A viral video of a homeless encampment near University of California, Berkeley student housing in Berkeley, California, has sparked concerns about public safety and sanitation in the area.
The video, posted by longtime reporter Lyanne Melendez on X, shows the encampment near University Village, a university-owned housing complex in neighboring Albany. Melendez shared the video after dropping off her son at the complex, and expressed concern about the conditions surrounding the encampment.
University officials have stated that the encampment is not located on university property, and that the city of Berkeley is responsible for addressing the issue. A UC Berkeley spokesperson told Fox News Digital that students navigate the encampments daily, and that the university has no jurisdiction to address the issue.
Local students have shared their own experiences with the encampment, with one student stating that it is a daily reality for them. The student, John Paul Leon, said that seeing homeless individuals is a normal occurrence, but that it can be startling for visiting families.
Business owners in the area have also expressed frustration with the conditions surrounding the encampment. Emily Winston, founder and CEO of Berkeley-based Boichik Bagels, described the area as a "slum out of a Third World country," with feces and needles found on properties and sidewalks. Winston said that the encampment has led to a decline in onsite sales, as families avoid the area due to safety concerns.
Winston and other local businesses have joined a lawsuit against the city over corridor conditions. City officials have stated that their hands are tied due to lawsuits challenging encampment sweeps, but that they are working to address public health and safety concerns.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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