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Oakland Council Leadership Call for Pay Equity, Investigation of DVP Deputy Chief’s Termination

Councilmember At-Large and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan stated, “It is essential to end all acts of discrimination by this administration – and these allegations of misconduct and pay disparity – and alleged retaliation – warrant a direct response, investigation, and remedy. The decisions that are the subject of this alleged misconduct never came to the City Council. Since the City Council voted to fund a Deputy Chief of Violence Prevention, and never authorized eliminating that position. I urge that we schedule this issue to Council directly. We must take action to undo inappropriate actions and take further steps to ensure that race and gender discrimination are not tolerated.”

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Dr. Sarai Crain, former deputy director of Oakland’s Dept. of Violence Prevention.
Dr. Sarai Crain, former deputy director of Oakland’s Dept. of Violence Prevention.

By Kimberly Jones

In collaboration with Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, President Pro Tem Sheng Thao, and Councilmember Carroll Fife, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan is calling for Pay Equity in the City of Oakland. Vice Mayor Kaplan has submitted two scheduling requests to ensure that the City Administration investigate and rectify the abrupt termination of The Violence Prevention Department’s deputy chief.

The public’s comment and committee member’s concerns raised for the DVP Item #7b, at the Monday, March 28th Public Safety and Services Violence Prevention Oversight Commission (SSOC) indicates a need to investigate the elimination of a high-level position from the Council-budgeted roster of personnel in the Department of Violence Prevention (DVP).

Members of the Oversight Commission expressed deep concern with what appears to be an abrupt termination of Dr. Sarai Crain from her deputy chief of Violence Prevention position from the City of Oakland. In the meeting, the Commission Chair stated that there was no conversation with the SSOC about this major shift and that this matter would have to go before the City Council as the Commission has no jurisdictional authority to impact the decision.

Crain personally participated in the meeting saying that her termination was not based on performance, rather it was related to her push for equitable compensation in the DVP. This assertion was presented to the City Council and Administration in a letter sent Friday, March 25, 2022, by attorneys retained by Crain.

Councilmember At-Large and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan stated, “It is essential to end all acts of discrimination by this administration – and these allegations of misconduct and pay disparity – and alleged retaliation – warrant a direct response, investigation, and remedy. The decisions that are the subject of this alleged misconduct never came to the City Council. Since the City Council voted to fund a Deputy Chief of Violence Prevention, and never authorized eliminating that position. I urge that we schedule this issue to Council directly. We must take action to undo inappropriate actions and take further steps to ensure that race and gender discrimination are not tolerated.”

In a statement addressing the letter and public outcry, Fife said, “It’s important to look into the claims being made in this matter so we avoid perpetuating a practice of diminishing talented, experienced women, particularly women of color, in leadership positions. It is International Women’s History Month and gender equity should be the bare minimum of what we aspire to at the City of Oakland.”

“Every day, not just during Women’s History Month, it’s absolutely urgent to ensure pay equity and a workplace free from gender discrimination,” said Bas. “These claims are deeply troubling and must be investigated and resolved immediately. Dr. Sarai Crain is a well-respected advocate against gender-based violence. Her departure has been deeply felt by those of us working to end human trafficking, which is centered in my district in the San Antonio neighborhood. Having championed last year’s investment in expanding the Department of Violence Prevention, I want to ensure we have strong leadership to implement Oakland’s vision for community healing and safety.”

Thao states, “These allegations are incredibly serious and must be investigated thoroughly. The gender pay gap is very real and persistent in this country. In Oakland, of all places, one of the most progressive, forwarding-thinking cities in America, it is unconscionable that this discriminatory practice would be allowed to go on. We must do all that we can to ensure equal pay for equal work. Equity is an Oakland value. Equity is an American value. It is my hope that this matter can be settled quickly, and Dr. Crain can return to the critical work of violence prevention in Oakland.”

Kimberly Jones is the chief of staff to Vice Mayor Kaplan. 

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Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025

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Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland

Food banks and grocery giveaways are a large part of the resources nonprofits in Oakland prioritize, particularly in areas like East and West Oakland where low-income families of color tend to reside. These neighborhoods are often labeled as “food deserts” or communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods.

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Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland
Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland

By Magaly Muñoz

In 2023, the average spending on groceries increased by nearly $30 each month from the year before;people are spending over $500 a month to put food on the table.

Through previous reporting by the Post, we’ve learned that families in Oakland are depending more and more on free or low cost groceries from food banks because they can no longer afford the rising costs of food at the store.

Food banks and grocery giveaways are a large part of the resources nonprofits in Oakland prioritize, particularly in areas like East and West Oakland where low-income families of color tend to reside. These neighborhoods are often labeled as “food deserts” or communities that have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods.

We’ve recently spoken to families across these two areas of Oakland and have heard several stories that all point to one problem: food is expensive. Some individuals are spending upwards of $150 a week for themselves or double if they have teens or small children in the family.

We’ve also heard stories of people with chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure struggling to maintain their diets because they’re having a hard time affording the food that helps them stay healthy.

Do these experiences sound similar to what you or your family are dealing with every month? Are you struggling to afford your basic groceries every week? Do you depend on food banks to help you get by? Are there any chronic illnesses in your household that need to be managed by a special diet?

We want to hear about your experiences and ideas for solutions!

The Oakland Post is investigating food access in Oakland and how residents are surviving as the cost of living continues to increase. Your experiences will help shape our reporting and show local leaders the need to invest in our communities.

In order to get as much feedback as possible, we ask that you click this link to fill out a brief questionnaire or visit tinyurl.com/Oakland-Post-food-survey. You can also scan the QR code above to reach the survey. After you fill it out, please consider sharing the link with your friends and family in Oakland.

If you have questions, please reach out to our Oakland reporter Magaly Muñoz at mmunoz@postnewsgroup or text/call her at (510) 905-5286.

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Oakland Post: Week of January 22 – 28, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 22 – 28, 2025

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