Meet the sword-wielding man hired to kick squatters out of empty Oakland homes

James Jacobs operates ASAP Squatter Removal, a service designed to help property owners evict squatters in the Bay Area. He describes the average squatter as lacking combat experience, emphasizing the unconventional tactics his team employs, such as boarding up homes and temporarily residing in them to prevent return. This business has emerged amid California's housing crisis, where Oakland has seen record homelessness levels, with approximately 5,500 individuals lacking housing. The growth of such companies reflects a broader trend in the region, which struggles with a combination of underbuilding, discriminatory housing policies, and rising drug use. Jacobs markets his company as unique, being the only squatter removal service with a Yelp account, although he has not provided verification for many of his claims.

The lack of public records about his business raises questions about its legitimacy, with Jacobs stating that registration is forthcoming. The East Bay's housing market continues to face pressure, with thousands of vacant units juxtaposed against a growing unhoused population. Jacobs' work illustrates the increasing tension in Oakland's housing landscape, where the demand for housing and the number of vacant properties create a complex situation.