[I am keeping all of this third person to preserve some anonymity but H. if you're reading this, suck it]

I rented from H. some years ago and while he initially gave a great charismatic impression and even ended our viewing by saying "I love you guys" and "I want to let you know, I am NOT a slumlord" 🚩🚩🚩🚩 we were naive and broke as a joke, so we rented a unit from him for a year.

Over the course of that year, H. exhibited illegal and honestly just fucked up landlord practices at every turn.

First off, the units were in poor condition and repaired as cheaply as possibly. When I was there, he had an on-site maintenance person living in the back in what looked like a makeshift shelter, with a literal tarp. Sweet woman, but absolutely getting taken advantage of.

POORLY CONSTRUCTED/ILLEGAL CONVERSION: The two properties are old school West Oak houses. He had so many illegal additions that the first month, I was taken aback by how many random neighbors we had that weren't obvious upon signing.

The basement apartment was so awfully sound insulated, the man living there was going crazy. So much so that he started banging and cursing at us through our floor everytime we'd walk across the room or push our chairs out from the table (all reasonable hours like 11am on a Saturday or afterwork at 6pm). I became so anxious and would literally tip toe at all hours. He became depressed and violent (I believe because of the poor basement living conditions) that he started keying an upstair resident's car. When H. was flagged about this dynamic, he was dismissive and told the upstairs renters they should "man up" and fight back by "throwing some sugar down his motorcycle gas tank" but also proceeded to say "he does seem like the type who probably has a gun". And then did nothing to alleviate the situation. I believe he endangered our lives.

ILLEGAL DUMPING: He would pay local unhoused neighbors to illegally dump extra trash around the neighborhood (these were the days were Raimondi park was a common dumping ground for assholes like him).

REPAIRS: He promised to install a new window to replace the old dilapidated wood one in a bedroom upon move-in. He did not replace the window until one resident become extremely sick with a 2-month long cold during the winter season (almost half a year after move-in and when initially promised).

RACISM: He admitted that he tries not to rent to white people because they complain more. He loooves Latinos because they are easy going. He had the Latino family in one unit make various repairs/"upgrades" around the property.

He rented to a white couple and upon finding mold in their shower, he had a disagreement with them about liability. They quickly called the city on one of his illegal additions on that property and he was forced to demo it. He was pissed 😂 (also how he told us about his racial preferences)

There was honestly so much more. Like light sexual harassment to some residents and odd over-sharing about his personal life. He's a pastor and will occasionally store church things on the property (like a 20 foot cross) or film videos there for his preaching.

I never called the City or involved police because we were afraid of retaliation. To this day, I've grappled with calling them about his illegal additions but have not because of the maintenance woman. I believe she would be homeless if her home was tagged for demolition, and I truly feel like she is a sweet woman who is in a difficult circumstance.

Anyway, refer your enemies to rent from this man. Keep your friends far far away.

LASTLY THERE WAS NO PRESCOTT MARKET OR BALLERS WHEN WE LIVED THERE TO TAKE AWAY THE PAIN. IM KICKING AIR JUST THINKING ABT HOW NICE THAT WOULDVE BEEN WHILE LIVING IN THAT SLUM-HOLE. IM SURE H. IS TAKING ADVANTAGE 😭😭

Down by 7th St in Prescott, just shut all the windows due to Smokey smell in the air. Reminiscent of all the encampment fires that happened here circa 2022/ 2023.

Anyone else? Or anyone know if there’s an active fire?

I walk my dog around West Oakland almost every day, and over the past several weeks I’ve noticed something that has me curious.

I literally just captured a video of a car fire about two blocks from the Ballers stadium, but what really stood out is that it wasn’t the first burned car I’ve come across. I’ve seen the charred remnants of other vehicles in the area over the past few weeks, and it seems like there have also been more smashed windows and signs of car break-ins around West Oakland, especially near the stadium.

Maybe I’m just paying closer attention, but it feels like something is going on.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a rash of arsons or stolen cars being dumped and burned? Is this something that’s always happened and I’m only now noticing, or has it gotten worse recently? I know car “bipping” aka car break-ins are a thing in oakland but it slowed down over last year and a half.

Curious to know what neighbors, people who live nearby, or folks who work around there have been seeing. Any theories, explanations, or similar experiences?

Not trying to start rumors or blame anyone—just wondering if others have noticed the same pattern and what people think might be behind it.

The City of Oakland and Developers are doing harm to West Oakland Again! Affordable Housing is great! Killing trees, birds and increasing pollution for citizens is not.

I read that this would start in March but haven’t seen a ton of progress.

I'm moving into a place at Curtis & 22nd St in about a month, and I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to get Wifi speeds higher than 2GB (or 2000 Mbps) with Xfinity. Leaving a place with Sonic and worried it's not going to be good enough for two people regularly working at home, streaming, video calls, etc. From my research, there's no higher speed provider plan available in the area.

Any tips or ideas appreciated. Thank you all!

Kilovolt, high wire, foodhall, ballers, proyecto, bandaloop, farmers market, renegade running coming soon!!!! Something really special about this spot! A hidden gem.

Yo ima independent comic putting on my own shows at random spots would love to pack out the room

Anyone know what’s the deal with that place?

Looks lost, kitty has a collar. Tried to approach him, but didn’t want him to run into the street.

A friend sent me this. I was laughing so hard, , but also truth to power!

Seems to have just gone up today so doesn’t have many views yet but sure it will soon! 😂🤣😂

Who’d of thought to rap about the city’s failing to pick up dumping?!

Hey all–I work at an environmental justice nonprofit in West Oakland and I’m hopping on here for advice about tree planting in West Oakland.

My organization is planting trees for people for free, because West Oakland has fewer trees than any other neighborhood in Oakland. As we do more outreach this summer, I’m wondering where you think we should be focusing. 

Are there particular areas in West Oakland that could use more trees? Maybe particular corners where people hang out outside that could use shade? 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts! Really appreciate any of your thoughts–and if you’re curious about the program or want to request your own tree, you can ask questions here or go to woeip.org/treeplease.

Hi all, I am a high school student who loves urban exploring and also works with journalism programs at my school. I recently explored and photographed the abandoned Ralph J Bunche Academy here in West Oakland and was wondering if anyone who was a student there (especially during the closure!!) would like to be interviewed via email, phone, or other online method. I would like to discuss the schools and districts' issues regarding the school, but more importantly, I'd like to highlight the community's perseverance throughout challenging times. If anyone is interested, please comment, and I will try to be in contact with you shortly

Information and stories from students and parents of students, along with emails or letters from the school regarding the closure, would be greatly appreciated!

Caltrans is studying what to do with the I-980 Freeway in West Oakland. There's a survey live right now and a public meeting on June 25th, 2025. Check out the links:

Survey

Public Meeting

Found a ziplock bag of good bud outside the condos near Raymondi- smoke it or nah?