center at 510-615-5566 or pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com.

Imskeptical, while I see your point, these encampments are not safe, most of the homeless have been on the street for years, there's usually drug use, mental issues, theft, not to say a health issue for all. They have to want the help to get out and part of that is our governments fault that fails to address the mental issues of our society. I would have m no problem with these encampments is they were in one area, they had sanitary facilities. Services and a place to discard their syringes

The government probably isn't going to do anything to help or care for the homeless in the foreseeable future, no matter how much we want that or how often we demand it. This isn't a priority for the 1% or even the top 10% of incomes in this area, nor for people who do not live near places where the homeless are camping. Whatever they happen to see, they ignore.

The trash that is piled up on both sides of the street is the issue. Nothing is being done to clean it up. I understand we have a homeless issue here in Oakland but the trash is a PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE since it is piling into the street.

City needs to drop off a dumpster and let the people living there put their garbage into it, and then arrange for garbage and portapotty service. Cheaper than any alternative City could possibly come up with, to solve the immediate problem. If the folks living there do not clean the area up even with the free dumpster, THEN roust them out of there. But give them a chance to clean it up and stay put before adding to their problems.

Sounds like a great idea..

That's what Seattle is doing basically and it's sounds like a plan that Oakland could do, it's just getting them to do it

There are already portapotties and trash removal close to this location. Which is why the encampment has been left alone. But it has just spread wildly over the last few months. They need a proper place to stay not a street corner.