Why are the homeless allowed to do whatever they want. This street is also known on this site. Every time they are removed they should have to be the ones that clean their mess. Find two places in Oakland where these folks can set up. Other cities are making solutions , what the h... is Oakland doing, nothing. SHAMEFUL

I don't know how the homeless could be forced to clean up their mess, really, but finding an alternate location near downtown Oakland where they are allowed to set up camp would be a good first step. Portable toilets need to be provided there as well, to provide an alternative to the public elimination that's being complained about on this site. And handwashing facilities, to prevent disease. Also recycling bins and garbage dumpsters need to be provided. If we don't want a mess, we need to provide alternatives.

The only place downtown would be right by Oakland city leaders offices so they can see what the rest of us see. Portable toilets a must. It's time to do something instead of a revolving door. Its not working . Soon as a spot is cleaned up they come back over and over again. Other cities have plans, I never here anything about the homeless from city leaders.

There is a lot of public land in and around Oakland. Surely some of it would be suitable to allow homeless to set up a "tent city" or something similar, a more permanent place with more amenities, where they could live for many months or even several years if necessary. What we also need are SRO units, lots of them, to get the homeless off of the streets permanently. HUD policy caused this mess, and HUD needs to fix it.

The City of Oakland Public Works Department has referred this issue to CODE ENFORCEMENT,. 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.

wonderful- your referral over six weeks ago has led to nothing... losing faith in the people running this city

The homeless basically run this city. Cat and mouse games need to stop.