Oakland is facing a surge in illegal dumping that is leaving neighborhoods buried in debris and residents feeling abandoned. The problem is not just about appearances, but is changing how the people of Oakland live and weakening confidence in city services.

Entrepreneur and former probation officer Ansel Troy has been documenting what happens when enforcement is limited, while Vincent Williams, cofounder and executive director of the Urban Compassion Project, shows how organized cleanups are making a measurable difference. In this episode, we see how community efforts, even if small, can lead to a marked improvement—even while larger systems work to catch up.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.