16Public Comment
From: Mary Cheng <
Sent: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 5:44 PM
To: Public Comment
Cc: Kimberly Keys; Lucille Kring; Natalie Meeks; Rosa Mulleady; Luis Andres Perez; Dave
Vadodaria; Steve White; Stephen Faessel
Subject: Sunkist & Ball Development - Homeless Encampment
Dear Representatives of Anaheim,
I live adjacent to the strip mall located on 2501-2525 East Ball Rd. In the past month, I have noticed an
increase in transient activity in this area, specifically in the alley located between my home and the commercial
property that you will be voting on next week on June 8th..
The Friday before Memorial Day weekend (May 28th) , the transients lit a fire behind my neighbor's backyard
wall.
I called the police and they sent the Fire Department. The transient put out the fire when the bre truck
arrived. The fire fighter asked a few questions and then left. The transients were not booked, detained,
arrested, nothing. They slept behind me and my neighbor's backyard that night.
The next night (May 29th), the transient lit another fire, again behind my neighbor's backyard wall. We called
the police and they came along with the Fire Department. This time they arrested the transient (Incident# 21-
75701). However, they left all the trash in the alley and said that it wasn't their responsibility to clear it out.
(This is the damage on my neighbor's backwall caused by the fire)
(This is the homeless encampment that the city refuses to clear out even after multiple calls to the Police
Department and Public Works)
z
Here is a link to videos of the two fires that took place:
https:Hdrive.google.com/drive/folders/lGIlzpDitypaZGhLYPwyu0181r2GM ioz?usp=sharin
9
I am neither for nor opposed to the development on Sunkist and Ball. I am, however, very concerned that the
transient activity will continue to grow with a vacant, stagnant lot. Several of the property's tenants have
vacated and the few who are left are due to vacate later this month. It will undoubtedly turn into a ghost town,
prime real estate for homeless encampments.
Shira Zahgi has been helpful and responsive with addressing some of these issues. However, I wish she lived
closer so that I didn't have to spend my time monitoring what is happening on her property.
As you can imagine, this has caused my family and I a lot of undue stress, knowing that there is illegal, criminal
activity literally taking place in my backyard, less than one feet away from my back wall. The dumpsters on the
side of the Jagerhaus restaurant and HisNibs liquor store reek of urine and human waste. Today the garbage
truck came and did not bother to pick up any of the surrounding trash left by the homeless. Apparently, the
Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, and Garbage Disposal, all want nothing to do with this.
I think as part of next week's hearing, one additional stipulation to consider is to have on-site security and/or
police enforcement 24/7 around the perimeter of this property. It ought to start right away, not 14
months after construction. Not sure if there is any other solution. If you can think of something better, please
let me know.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Mary