Rachel Brooke

There is debris, a tent, and city trash cans blocking the sidewalk on the southwest corner of Mandela Ave and 14th street. Pedestrians aren’t able to use the sidewalk and the block doesn’t have crosswalks, this is seriously impeding foot traffic.

There appear to have been several requests covering five years about this unsafe intersection, and I make this report separately to share current conditions which are getting less safe all the time. Traffic lights are flashing red such that drivers are to treat it like a four-way stop, but trucks (heavy users of this intersection) are no longer doing this. I was nearly hit by a truck that failed to come to a complete stop and arrived at the intersection after I did. Please remedy this highly dangerous condition by turning the traffic light back on, I am legitimately afraid for my life every time I use this intersection, and there are no alternative routes available without my having to go miles out of my way.

There is debris scattered across the Bay Bridge Trail on Mandela Parkway at 16th street, in addition to two tents (one not pictured). Children and dogs play here and it is a city-maintained pedestrian thoroughfare. I am concerned this section is beginning to turn into a proper encampment.

Multiple people are living in a tent which takes up the entire sidewalk in front of a church and a large building that serves as senior living. Bikes are constantly parked next to the tent, blocking the sidewalk and creating an obstruction for seniors, who are at particular risk during the pandemic. The tent's inhabitants are threatening our neighbors and making the entire block feel very unsafe. I was prompted to make this report because one of the men living in the tent loudly threatened to kill a woman walking nearby, which I could hear from my window down the street. I took the attached photo from my car because I did not feel safe pointing a camera at the tent in view of its occupants. This is a blight on the neighborhood and a blatant health risk, and failing to address it would be incredibly irresponsible.