City leaders in Fremont have unanimously approved a ban on long-term RV parking as part of their latest effort to curb encampments.
Eddie Benson, who owns a business on Albrae Street near Interstate 880, counted 41 RVs lining the street in front of his dealership this month. Benson said this trailer has been growing for five years, but the people living in it are now creating dangerous conditions for his staff and customers.
Benson says his water bill was more than $300 before he protected his stock with locked cages. That wasn’t enough to curb activity near his dealership.
He showed CBS News Bay Area surveillance videos of people breaking into, setting fires on his property and even releasing sewage into his parking lot.
Benson said he has asked the city several times to intervene, but he feels his complaints are falling on deaf ears.
“Society needs help, but they need to help them,” Benson said. “They are the laws of a society that apply to everyone, not just those who can afford to follow the rules.”
On Tuesday, the Fremont City Council voted to impose a 72-hour parking limit on city streets. The ordinance includes a ban on RV parking in residential areas, as well as areas near schools and churches.
CBS
Word of the ban has sparked fear among people living on Albrae Street.
One woman, who did not want to be identified, told CBS News Bay Area that the ban is cruel and leaves people like her with no choice.
Alan Grant often walks up and down Albrae and has friends who live here. He said it would be difficult for people to get around because most RVs are not functional.
Grant said the ban would make more sense if the city gave people a place to get around.
“It’s a nightmare, dude. It’s not good,” Grant said. “These people are living well because they have the RVs, but once they lose them, things just get bad.”
Fremont has a secure parking program that provides five parking spaces for cars, but has been criticized for not having room for RVs. Back at the dealership, Benson said he feels sorry for the people living on the streets, but hopes a measure will eventually stick.
“It has to be personal for everyone, for every member of this community,” Benson said. “This isn’t just an isolated group of people in the shadows or in the corners. This is everywhere.”
The ban is expected to come into effect on December 12.
