OAKLAND — Despite recent efforts by officials, the city’s ongoing dumping problem has continued to plague many neighborhoods.
But one resident’s tweet of his home security system’s video of a pickup truck dumping debris along his street Thursday led to quick action from city public works crews.
Pls watch video and share. Help us catch who did this. Happened at 1 pm today. Street still like this. @LibbySchaaf @Oakland @oaklandpoliceca pic.twitter.com/5iyZmiOibz
— Thomas Larson (@Mainegingerbear) June 8, 2018
Around 1 p.m., the camera captured footage of the white truck pulling up near a curb in the 2300 block of East 17th Street.
Then viewers can see the truck’s back automatically lifting before it pulls away at a high rate of speed, leaving chunks of debris in the roadway and clouds of dust hanging in the air.
@EastBayTimes please watch and share. People can’t be allowed to do this to #oakland. https://t.co/TWGvgj3inh
— Thomas Larson (@Mainegingerbear) June 8, 2018
Disgusting. What is the location of this crime?
— Libby Schaaf (@LibbySchaaf) June 8, 2018
Thomas Larson posted the video to Twitter and tagged multiple news organizations, the city’s Twitter account and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who replied ‘Disgusting! What is the location of this crime?”
Workers just showed up two minutes ago. Jaypee got to use all resources sometimes.
— Thomas Larson (@Mainegingerbear) June 8, 2018
A public works crew appeared on the block by 7:30 p.m., according to a follow-up tweet by Larson.
This is why we can't have nice things. If you have any info on this, please report to 311. Reward available. THANK YOU for sharing @mainenginebear https://t.co/cjTc6CxLgz
— Abel Guillen (@Abel_Guillen) June 8, 2018
Oakland City Councilman Abel Guillen thanked Larson for tweeting about the dumping, saying, “This is why we can’t have nice things. If you have any info on this, please report to 311. Reward available.”
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.