Problem Solving Officers Help Fight Blight in a Central Oakland Neighborhood
Oakland problem solving officers are currently cleaning up a bank owned lot that had become a major blight issue for a Central Oakland neighborhood. The lot, which includes three detached houses, was overrun with trash, weeds, graffiti, broken glass, and abandoned vehicles. According to Problem Solving Officer Eric Castaneda, who has taken an active role in this project, neighborhood residents were alarmed by the presence of loiterers, squatters, and consistent traffic in and out of the abandoned homes.
Oakland problem solving officers conducted a thorough investigation of the homes. Officers recovered five stolen vehicles, identified over twenty squatters, and arrested six squatters who had outstanding warrants for crimes, including assault, robbery, and burglary. After notifying the bank of the nuisance, the problem solving officers wanted to get more people involved in cleaning up the property. They contacted the beat officers, the CRT, the fire inspector, and the city building inspector. Since then, two of the homes were declared unsafe, the squatters in these homes were removed, and Public Works secured the homes.
The Deputy DA gave the bank 30 days to take care of the problems on the property. At the conclusion of the thirty days, the DA will review the case.
The problem solving officers continue to monitor the property. Since they began to clean up the lot, no crimes or stolen vehicles have been reported. Officer Castaneda has noted that the loiterers have moved on and that neighborhood residents have reported a positive change in the neighborhood.