A man living on the streets in Berkeley was found dead Thursday morning on the sidewalk in front of the city's Veterans Memorial Building, police and advocates for the homeless said Friday.
Kareah Mendoza, 39, was found unresponsive around 3:15 a.m. by a friend, who saw him at the base of the steps to the building at 1931 Center St., according to Consider the Homeless, a group that provides smiles, a cup of soup and supplies to people on the street.
Berkeley police Lt. Dave Lindenau said police were told at about 7:45 a.m. that a person had been found dead in front of the Veterans Memorial Building.
The Alameda County coroner today confirmed Mendoza's death.
"It's a sad story," Barbara Brust, founder and director of Consider the Homeless, said.
Brust said the city is failing the homeless.
Mendoza, who was known as KK, "was a really sweet young man," Brust said.
