Description

There is a white older male gentleman spraying Roundup in Bella Vista Park. He is not a city employee and states he is part of Friends of Bella Vista and that he is taking care of the weeds there. Unfortunately, procedures are not being followed and he needs to put up flags where he has sprayed. As you may be aware, Roundup is a highly carcinogenic weed and grass killer and is extremely harmful to anyone who comes in contact with it. There are families with pregnant women, babies and children as well as pets that use Bella Vista frequently and this is a very very big health concern. He gets extremely defensive when told he cannot spray there.

I am also part of the gardeners using the Bella Vista community garden and he has been spraying Roundup in the perimeters of the garden fence as well, where the downwind is blowing its toxicity into our organic garden.

Furthermore, he has also been using a chainsaw to cut down certain trees he deems a weed. If anyone gets hurt, the city of Oakland can be sued. I understand that power tools are not to be used by citizens in public property.

Third the stuff he cuts down has not been removed and is causing a pile of foliage on the ground that attracts rats and other vermin.

Please look into this matter. We cannot continue to pollute our environment with poisons. It seems this gentlemen has keys to the park as well.