Suprema Meats, Inc., operations are causing noise pollution and blocking the right of way in Oakland neighborhood
Contact
For Oakland City Attorney’s Office: mediainquiries@oaklandcityattorney.org
For Councilmember Zac Unger: mmalsin@oaklandca.gov, (818) 635-5535
Oakland, Calif. – Today the Oakland City Attorney’s Office filed a public nuisance lawsuit against Suprema Meats, Inc. and property owners 955 57th St. LLC and Miguel E. Jara Jr. The lawsuit alleges that Suprema Meats has operated its business in a way that harms the entire neighborhood, and seeks a court injunction to stop Suprema’s constant loud noise, dangerous blocking of the right of way, and other unlawful activities.
For years, Suprema has disregarded neighborhood complaints, and endlessly appealed citations by Oakland Code Enforcement for violations of local laws.
“Suprema Meats has been using the legal process to delay complying with local laws while they continue to cause harm to the community surrounding them. That stops today,” said Oakland City Attorney Ryan Richardson. “It is unfair to neighbors and law-abiding businesses when companies like Suprema flout City ordinances to maximize profits. Residents have a reasonable expectation to regular quiet hours and streets that are clear of obstructions.”
The company begins operations as early as 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. and allows refrigerated semi-trucks to idle their engines throughout the night. This activity causes a vibration that shakes neighbors’ homes and causes neighbors to lose sleep on a nearly daily basis. During the day, Suprema Meats’ activities include operating forklifts, loading and unloading pallets, opening and closing a heavy gate, and employees yelling to each other. These activities cause noise including beeping when vehicles are backing up, loud unexpected banging and crashes, and the clanging of the gate, in addition to the constant rumble and vibration of engines. On the weekends, workers often power-wash their trucks, causing loud noise from the power washer and water hitting metal. These conditions make the neighborhood so loud that residents cannot open their windows or spend time in their yards. Residents, including families with children, are losing sleep and suffering from constant anxiety because of Suprema’s conduct.
“Suprema Meats has been operating without regard for its neighbors for years and has not shown any willingness to work with the City to legalize their business operations, despite many efforts to resolve these concerns without going to court,” said District 1 Councilmember Zac Unger. “My constituents should not have to live alongside this public nuisance, and I’m grateful to City Attorney Ryan Richardson for taking this next step in enforcement to protect the neighborhood.”
Company owners also allow delivery trucks to park and idle on city streets surrounding the facility and use the roadways and sidewalks as their industrial loading zone in a primarily residential area. This activity blocks the public streets and sidewalks and causes traffic hazards. The public is unable to safely walk on the sidewalks or bike and drive on the roads surrounding Suprema’s facility. People are forced to walk and recreate in the roadway, putting themselves in danger.
Suprema’s business has grown significantly in recent years. The City of Oakland has repeatedly raised concerns about code violations to the business and property owners, but efforts to bring operations in line with City ordinances have been rebuffed. Instead of moving its operations to a location that could accommodate its growth, Suprema has expanded operations in facilities that can no longer contain them.
The lawsuit filed by the City Attorney’s Community Lawyering and Civil Rights Unit asks the court to declare the company’s operations to be a public nuisance, and to issue an injunction to stop the nuisance activity. The complaint is available for review here.
