Santa Monica is seeking a court order to declare two Waymo recharging stations public nuisances due to noise and light disturbances affecting residents, with proposed restrictions on overnight operations, despite Waymo's claims of recent improvements and compliance. The city argues the nuisances disrupt sleep and daily life, while Waymo defends its efforts to mitigate issues and continues operations.
Over 80 vehicles were towed during a sideshow in Stockton, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office stated that the vehicles will not be returned anytime soon. The vehicles will be held until court cases are settled with the district attorney's office, and those deemed a public nuisance face the possibility of being destroyed. Sheriff Patrick Withrow urged people to stop calling about their impounded vehicles, emphasizing that they will remain in possession of the sheriff's office until court cases are resolved.
Phoenix has cleared out a sprawling homeless encampment known as "the Zone" after a court order declared it a "public nuisance." Roughly 80% of the camp's residents have accepted offers of temporary housing, but housing advocates argue that the city still faces a shortage of affordable housing, mental health care, and addiction treatment. While the removal of the encampment is seen as a temporary solution, the city needs tens of thousands of additional low-income housing units to address the growing homelessness problem.
A pro-Palestinian activist caused a disturbance at a McDonald's in Birmingham, UK, by releasing a box of mice painted in the colors of the Palestinian flag into the restaurant while shouting anti-Israel slogans. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, led to outrage and calls for a boycott of McDonald's. The police are investigating the incident as a "public nuisance offense." McDonald's confirmed the incident and stated that the location was sanitized and reopened. Pro-Palestinian protests have also targeted other companies like Disney and Starbucks, leading to calls for boycotts.
A homeless convicted sex offender living near a Catholic grade school in San Francisco was arrested for creating a public nuisance after posting a sign offering "free fentanyl." Despite being offered housing, the man refused and was cited for a misdemeanor. However, due to a medical complaint, the police decided to delay pursuing the probation violation, and he was released from custody. The incident highlights the San Francisco Police Department's return to enforcing lower-level laws against camping on public sidewalks as part of their approach to dealing with the city's unhoused population.
The City of West Allis in Wisconsin has filed a lawsuit against Burger King Company, LLC over an abandoned Burger King restaurant that has been vacant for at least six years. The city claims that the deteriorating building constitutes a public nuisance, with broken windows, overgrown grass, and garbage piling up on the property. The lawsuit seeks to compel Burger King to make repairs, demolish the building, or sell it to a new buyer. The city had previously issued a notice of public nuisance to Burger King in May, but the repairs made by the company were deemed superficial and improper. Neighbors are eager to see the building fixed and potentially used for a new restaurant.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance after a series of "vile" TikTok pranks, including stealing a woman's dog, ripping up library books, and jumping into strangers' cars. The teenager was filmed by friends in the moments before police hauled him away after police officers travelled to his home, which he shares with his mother, yesterday afternoon, following an online furore over his social media videos. The TikTok account in question has been taken down, and his YouTube page, which had nearly 39,000 subscribers, has also been removed.
Walgreens has reached a $230 million settlement with San Francisco over its role in the city's opioid epidemic. The settlement comes after a US District Judge found the drugstore chain liable for contributing to the epidemic. Walgreens disputes liability but settled to focus on patients, customers, and communities. The settlement averts a trial to determine damages, and Walgreens was the only remaining defendant in San Francisco's civil lawsuit.
Phoenix has started dismantling a homeless encampment known as "the Zone" block by block, following a court order to clear the area by mid-July. The city is offering to store people's belongings for free and is working with residents and homeless services groups to move people off the sidewalks and into shelter. However, finding enough beds and housing for everyone is a challenge, and some people worry they will end up sleeping in remote corners of the city. Critics say clearing the Zone will not resolve the root causes of homelessness, such as high rents and lack of mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
Parisians are voting in a mini-referendum on whether to banish the 15,000 electric scooters that have become a common sight in the city. The scooters have been criticised for being a traffic menace and an eyesore, and for causing hundreds of accidents. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and some of her deputies want to banish the “free floating” flotilla on safety, public nuisance and cost-benefit grounds before the capital hosts the Olympic Games next year.
