Biden’s America on Full Display
Shocking footage has surfaced, revealing a sprawling ‘shantytown’ that has emerged in Oakland, underscoring the ongoing decline of the California city into a state of crime-ridden squalor. The video, posted by Michael Oxford, host of CaliBased, on May 31, showcases extensive makeshift houses constructed along service roads that branch into main roads in Hooverville, Oakland.
The video captures the stark reality of the area: trash littered around numerous structures made from wood, tarp, and other discarded materials. The sheer scale of the ‘shantytown’ is particularly alarming, as a long stretch of road in this Bay Area city is lined with these rudimentary dwellings. Oxford’s commentary in the video highlights the dire situation, describing the area as a ‘shantytown’ and expressing disbelief that city officials permit such conditions. He labeled the footage with a caption stating, “Parts of Oakland are worse than a third world country. They just allow people to live in absolute squalor, wherever they choose. This looks like Hooverville during the Great Depression. Welcome to Oakland’s very own Gavinville.”
Tom Wolf, a former homeless man and recovering heroin and fentanyl addict from San Francisco, also shared the video, adding, “Worse than any shanty in the third world. You know how we got here? Drugs.”
Oakland’s decline into a dystopian landscape is particularly jarring given its prime location in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most naturally beautiful regions in the United States. Despite being home to many wealthy individuals due to the nearby Silicon Valley tech boom, both Oakland and neighboring San Francisco have become synonymous with filth and crime, which many attribute to progressive policies.
Earlier this month, city administrators had to replace traffic lights with stop signs at a busy Oakland intersection after repeated tampering and copper theft from the electrical boxes that controlled the lights. Local residents and business owners attribute the problem to the nearby homeless encampment, which has expanded over the years. Tam Le, the owner of a vehicle repair shop at the intersection, expressed frustration, stating that the city is “giving up on us” by resorting to stop signs.
Copper thefts have become a widespread issue in California, with videos also emerging of thieves targeting Tesla charging stations. The malfunctioning traffic lights, which either blinked red or went out completely, caused confusion and dangerous driving conditions. Le noted that while the city attempted to fix the traffic lights multiple times, they would typically malfunction again within a week due to theft.
In January, authorities discovered groups of homeless people living in furnished caves dug into the banks of the Tuolumne River, 20 feet below street level in Modesto. The eight caves were emptied of belongings, furniture, and 7,600 pounds of rubbish, filling two trucks and a trailer. Some caves featured murals, broken floor tiles, and makeshift fireplaces with chimneys. The Modesto Police Department reported that these camps, carved into the riverbanks, raised significant concerns due to vagrancy and illegal activities.
Oakland’s political leadership, including progressive Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price, are facing recalls due to their perceived soft-on-crime policies, which critics argue have exacerbated the city’s problems. In 2023, one in thirty Oakland residents had their car stolen, and violent crime rates have surged. Thao, who previously supported defunding the police, and Price, who emphasizes ‘equity’ in prosecuting crimes, are criticized for prioritizing the needs of criminals over victims.
In a symbolic blow to Oakland’s reputation, In-N-Out Burger closed a store for the first time in the company’s history. The restaurant, located near the city’s airport, had become a frequent target for burglaries, posing a constant threat to customers and staff.
The rise of shantytowns, rampant crime, and the deteriorating quality of life in Oakland reflect the broader issues facing cities with progressive leadership. The footage and stories from Oakland serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective policies to address homelessness, crime, and urban decay.
