SAN DIEGO — Cyclists have been reaching out to us about encampments, trash, and debris along the Ocean Beach Bike Path. CBS 8 is Working For You to find out how the situation is being addressed.
“It’s frustrating that it’s getting worse, and this is a recreational area. It’s also a transit area, and it’s dangerous,” said 25-year Ocean Beach resident, Wesley Hill.
Hill told CBS 8 he has been rattling cages at San Diego's City Hall about the degradation of the bike path, specifically in areas under the I-5 freeway and westward toward Robb Field.
“It’s just really heavily dense with homeless encampments, and this time they’ve actually moved onto the path itself," said Hill.
CBS 8's Brian White rode with Hill on the OB bike path last year along the San Diego River as he pointed out all the trash and encampments in the area.
“I hope that the city realizes that it’s a safety issue," said Hill to CBS 8 back in May of 2023. "Not only for the people that live in the encampments, but for the people that utilize the bike paths.”
And today, Hill remains frustrated as are other cyclists.
“It’s pretty serious, I mean trash is everywhere,” said cyclist Dave Mason to CBS 8 Wednesday.
Hill sent an email Tuesday to Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, Mayor Todd Gloria, SDPD's Western Division, and to CBS 8 with complaints about the issue, calling the OB bike path a "third-world hellscape."
City crews along with the Neighborhood Policing Division conducted a cleanup of the area underneath the I-5 freeway Wednesday morning 24 hours after Hill's scathing email.
“It’s a shame because I remember when they opened that stretch up years ago to connect Mission Valley to the OB bike path, but now it’s basically become a homeless highway,” said Hill.
The area in and around the bike path by the I-5 freeway consists of a mix of city and state jurisdictions. CBS 8 reached out to Caltrans for clarification. According to the state agency, they have an easement with San Diego that gives the city jurisdiction over the property under the I-5 freeway.
“I understand things can’t get better instantly, but it’s a disgrace, it really is," said Hill. "The river should be something that we treasure, and instead it’s getting worse.”
CBS 8 reached out to the City of San Diego. Spokesperson Matt Hoffman said, "The San Diego Police Department has two riverbed teams working in this area with the assistance of the Neighborhood Policing Department to address concerns and respond to Get It Done reports. Abatements on City property have happened in this area and will continue as needed."
Regarding larger, long-term plans to tackle the issue along the riverbed, Hoffman told CBS 8, "A comprehensive plan to address encampments and house individuals experiencing homelessness near along the San Diego River has been underway since July 2024, with a multi-jurisdictional cleanup planned for this area soon."
As far as the City's strategy, Hoffman said, "This is not just about clearing encampments and moving people to another neighborhood, the City is making sure individuals have the opportunity to access to resources and housing and/or shelter options before removing unsafe and unsanitary encampments."
For more details on the City's homeless outreach efforts, funded by state grants, along the San Diego River, visit here.
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.