Pond of trash forms behind Oakland apartment complex

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A second wave of rain is moving into the Bay Area. The region is already saturated and feeling the aftermath of our recent storms. There are lots of downed trees and other problems because of all the rain, including a nasty mix of trash and water in Oakland.

Like any city, Oakland has its pretty spots and its not so pretty locations. Well in one East Oakland neighborhood, residents saw something ugly and they're doing something about it.

"I call it a trash pond because, as you can see, you've got trash floating behind us," said Oakland resident Dwayne Aikens.

Aikens has only lived in the apartment complex for nine months but he's already seen enough, at least when it comes to the view over the back wall.

"I just don't think this is a place for families of course and kids," he said. "And communities to just have to live in stuff like this. This is not ok."

The garbage is not in a public space. It's on a private lot that filled up with water during last week's storms.

The owner of the lot told ABC7 News off camera that every time he cleans it up, it fills up again with garbage. It appears from the apartment complex where Aikens lives.

"There's a lot of garbage being produced there," said neighbor David Dawkins. "And when it overflows the cans, they just throw it over the fence."

Dawkins hasn't looked behind his house in a while, but he doesn't like what he sees either.

When asked if public works or the city is to blame for the problem, Dawkins said, "It's not their job. It's our job. It's our community. We need to step it up."

It's not his property, but Dawkins decided to do just that. He's started by cleaning up what his neighbors dumped.