Oakland residents use planter boxes to prevent encampments from returning
OAKLAND — Neighbors and business owners are partnering with the city to ensure once city workers clear an encampment it doesn't return days later.
After months of complaints, the city of Oakland on Thursday finally removed an encampment that had been blocking the emergency exit of Ascend Charter School in the Fruitvale district. The encampment, located near the intersection of San Leandro Street and 38th Avenue, had become a source of concern for neighbors and parents due to safety hazards and illegal activities in the area.
Community members, like Perla Benitez, whose three children attend Ascend Charter School, are breathing a sigh of relief.
"I feel great. The children are excited," Benitez shared. "When they came home from school, they were so happy. They said 'Mom, mom, the people doing bad things are not there anymore.' I'm just happy for them."
Prior to the encampment's removal, neighbors and children reported seeing abandoned cars at the site, witnessing people shooting up and selling drugs. Some parents and school staff even shared a photo of an individual reportedly from the encampment climbing over the school's fence to steal.
Students also reported seeing fights between adults while attending outdoor gardening classes just feet away from the encampment. After city workers cleared the site on Thursday, neighbors immediately placed donated large planter boxes on 38th Avenue to deter the return of the encampment.
"This is beautiful. This is a complete 360, at least in my eyes, because now we have these beautiful planters in which kids can come out to water them," said Benitez.
Preston Turner, who works for Councilman Noel Gallo in District 5, acted as a key liaison between residents and city agencies to get the encampment cleared.
He noted that this was not the first time the area had been cleared. Turner said they removed the encampment back in August, but the vehicle dwellers returned within a couple of weeks. He said neighbors learned this time they have to get involved to have a sustained result.
"As soon as it was cleared, we have our own form of beautification and deterrence that will prevent re-encampment," said Turner.
Turner emphasized the community involvement, saying it's important for neighbors and businesses to take ownership and partner with the city.
Similar community-driven solutions have been implemented in nearby areas. For example, a local railroad company placed large boulders near train tracks to prevent the dumping of stolen cars. On East 9th Street between Fruitvale Avenue and 37th Avenue, just a few blocks from Ascend Charter School, neighbors spent their own money to install heavy cement blocks in the street after the city removed a large encampment there in December.
Randy Scalzitti, owner of The Pack Fruitvale, a dog boarding and daycare facility, said it took years to remove the RVs that had been blocking his business on E 9th Street. Some RV dwellers were reportedly selling drugs right in front of his facility.
"I feel empowered again. It felt like a helpless situation," said Scalzitti.
"If it wasn't for the collaboration of the neighbors on East 9th and the businesses on East 9th, it wouldn't have been (removed). That encampment had been there for over three or four years. Prostitution, drug selling, even cooking up meth," said Turner of the former encampment that was on E 9th Street.
Scalzitti and others said while the method forces them to lose street parking, they couldn't use the parking spaces before when the encampment was there.
"I got a parking ticket for $110 for parking on the sidewalk. But it was still worth it because these guys were gone," said Scalzitti.
Scalzitti and Benitez both expressed that the clearing of the encampment is just the beginning. They plan to add more boxes and plants to beautify the area and create a more welcoming environment.
"This is basically proof of persistence and hard work and determination," said Benitez as she pointed at the planter boxes.
Although the city offered transitional housing to the RV dwellers before the encampment was removed, Turner said most declined the offer. The city has asked for patience from residents, acknowledging the challenge of managing hundreds of encampments throughout Oakland with limited resources.
As the neighborhood continues to work together, the hope is that the changes will be lasting, providing a safer environment for families and businesses in the Fruitvale district.
