By Tanya Dennis

Sheriff Covers Lens of Resident’s Security Camera as Alameda County Deputies Enter House with Guns Drawn

What began as a long-running legal battle over the home she has lived in for 13 years escalated Tuesday into a dramatic confrontation between Zakiya Jendayi and Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies—one that has raised urgent questions about probate court decisions, due process, and whether a pending bankruptcy filing should have halted the removal.

Jendayi refused to leave her home Tuesday as approximately 15 to 19 deputies arrived to enforce a court order removing her from the property. The order followed a decision by Judge Sandra Bean of the Alameda County Probate Court, a ruling Jendayi has repeatedly described as unjust and based on what she alleges are serious errors in the court record.

Deputies noticed a Ring camera recording their actions and taped over the lens.

Fifteen to 19 Sheriff’s deputies placed tape over her security cameras, before breaking the locks and entering her home despite the bankruptcy filing taped to the door. Courtesy photo.

Adding to the controversy, Jendayi and her supporters state that opposing counsel, attorney Phillip Campbell, had the property placed in his name in October 2025 without notice to Jendayi. Campbell’s attorney, Alana Grice Conner, filed an opposition in connection with Jendayi’s bankruptcy case. Hours later, sheriff’s deputies arrived at Jendayi’s door.

The confrontation was not simply about one woman refusing to leave her home. For Jendayi and her supporters, it represented the culmination of years of litigation and a larger fight over whether courts have the power to overturn the expressed wishes contained in a person’s will or trust.

Last November, The Post published portions of court transcripts that Jendayi says demonstrate a pattern of false and erroneous rulings. Jendayi states that Bean made 45 rulings in the case, 35 of which she characterizes as false, while she contends that others were legally erroneous.

Bean’s judgment in Jendayi’s case, Hamlin v.

Approximately 25 to 30 of Jendayi’s neighbors came out in massive support on Tuesday observing, streaming and challenging the deputies’ actions on Tuesday. Regarding their show of support, on Wednesday, NBC Bay Area interviewed (left to right) Irene Sip, Elaine Chuck, Irene Yamasato, Joan Rosenberg, Joan Rosenberg, Jade Le, Arianna Angel, and David De Hart. Courtesy photo.

Jendayi, was later upheld on appeal, a development that Jendayi and her supporters say only deepened their concerns about whether the underlying record received meaningful review.

Tuesday’s events brought those concerns from the courtroom to her doorstep.

After covering the lens of Jendayi’s security camera, deputies broke the lock on the front door and entered the residence after she did not respond. Fearing for her safety, Jendayi had retreated to her bedroom. She later emerged nude with her hands raised as an officer entered the home with his gun drawn while other deputies remained outside and on the porch.

Officers reportedly stated that their legal department had determined that the bankruptcy filing did not protect Jendayi from eviction. Deputy Sheriff S. White #2198 of the Court Services/Civil Unit showed a Post reporter what appeared to be incomplete bankruptcy documents that suggested the case had been dismissed. However, when the reporter independently accessed the bankruptcy docket, two additional entries reflected future hearing dates.

The significance and legal effect of those docket entries remain matters for the bankruptcy court and other appropriate legal authorities to determine.

Facing an officer with a gun drawn, Jendayi retreated back into her bedroom, locked the door, and refused to come out, stating that she was suicidal.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., an officer read a warning to Jendayi’s neighbors concerning law enforcement’s duty and response when a person is believed to be threatening to take their own life. The officers then left the premises.

Adding another layer of legal controversy to the confrontation, Jendayi and her supporters contend that the bankruptcy filing made before the attempted removal should have triggered protections against further collection or eviction activity.

Zakia Jendayi was interviewed by NBC Bay Area reporter Velena Jones regarding what led to Tuesday’s stand-off with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department. Courtesy photo.

Questions surrounding the legal effect of the filing—and whether the Sheriff’s Office was legally permitted to proceed—are now expected to become central issues in the continuing dispute.

Jendayi remained inside for some time after the officers left.

Outside, neighbors gathered in growing numbers. Angry, alarmed, and deeply engaged, they voiced support for Jendayi and began reaching out to Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley, asking him to intervene while questions about the bankruptcy filing and law enforcement actions are investigated.

Although she remains in possession of her home for now, for Jendayi the events of Tuesday are only the latest chapter in a battle she says has exposed something much larger than the loss of her home.

“The probate court is corrupt. It ignored Dr. Head’s wishes that were written into her will and trust, which made me the sole beneficiary of her home,” Jendayi said, referring to the trust established by Dr. Laura Dean Head upon her death in 2013, that made Jendayi executor of the estate. The trust was challenged by Head’s estranged sisters.

Jendayi says she is not alone in her battle with the probate court. “Over 100 other Black families in Alameda County have lost their homes in probate court over the past decade. This is an injustice. Our homes are worth fighting for.”

For background on the case:

The Post News Group, “The Truth Is in the Transcripts,” Week of November 12–18, 2025.

Post News Group archive: https://postnewsgroup.com/week-of-november-12-18-2025/

Additional information: www.protectyourtrust.org

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