John Ross
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Invaders from Vermont Street bridge knock on our door
I would like to add an update to Mr. Anderson's article. The weekend June 11th there was a fire in an enclosed area underneath the Vermont St. bridge mentioned in the story. The north end of the bridge has a space enclosed by chain link fencing, designed to protect the bridge. Homeless people had broken through the chain link fence, and built a 'room' by nailing large sheets of particleboard together to form a private "room". This is the area where the fire began. The fire burned the interior of this area as well as a part of the hillside next to it. Nearby eucalyptus trees were scorched, as well as the fence and plants of a the house Mr. Anderson had been renting. This was not unexpected. On May 17th I filed a Get-It-Done SD ticket ( #03772146) on this space. Five days later, I received a call from and SDPD officer who was at the site, but would not squeeze between the rail and a few plants to access the "room," although that is how the homeless entered and how our team of volunteers got in to collect trash each week. When no visible action was taken to address the problem, I began emailing Mr. Benjamin Cartwright, Councilman Stephen Whitburn's representative for University Heights, and Mr. Whitburn as well. I expressed my concern that a fire under the bridge was likely, that it could damage the structure of the bridge itself, and that it could ignite a larger fire in the area. Mr. Cartwright reported trying to get a response from the City to no effect. On the 20th of June, one week after the fire, I emailed Mayor Gloria's office about this problem asking that the remaining wood be removed to prevent future fires, the chain link fence be taken out to prevent the construction of new "rooms," and that the bridge be assessed to see if the fire had caused structural damage. I received no reply. I am a member of the University Heights Community Association, and part of a small team of volunteers that collects trash in that vicinity every week. It has been beyond discouraging to identify a fire danger, report it to the City via Get It Done San Diego, talk to the police, report it to my representative on the City Council. Then, after the predicted fire had taken place, been unable to get any response from the mayor. Something is badly broken a system that leaves the gem of our neighborhood to be destroyed.— July 22, 2022 2:58 p.m.