Homeless encampments near railroad tracks in San Jose remain a safety concern
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Officials in San Jose continue to tackle issues of homelessness, including encampments that pop up near railroad tracks, creating a serious safety hazard.
Advocates say this issue is no different from people living near the waterways. People know its unsafe, but they sometimes have nowhere else to go.
"When they’re going down the tracks, it makes a really high-pitched whine, and it vibrates the tracks for miles," said James Padlina, of San Jose.
As someone who’s been homeless, James Padlina says he understands why some people are camping out near the railroad tracks on Little Orchard Street in San Jose.
"The tracks are a lot more open. When it’s raining you don’t have to worry about getting flooded. Because of all the rocks, you don’t get as muddy," said Padlina.
"Nobody tells you what to do, when to eat, when to go to bed. It’s a place of freedom," said Mike Roman, of San Jose.
According to Union Pacific Railroad, homeless encampments along its railroad tracks in San Jose remain a safety concern. Union Pacific released a statement, saying in part:
"Despite efforts to keep our tracks clear and safe, illegal dumping and camping is happening on Union Pacific property, creating public safety risks." - Union Pacific Railroad
Homeless encampments near some railroad tracks, including on Jackson and 7th Streets in Japantown and part of the tracks on Little Orchard Street near The Plant Shopping Plaza appear to have been cleared. Still, advocates say even if an encampment is removed, people will eventually return.
"They move somewhere else, but they will be back the day after or the next day. I know that because I’ve been doing this since COVID-19, about four years now," said Hung Le, who volunteers to bring meals to the homeless.
"So, the problem isn’t that unhoused people are at the railroad tracks. It’s that unhoused people have nowhere to go, and as a result of that, they are at the railroad tracks," said Shaunn Cartwright, Founder of Unhoused Response Group. "So, they went to the creeks. Then you swept people out of the creeks and now they’re on the railroad tracks. So, that’s what happens when you sweep people to nowhere. They have to keep finding another place to go."
Union Pacific says people should report safety concerns of any kind to the railroad company.
KTVU reached out to the City of San Jose for comment, but didn’t hear back from them in time for this report.
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