Hesperian neighborhood residents urge San Leandro to act on railroad encampments after fires, assaults and rock‑throwing
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Summary
Multiple residents told the council they face regular fires, assaults, rock‑throwing and human waste from unhoused encampments along the Union Pacific/BART rail corridor near Hesperian Gardens and asked the city to coordinate with Union Pacific, County and state agencies for a permanent solution.
Several residents from the Hesperian Gardens neighborhood spoke during public comment Monday, telling the City Council that longstanding encampments along the Union Pacific/BART corridor have created ongoing public‑safety hazards — fires, assaults and large amounts of trash and human waste — and asked for a coordinated response.
“I'm worried about his safety,” Be o Salvo, a resident who lives across from Bay Fair BART, told the council, describing repeated fires and children walking near the site. Celine Huang said the encampments have been present “since December 2020” and listed incidents including property damage, a 2021 attempted stabbing of her mother and reports that the California Highway Patrol recently searched the area for a murder suspect.
“I can smell what they're burning,” Raymond Jin said. “It only takes one ember to land on our roof and cause something devastating.” Jin and other speakers described nightly noise, aggressive behavior and dogs at the encampments and said the disruptions have deterred family visits and made residents fearful to walk outside.
Speakers asked the city to coordinate with Union Pacific Railroad, Alameda County and state agencies to pursue a permanent plan for the railroad corridor. Several said they had reported the locations repeatedly through SeeClickFix and other channels but had seen only temporary cleanups. Council members noted that public comment items are not deliberated under the Brown Act and that more detailed staff briefings and coordination with Caltrans, the county and Union Pacific would be appropriate.
City staff have previously reported they coordinate with Union Pacific and with the county on encampment cleanups that are on railroad property or within the right of way; residents asked the council to press for quicker, coordinated action and for an update on next steps.
Ending: Council members said staff would follow up with detailed coordination steps; residents requested a written response about next steps and interagency coordination.