On Tuesday, the City of Antioch coordinated a cleanup effort of a homeless encampment on Wilbur Avenue and cleared the area.
Wilbur Avenue has been an eyesore for many as it had become a makeshift homeless encampment area filled with RV’s, broken down vehicles, tires, trash, and other items. Residents for months have called for the camp to be removed, while others called for more services to be made available.
“The cleanup in Antioch is more than just a citywide effort; it represents a step towards a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community for all residents. In a coordinated endeavor, city departments, Contra Costa County, local tow companies, and vendors have each played specific roles, from planning and logistics to action on the ground. While the financial cost of this operation is currently being assessed, the immediate focus has been on the human aspect of this situation,” stated Reed.
Image taken January 4, 2024
Over the past few months, this publication has posted videos of the encampment and number of RV’s:
- Dec 8, 2023 – 28 RV’s
- Jan 6, 2024 – 31 RV’s — see video
- Feb 3, 2024 – 34 RVs — see video
- March 4, 2024 – 34 RV’s — see video
Reed added that there were over 70 vehicles parked and 48 were able to leave the premises on their own while 22 had to be towed. None of the vehicles were reported stolen.
“The 22 that were towed were done with the utmost consideration, safeguarding against any infringement of personal rights and confirming that no vehicles were previously reported stolen,” explained Reed.
This action, while significant, is just a part of our ongoing commitment to revitalizing Antioch, and we welcome the community’s involvement and feedback as we move forward together.
The cost of the cleanup or number of dump loads was not provided Friday.
It is unclear if and when Antioch will clear out other encampments around the city, such as Highway 4 near Lone Tree Way or in the Somersville area.
Tuesday Statement on Cleanup:
Teaming up to revitalize our community.
Today, numerous City departments partnered to clean up Wilbur Avenue. With a coordinated effort that included our Code Enforcement team, Police Department, Public Works, Public Safety & Community Resources Department, the Angelo Quinto Crisis Response Team (AQCRT), Parking Enforcement, and Antioch Animal Services the Wilbur Avenue area has been abated. In total, 70 vehicles were cleared and support services were offered to people and pets at the location. Together, we can make a difference!
We would also like to thank our Contra Costa County partners for their support leading up to today
In August of 2023, the Antioch City Council approved a $1.365 million contract for on-call homeless encampment cleanup services throughout the City of Antioch.
Previous Stories:
- Feb 4 – Antioch Touts 82% Success Rate With Homeless Program
- July 26, 2023 – Antioch to Spend $2.3 Million For On-Call Homeless Encampment Cleanup
- Aug 21, 2023 – Antioch Set to Award $2.3 Million Homeless Encampment Cleanup Contract
- June 28, 2023 – Antioch Mayor Talks Ballot Measure to Fund Crisis Response and Homeless Hotel
- June 14, 2023 – Richmond and Antioch See Largest Gain in Homeless Population in Contra Costa County
15 comments
The cost for cleanup wouldn’t have been anywhere near what it was if the city had been diligent about not allowing them to park in the area. The city also did nothing in regard to “services” except to tell the homeless to “Go to Oakley.” Funny how an Oakley Lieutenant pulled over one of these illegal RVs during the cleanup and discovered it was being driven by a wanted sexual offender in violation of registering. Funny how Antioch just allowed this and only pushed the problem toward Oakley without actually taking steps to solve the problem.
First it was one, then two RV’s…….and that was a year or so ago. Diligence would have been key in never allowing it to start in the first place. The no parking signs also existed along the stretch when the problem began way back when- 9pm to 5am or something like that-and yet the campers were allowed to continue to park. This should have never been allowed to happen in the first place.
Honestly all I can say is the city, county, state and everyone else that commented on this is a joke as well. Obviously politics plays the hand on the government side and if there is no money to be made nobody cares as for all of you that have something to say about it quit pointing your fingers and get proactive in it. If you really give two shitz about those people out there or finding some services for them then make your vote count. Otherwise your worse then the government because you knew and choose to take no action. The world will not be destroyed by bad people it will be destroyed because of all the other people that seen what was happening and choose to do nothing.
As before, the encampment will reappear again, as it has in the past. Without any barriers being erected to prevent people from parking there, that section of Wilbur is a magnet for encampments. The one removed should have never been allowed to grow to the size it was before finally being abated. Antioch, as with many cities, are ill-equipped to offer any alternatives, with the proper sanitary facilities for transient RVs to hook up and park.
