Several businesses in Berkeley, California, including a winery and a brewery, are suing the City of Berkeley for its failure to remove homeless encampments near them, which has hurt their profits.
The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County this week by eight businesses, including Covenant Winery, Emily Winston of Boichik Bagels and Fieldwork Brewing against the City of Berkeley.
The plaintiffs allege the case is about the City of Berkeley being required to follow the same nuisance laws private landowners must follow, while also owing an obligation to its citizens to maintain its streets and other public rights of way free from obstructions.
Over the past few years, the businesses claim, the city has allowed homeless encampments to remain on Harrison Street between Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Streets; along Codornices Creek; and in the Lower Dwight neighborhood.