Viral video of homeless encampment around city of Berkeley sparks safety concerns from parent

A homeless encampment located near University of California (UC), Berkeley student housing in Berkeley, California, went viral on X after a parent posted a video of the scene while moving her child into an apartment.

Lyanne Melendez, a longtime reporter for San Francisco's ABC7 News, shared the video after dropping off her son at University Village—a university-owned housing complex located in neighboring Albany.

"I just dropped my son off at @UCBerkeley housing and as we were approaching we saw this behind his apartments," Melendez wrote on X, calling out the city of Berkeley, the city of Albany, and Berkeley administration.

UCLA SORORITIES HIRE PRIVATE SECURITY AMID TERRIFYING HARASSMENT BY HOMELESS MEN: REPORT While the housing complex sits within Albany city limits, the proximity to campus facilities has drawn reactions from students who navigate surrounding encampments daily.

"The [encampment] not on University property... and we have no jurisdiction or ability to address this issue.

Please contact the City of Berkeley," a UC Berkeley spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"Turns out it's not really right next to the main UC Berkeley campus , so that's an important thing to note, but there are still issues," John Paul Leon, a UC Berkeley student, told Fox News Digital.

Leon, a senior double-majoring in economics and philosophy with a minor in public policy, told Fox News Digital that seeing homeless individuals is a daily reality for students, even if it startles visiting families.

"One of the normal things I go through every day is walking past three homeless people on my way to class," Leon said.

"It's just a usual occurrence.

It's something I've gotten used to, but I'm sure it's something that a lot of parents would not feel right about their children being subject to." FURIOUS RESIDENTS CONFRONT HOMELESS HOUSING LEADERS AS POPULAR BEACH COMMUNITY HITS BREAKING POINT Leon added that he believes university administrators are motivated to address the issue in ways that clear encampments from campus property and surrounding streets while directing individuals toward resources.

Nearby business owners have also voiced frustration over conditions along the corridor.

Emily Winston, founder and CEO of Berkeley-based Boichik Bagels, told Fox News Digital that the conditions around the corner from her headquarters resemble a "slum out of a third-world country." "There's been feces found all over on various properties.

It's been found on our property.