2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
I walk the Santiago Creek trail between Hart Park and Santiago Park frequently, as I have for many years.
While it's not new news that there's an issue in/around the 22 Freeway overpass it is alarming that the criminal activity in the area is allowed to flourish. There are "bike shops" on both sides of the creek bed under the overpass, likely working on mostly stolen bicycles, directly under the "no loitering" signs, and this has been going on for several years. About 5 years ago the dirt embankment underneath the overpass was "improved" with concrete and decorative river rock. Unfortunately, near the top of the steep concrete embankment a shelf was created, which provides a convenient place for the proprietors of the bike shops to store bike parts as well as to store personal property, and often camp/sleep as well. It's not easy for law enforcement to access that area as it's a steep and possibly dangerous climb both up and down. Prior to this convenient shelf being created, there was no issues on the North side of the creek bed. My suggestion would be to fill this area with concrete as well, to eliminate the storage area created by the prior improvements (fencing it off likely won't help, as the fencing would simply be cut to allow access). This activity also brings with it a large amount of trash strewn under the freeway overpass and into the creek bed. The trail is often covered with stains of liquids of a dubious nature as well. All this in an area that used to be very pleasant to jog, walk, bike, etc.
Adjacent to the 22-Freeway overpass on the East and North sides is another problem area. The back wall of the Park Orleans condominium community is frequently covered in graffiti, visible from the walking trail. The City has done a great job in the past couple of years in painting over the graffiti promptly once reported. I'm also aware that the Park Orleans HOA has had to pay to have the walls painted on several occasions as well, which seems unfair as it is a problem not of their making. It's also not uncommon to see large piles of trash piled along the back of the fence, and the trash created by abandoned homeless encampments. Trash removal has taken place, albeit at a lower priority than the graffiti. It's discouraging to see this encroachment by the homeless and illicit bike shop operators impact this vibrant community. The HOA has had to completely enclose all of the trash facilities and install security cameras (at a significant cost to the owners) which has helped, but not eliminated the issues. Residents still have to be vigilant as thefts from vehicles and encounters with homeless individuals late at night (a tenant called recently to report that a man was sleeping outside of her front door on the 2nd floor) and in the early morning continue.
We realize that the area concerned is a "no man's land" but that shouldn't preclude there from being a lead agency that can communicate with the other stakeholders in the area, whether it be Cal Trans, the City of Santa Ana, and/or the City of Orange. The alternative is that a "Mad Max" environment exists, where there is no accountability by anyone (including those on electric bikes -- but that's a topic for another day). I've spoken to a number of people that will no longer walk/run/bike through this area due to its current condition, which is unfortunate given that it's such a great local resource. Thank you for your continued efforts in this area.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I walk the Santiago Creek trail between Hart Park and Santiago Park frequently, as I have for many years.
While it's not new news that there's an issue in/around the 22 Freeway overpass it is alarming that the criminal activity in the area is allowed to flourish. There are "bike shops" on both sides of the creek bed under the overpass, likely working on mostly stolen bicycles, directly under the "no loitering" signs, and this has been going on for several years. About 5 years ago the dirt embankment underneath the overpass was "improved" with concrete and decorative river rock. Unfortunately, near the top of the steep concrete embankment a shelf was created, which provides a convenient place for the proprietors of the bike shops to store bike parts as well as to store personal property, and often camp/sleep as well. It's not easy for law enforcement to access that area as it's a steep and possibly dangerous climb both up and down. Prior to this convenient shelf being created, there was no issues on the North side of the creek bed. My suggestion would be to fill this area with concrete as well, to eliminate the storage area created by the prior improvements (fencing it off likely won't help, as the fencing would simply be cut to allow access). This activity also brings with it a large amount of trash strewn under the freeway overpass and into the creek bed. The trail is often covered with stains of liquids of a dubious nature as well. All this in an area that used to be very pleasant to jog, walk, bike, etc.
Adjacent to the 22-Freeway overpass on the East and North sides is another problem area. The back wall of the Park Orleans condominium community is frequently covered in graffiti, visible from the walking trail. The City has done a great job in the past couple of years in painting over the graffiti promptly once reported. I'm also aware that the Park Orleans HOA has had to pay to have the walls painted on several occasions as well, which seems unfair as it is a problem not of their making. It's also not uncommon to see large piles of trash piled along the back of the fence, and the trash created by abandoned homeless encampments. Trash removal has taken place, albeit at a lower priority than the graffiti. It's discouraging to see this encroachment by the homeless and illicit bike shop operators impact this vibrant community. The HOA has had to completely enclose all of the trash facilities and install security cameras (at a significant cost to the owners) which has helped, but not eliminated the issues. Residents still have to be vigilant as thefts from vehicles and encounters with homeless individuals late at night (a tenant called recently to report that a man was sleeping outside of her front door on the 2nd floor) and in the early morning continue.
We realize that the area concerned is a "no man's land" but that shouldn't preclude there from being a lead agency that can communicate with the other stakeholders in the area, whether it be Cal Trans, the City of Santa Ana, and/or the City of Orange. The alternative is that a "Mad Max" environment exists, where there is no accountability by anyone (including those on electric bikes -- but that's a topic for another day). I've spoken to a number of people that will no longer walk/run/bike through this area due to its current condition, which is unfortunate given that it's such a great local resource. Thank you for your continued efforts in this area.