Homeless filth in Berkeley goes viral; heres what to do about it

It’s long been called Berserkely for a reason.Berkeley, birthplace of the 1960s free speech movement, has always had its quirks, its grit, its radicals and free spirits.But it hasn’t always had entire street corridors swathed in rat-infested homeless encampments. That disgrace is of more recent vintage. And it shows that Berkeley –– like Los Angeles and other California cities with laissez-faire homeless policies –– needs to get real.As a mom’s viral video showed this week, the 1150 block of Harrison Street is crammed with tents, junk, garbage, graffiti, blocked sidewalks and total chaos.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story “I just dropped my son off at @UCBerkeley housing and as we were approaching we saw this behind his apartments.Shame on @CityofBerkeley @CityofAlbanyCA @UCBerkeleyNews,” the mom, TV reporter Lyanne Melendez, wrote on X.All this, less than 3 miles from the iconic campus.The city, meanwhile, has been sued from both sides: Homeless people and their advocates oppose razing the mess, while nearby business and property owners of course want it gone.Berkeley officials are pushing to clear the chaos on health and safety grounds, but a judge has said the city must assist some of the tent-dwellers before completing the cleanup.The struggle for progress raises a basic question: Why did Berkeley let it get this bad in the first place?California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!The same can be asked of other cities, including Los Angeles, Oakland and Long Beac...