Dangerous Encampments Causing Alarm for Mission Hills Residents
In the August issue, I provided editorial on an ongoing problem behind the Extended Stay hotel on Taylor Street where some unhoused individuals are staying in rooms while others appear to be camping outside the property. Rather than remaining inside the hotel, certain residents have created encampments dangerously close to homes on the northern side of Mission Hills.
The concern is not simply that people are camping outdoors; it is that the location of these encampments creates a serious public safety risk for nearby homes, and open space on the hillside.
What is extremely worrisome about this is that in addition to living on a hillside not meant for human habitation, the homeless individuals are creating fire pits that have already caused fires in Presidio Park and near homes.
Mission Hills homeowners say they have repeatedly brought the problem to the attention of Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s office, but they are directed back to the city’s Get It Done system. They have filed reports numerous times, and I reviewed them.
Those reports describe two encampments in the same area on a city easement between hotel properties and single-family residences to the south and above the site. They note dogs, signs of fire, needles and syringes, and a large amount of flammable trash, including cardboard and boxes.
As these neighbors have stated, “What is the point of reporting this if nothing is done to correct it?”
This past month, I was informed of a post on Nextdoor by another Mission Hills resident. In her post she made the following statement, “A homeless encampment in the canyon below UCSD Hospital has been generating a ton of trash and is a terrible eyesore. But last night they lit a fire in the brush. I called the fire dept and the fire was extinguished. I’ve tried everything to get the encampment removed- emails to city council member, contact with Channel 7 and sent five Get it Done submissions but no luck. The fire risk is serious.”
At the same time, I have been notified of frequent fires occurring in Presidio Park and the ongoing risk to homes close by.
As I mentioned in the August issue, it’s obvious that we’re not getting any assistance from our elected officials and will have to take other action to get results.
That’s why a large group of Mission Hills residents are working on a comprehensive plan to address the unhoused and those living in the hotels on Taylor Street. Unfortunately, when people have drug and alcohol issues, and don’t have the skillset to live independently, they need observant and capable people to keep them safe and protect the communities where they reside.
If you want to report other problems of a similar nature, please call (619) 296-8731.
Category: Community, Homeless, Housing, Local News
