The State - News from Aug. 31, 1989

A group of 18 apartment building residents in Berkeley won a small-claims judgment against their landlord for not acting to end problems caused by drug and prostitution activity in the area. Berkeley-Albany Municipal Judge Jennie Rhine awarded them $1,000 each, plus court costs, in their suit against Percy and Ruby Davis. Rhine said in her decision that the neighbors “involuntarily witnessed illicit drug use and sexual activity. They were propositioned and threatened while on the street to such an extent that they became fearful of using it freely.” Rhine found that over the last two years, neighbors experienced noise from pedestrian and auto traffic at all hours of the day and night.