This encampment appears to be unobtrusive, and there is no indication that the people living here are harming anyone. If the homeless people camping here clean up after themselves, why not leave them alone and let them stay here? There is quite a lot of public land in and around Oakland that might actually benefit if homeless people camped there and cared for the property. They might have better ideas of how to arrange a homeless encampment than anyone else, and clearly there is a need for homeless encampments: if the homeless were provided housing, they would not be homeless.

The City of Oakland Public Works Department has referred this issue to CALTRANS TRAFFIC,. Please contact that department to follow-up (see "Other Helpful Links" at http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/PWA/Connect/ReportaProblem/index.htm#Links).

Here are some important City of Oakland contact points:
* Abandoned Autos: 510-777-8622 (abandoned vehicles on public street after 3 days)
* Animal Control: 510-535-5602 (live animals) or 510-535-4888 (dead animals)
* Code Enforcement: 510-238-3381 (blighted private properties, deteriorated buildings, inoperable vehicles on private property)
* Drug Hotline: 510-238-3784 (tips) or 510-777-3211 (in progress)
* Parking Citations: 800-500-6484 (parking citation assistance center, pay or appeal a citation) or 510-238-3099 (enforcement)
* Prostitution Hotline: 510-238-2373 (tips) or 510-777-3211 (in progress)

Thank you.

I'm fine with people camping here but for the record they leave a ton of trash that I pick up daily. Just yesterday a man sleeping outside my building left enough trash to fill a brown grocery bag. Not complaining, just saying it's not fair to say the encampments don't result in more trash in our neighborhood.

sounds like this is in limbo