Like the heaps of trash that are accumulating in Oakland’s Fruitvale District, complaints are growing against a sizable vacant property.
Adjacent to the busy intersection of E 12th St and 29th Ave, the property is situated at 2783 E 12th St. The homeless have taken over the land, according to the neighbors.
According to them, the garbage has been accumulating there for the past two years. But because of the amount of rubbish, it has gotten much worse in recent months and is now inaccessible.
“No one seems to care that there are one, two, three, or four schools close to this garbage heap. Diosa Diaz, a social worker and teacher at International Community School, often known as ICS Elementary, grumbled, “This is supposed to be normal for us.”
The four schools and an adjacent childcare facility serve about 1,000 children. The four educational institutions are Latitude High School, Lazear Charter Academy, Think College Now (TCN Elementary), and ICS.
Diaz told CBS News Bay Area, “I drive by this every single day and I feel really angry.” “We have children that walk pass here every day to come to school.”
Large fires and police activity at the vacant site forced Diaz and the other schools to go on lockdown, they told CBS News Bay Area.
In recent years, the Oakland Fire Department has extinguished several fires at the property. In October 2023, firefighters reported that one of the two structures on the property was destroyed by a big fire that was probably sparked by the homeless.
According to them, the one building that remains is occupied by people.
Parent Karina Flores told CBS News Bay Area, “I’ve received notifications the school is on lockdown for X, Y reasons, so it’s concerning.”
According to Flores, she worries about her child’s safety constantly. Her 3-year-old twin boys attend the daycare center next door, while her 5-year-old daughter attends ICS.
“Me or my mom personally pick them up after (school each day), get in the car, and leave,” Flores said.
The heaps of rubbish left in the lot, according to parents and educators, are a reflection of the situation on East 12th Street. This one-mile area between 29th Avenue and 14th Avenue is home to several sizable encampments.
According to Diaz, during a recent safety discussion between city and school officials, the city said they were powerless to take any action because the land is private.
“It’s frightening. “I feel like we support and educate kids in a post-apocalyptic world,” Diaz remarked.
The home owner informed CBS News Bay Area over the phone that he and his lender are engaged in a legal dispute. He claimed that an injunction prohibiting him from accessing or overseeing the lot was issued by the U.S. District Court in San Francisco and the Alameda County Superior Court.
By the time of publication, he was unable to submit the court documents for scrutiny to CBS News Bay Area. However, he acknowledged that the situation has angered and frustrated him as well.
The owner said that the legal battle had been going on for a number of years.
Diaz and other educators and students are still coping with the fallout.
“I know (the city is) doing their darndest, but they need to do better,” Diaz added.
The city was called by CBS News Bay Area on Friday morning, but as of press time, they had not responded. We wanted to know why, as is customary with blighted sites, the property owner should get the bill after the property has been cleaned up.
Neighbors stated that the city must take action regarding the problem, even though there is no immediate remedy due to the legal battle between the owner and the lender.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.