Oakland mayor considering major shift to encampment approach: Here's what to know

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is considering a major shift in strategy for handling homeless encampments. She wants fewer sweeps and more city workers cleaning up trash and human waste around the homeless camps.

Lee's approach is a departure from the majority of local leaders across the Bay Area, cracking down on the camps, including the Oakland City Council.

"We have certain laws and rules that we need to adhere to," said Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo, noting the city's sweeps are an important part of a collective effort.

MORE: Fires, sex work, trash: Oakland parents demand action over encampments near school

"We encourage Caltrans, the railroad company, BART, and other public entities, including the city you can't block a sidewalk, you can't camp out in front of my house or my business," he said.

The mayor is also considering a plan to pay homeless people to pick up litter, similar to a program in Portland.

"We want to throw away garbage too, we are human beings, we want to throw it away too," said Sean, who lives in an encampment. "All she needs to do is have somebody come along and pick up trash just like they do for everybody with a house."

The mayor's office told ABC7 Eyewitness News on Sunday that encampment sweeps will still be happening in high-priority areas.

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