I wondered any of those were those FEMA traders that the mayor was pursued designate to 6 families and I don’t think it ever happened, but I don’t could have been possibly a couple of them down there.The circus is in town and remember when this was happening on East 6th street when they had to clean all that out.All of them would do is go to another place. Like I said again the mayor is a clown. Shelley for mayor.
Oops trailers.
I spent a lot of time on Wilbur visiting with many of the homeless there and did what I could to help. From talking to the few people I could find that were displaced from Wilbur there were actually no services offered as city of Antioch States. CORE Outreach team for the homeless with Contra Costa County weren’t even notified of this move they had no idea people were being displaced. Some of the people who left left their animals behind because they had to leave on foot and a few others that were able to move took their pets for them. There’s always a city cover up of Lies when it comes to the city of Antioch definitely need new government in there
$2.3 million for on call homeless removal services approved last July of 2023 wow talk about quick response.were they the ones who put up the No Parking signs .I guess that’s what $2.3 million gets you now .how about this try building a park in the empty parking lot down town overlooking the water and have events,concerts during the summer,farmers market,Xmas tree lighting, but instead we have Walde plaza that’s in between buildings and a L shaped park in between buildings.This city has been past up by surrounding cities there is no vision at all. spending the taxpayers money seems like a joke with. No accountability great example “we cleaned up wilbur but we have no idea what the cost will be” I bet you alot ever been to the dumps lately, around 50 to 60 bucks for small bed pickup now times it 22 cars tires trash hazardous material and piles of junk burnt rv and then include manpower equipment all payed by us the taxpayer ina form of a blank check and now we only have$2.0 million left.next time when you put up the no Parking signs inforce it it’s cheaper that way by the way Oakley does not let any homeless camps set up at all have you ever seen a homeless camp in Oakley?
Neither Oakley, Brentwood or Pittsburg have the vagrant crisis Antioch does. And for good reason. They have leaders that care abouts their communities and the concerns of their constituents. Complaints lodged by Antioch residents and taxpayers more often than not fall on deaf ears. Make no mistake, our Council wants this, especially the useless mayor. Wilbur Avenue could have been cleared out months ago. I’m not sure who paid to install the no parking signs but what a WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY that was. If they had no intention of enforcing them they shouldn’t have put them up. The Police Department, Code Enforcement, Public Works and every other department involved with clearing out vagrants have been instructed HANDS OFF. So, what’s the answer? Antioch needs to vet and elect representatives that care about Antioch, are business savvy and listen to their constituents.
It’s a goddamn shame
The Real Issue here. Antioch’s homeless or should say homeless refugees coming into Antioch. They come from as far as Louisiana and as close as the City. Where were they 3yrs ago, 3 months ago? It doesn’t matter they’re here now.
Didn’t the Chief of Richmonds Police at one time apologize to Chief Brooke’s for ” sending “All his Crap” to Antioch? Or was it Oakland? Antioch’s leaders have NEVER answered repeated questions on the 6 Fema Trailers The Governor gave the Mayor. WHY? Did I miss it or has “Oppertunity Village ” EVER disclose all their Numbers and Formulas to back the 82% success rate? OBSCENE AMOUNTS OF MONEY PEOPLE! “Helping the Homeless ” Is big business. Anyone know the sats on the number of nonprofits in Antioch before Grant Money became so obtainable? But who are they really helping? I’m not saying every nonprofit is just in it for the Money. I AM Saying Transparency and Uncensored Information would go a long way toward shutting Me up. Oh that and a public apology from the Mayor for calling me the R word.
I’m new to the area and I am very concerned about this situation. I have 2 questions : where were “The 22 that were towed were done with the utmost consideration, safeguarding against any infringement of personal rights” taken? Do the people have access to their possessions? And where did the people go since their homes were removed? I read that some of the people go who had to walk away from Wilbur St. Where did they? Where did they sleep that night? How do these actions for in with Do unto others as you would have then do unto you, or There but for the grace of God go I? We are our brothers keeper!
You ignore the problems of theft, assault, open drug use, public health dangers, indecent exposure, littering, etc. etc. that go along with such encampments. As other posters point out, this would not occur with proper and ongoing enforcement but Antioch, as this point, barely has a functioning city government at all. It has been in “do nothing” mode for several years.
“Opportunity Lives Here”
Post this photo on your shithole City website.
It’s such an eyesore to drive alone side highway 4 and see the trash that is left. It’s not fair to pay taxes just to see trash. So, basically my money is being thrown in the trash…Antioch needs to do better.
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