Oakland Wherehouse Fire

[cawacko]

So the debate in Oakland is whether the city should have done more about the buikdingbuilding violations it knew of vs the artist community that is afraid many of its members will be forced onto the street if the city cracks down. Rent is rising in Oakland so hippies/artists live together in warehouses like this one.

Who is right here?


http://m.sfgate.com/news/article/Shouting-match-at-Oakland-restaurant-highlights-10781200.php

 

[Midas Whale67]

So the debate in Oakland is whether the city should have done more about the buikdingbuilding violations it knew of vs the artist community that is afraid many of its members will be forced onto the street if the city cracks down. Rent is rising in Oakland so hippies/artists live together in warehouses like this one.

Who is right here?


http://m.sfgate.com/news/article/Shouting-match-at-Oakland-restaurant-highlights-10781200.php

It all changed when the joint burnt down killing 36. Photos before the fire show an eclectic shabby shriek vibe that was pleasant to see in the living area. I understand the stairs were made from pallets and that a refrigerator short may be the source. It was a tinderbox for sure. Residents had to have a clue things were shady.

There are apparently a couple of notices filed addressing building concerns. The landlord is first on the indictment list, but the City's lack of follow up and enforcement shares blame as well.

 

[cawacko]

No liberals have thoughts on this? Granted it's really on a problem in big cities but nonetheless...

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Well I'm not speaking as political ideologue but as a professional in a safety related field. There is no room for political banter on this issue. That's beyond stupid. I could care less about anyone's sensibilities.

These codes exist for a reason. The lack of enforcement is unconscionable and there are 36 dead people to drive that fact home.

I understand the issue of expensive housing in the area but that is utterly irrelevant as if those people had been evicted from that building as unsafe for human habitation per the building code they would still be alive to complain.

Those responsible for permitting people to live there and those responsible for not enforcing building codes should be held to the highest level of accountability.

There is simply no room for politics here.

 

[cawacko]

I don't know if it's an ideological thing per se. The big argument here is that SF and Oakland are losing the "soul" of their city's because the creative types are being priced out. And since the city's refuse to build enough housing to meet the demand they turn a blind eye to situations like this.