FALLBROOK, Calif. — The vacant Fallbrook McDonald's building on Main Avenue has been boarded up.
For years, the property has been empty and homeless people had taken over the vacant site. Photos of the inside of the building surfaced on social media recently and generated a strong reaction.
Neighbors told News 8 they've noticed clean-up crews on site recently.
"They came in cars, they're volunteers basically," said Neil, who asked not to use his last name. "They painted over the graffiti, they boarded up the windows."
The photos showed piles of clothes everywhere, furniture, and shopping carts. It appeared someone was using electricity in the basement for lights and TVs.
The big concern was not only fire danger but also the public's health.
Homeless advocate Brad Fox went into the building earlier this month with San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies and took the photos. He posted them on social media and said the reaction was overwhelming.
"It just blew up, we had hundreds of comments reactions," said Fox.
"Everything from anger about the homeless getting moved to constructive comments about what we could do with the property."
News 8 left several messages with the property owner, but did not get a response back.
However, he told The Village News that it's been difficult to get another business in the building. Some of it due to the fact deed restrictions prevent him from leasing the property or selling it to another food establishment.
A spokesperson for McDonald's sent News 8 this statement:
"McDonald's and our local owner/operators care deeply about the communities where we live, work and serve. We are open to discussing options on the building's use restrictions with the current owner should they reach out."
Neighbors hope this site will improve.
Meanwhile, Fox said he hopes any homeless people who were living here will reach out for the help they need.
"Ii think the youth are looking at us adults and questioning in their minds, 'Is it okay for people to be thrown away, discarded, not taken care of?' I want to answer that question 'It is not okay.'"