Parents, neighbors and faculty members of Ascend Charter School in Oakland are voicing their concerns and urging the city to remove a homeless encampment that is blocking the school’s emergency exit, posing a serious safety risk.
The encampment, located on a dead-end street near the intersection of San Leandro Street and 38th Avenue, is situated directly in front of Ascend’s emergency gate.
Ascend serves roughly 500 students, from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. Perla Benitez, a parent with three children enrolled at Ascend, expressed deep concern for her children’s safety.
“We want that area secured and [be able to open the gate] in case there is an emergency,” Benitez said.
The encampment, which includes a trailer and a handful of cars, has for months been a source of distress for both parents and neighbors.