A lot of them don't care because they know the city leaders we have are going to keep on allowing them to do as they please. Some have mental issues, but some know exactly what they are doing, like playing the cat and mouse game with the city. This looks like whoever put out these chemicals for the homeless to take is to blame and no one knows who it is. Until our government starts doing something about mental illness And till the city leaders get it together and do something with the homeless Oakland will continue to look, smell, like the real city dump.

Until the city of Oakland comes up with sanitary facilities for the homeless this is what's going to happen. Does Oakland even have a shower and toilet facility for the homeless? There should be several throughout the city , if not. Don't know if it would help, but give them some kind of dignity and so the rest of us don't have to see them on the streets doing their business.

I believe there are several "shelters" for homeless in downtown Oakland. With city and landlord support install showers and washer and dryers along with the toilets. Shelter can supply assistance with extra clothes if necessary. Request (not mandatory) donation of token amount for a meal and hygiene assistance to give dignity and responsibility to the homeless. Or for more control (and separation of church and state) have the city set up some kind of shelter in downtown Oakland.

I know there is CITYTEAM which provides shelter for men only. They feed men and women, but only shelter the men. I know there is operation dignity who claim they provide for veterans. The city needs to make facilities in west Oakland, around lake Merritt if they are going to let them stay there. Not enough is being done and letting it go is a health issue to all of us.

City of Oakland Public Works Department addressed this issue on 08/26/2016, service request #657084.