Bay Area

Oakland Hosts Town Halls on Public Safety to Discuss Concerns with Residents

The City of Oakland held a series of town halls on public safety this week to discuss and address residents’ biggest concerns about strategies city leaders are implementing to make the town a safer place. To kickoff the series, the public safety leadership team met at Beth Eden Baptist Church, where pews were filled with people ready to ask questions of city officials they don’t often get to interact with.

Published

2 months ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Oakland Public Safety Leadership team held a series of town halls to discuss and answer concerns around public safety strategies and initiatives by city leaders. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

To kickoff the series, the public safety leadership team met at Beth Eden Baptist Church, where pews were filled with people ready to ask questions of city officials they don’t often get to interact with.

“I want [this town hall discussion] to be honest. I want this to be productive and solutions oriented,” Mayor Sheng Thao said.

On the leadership team with Thao were Police Chief Floyd Mitchell, City Administrator Jestin Johnson, Department of Violence Prevention Chief Holly Joshi, and Fire Chief Damon Covington. Director of the Department of Transportation Josh Rowan and Assistant City Administrator Harold Duffey also joined the panel on Friday evening.

City officials have faced harsh criticism on the public safety front, with many Oakland residents reporting frustration and disappointment that they do not feel comfortable stepping out of their homes or going to work everyday.

Strategies like Ceasefire, a program used from 2012 to 2019 to reduce violent gun crimes, were highlighted to show that reinvestment in such initiatives makes it possible to reduce gun violence by at least 50%.

Programs like Ceasefire, which look to prevent crime at the source, such as gangs or individuals with histories of crime, are inter-agency. The Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) also largely looks at how to reduce and prevent violent crime and guide victims through their trauma.

Joshi explained that the department takes a community-based approach to tackling organized violent crimes in the city. These strategies include conversations with community members and grassroots organizations, providing resources and social services to those most at risk for crimes, and identifying who is most likely to commit crimes so that root problems can be tackled head on instead of waiting for these individuals to fall through the cracks.

As of August 24, violent crime is down 15% across the city from 2023 to 2024, according to police data. A major change from the 2022 to 2023 annual data that showed violent crime was up 21% and assault with a firearm was also up 12% in that same timeframe. Assault with a firearm is down 33% from last year.

“I understand that crime is not going down fast enough. I understand that you are not feeling safe enough. But we’re working extremely diligently to reimplement the things that we know work in the city of Oakland,” Joshi said.

Despite these changes in data and reinvestments into public safety programs, attendees did not appear satisfied with the results, saying they see more crime now than they did years ago when they were growing up in Oakland.

One of the main topics of discussion was related to the police department.

Attendees wanted to know when OPD would be receiving more police officers as there are currently only 691 sworn members to the nearly 431,000 in city population. OPD had 712 officers on the force before budget constraints cut positions.

Business owners and residents reported waiting hours after a crime is committed in their area before an officer shows up to take a report. Some local entrepreneurs claimed that police officers sometimes watch as crimes occur because they are not allowed to pursue potential offenders unless they believe that suspect has committed a violent crime, per OPD policy.

Mitchell explained that they are hoping to use the attrition of almost-retired officers in order to hire cadets who complete and pass police training from the local academies.

The Oakland police union revealed in a press conference earlier this month that there are only 105 officers a day over three shifts patrolling the city, meaning only 35 officers are on the streets at any given moment. The union added that to work more efficiently, 300 officers on patrol a day is the minimum in order to answer more calls and reports.

Homelessness was another popular topic during Friday’s discussion.

Residents wanted to know what the city is doing to enforce the removal of encampments and abandoned vehicles lined down major streets in Oakland.

Panel leaders said they often find it difficult to remove large encampments because advocates and lawyers will flood the scene and claim the city is violating human rights laws, putting a barrier on sweeps.

Johnson suggested that if people in the area are upset with these encampments and with advocates getting in the way of doing their jobs, residents should show up and provide support to city workers during sweeps.

Attendees did not respond well to the suggestion, saying that it was not their job to help the city and that officials should do more to clean up the neighborhoods.

Thao said she would be announcing an executive order soon related to homeless encampment sweeps, hoping to tackle one of the many public safety issues plaguing the city.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

23 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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A Student-Run Group Provides Critical Support Services to Underserved Residents

Those visiting The Suitcase Clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers. Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

UC Berkeley Law Students help a clinic visitor with legal advice at their Tuesday night services. The Clinic offers a variety of resources, including medical, to those in the community who have little access to these services. Photo by Magaly Muñoz

Part One

By Magaly Muñoz

Every Tuesday evening, the dining hall of First Presbyterian Church fills up with dozens of people eating, laughing and moving from table to table, receiving much-needed services from UC Berkeley students – just a few blocks away from the university’s campus.

Individuals seeking support services can be found in this multi-stationed room on the south end of the church talking to law students, student case managers, or receiving medical attention in a corner by healthcare professionals.

This weekly event is hosted by Cal students through a volunteer-run program called The Suitcase Clinic.

The clinic, founded in 1989, was intended to offer free resources to underserved communities in Berkeley and surrounding cities. The majority of the clinic’s clientele are unhoused or low-income people looking for extra support.

Those visiting the clinic can get legal advice, sign up for food assistance, receive housing resources, get medical help, or enjoy a hot, fresh meal. They can also get haircuts and foot washes from the student volunteers.

Nilo Golchini, executive director of the clinic, said one of the goals for most of the students working there is helping bridge the gap of trust that exists between many unhoused people and the healthcare and social welfare systems.

During their tenure in the program, many of the students say they become strong advocates for homelessness rights.

Visitors of the Suitcase Clinic can receive haircuts and foot washing by student volunteers every Tuesday evening. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re also standing in solidarity with them. So, it’s not saying, ‘I’m going to help you, but I’m also going to stand with you,’” Golchini said.

Student volunteers get extensive training prior to working directly with clients. Those interested have to take a semester-long class to become versed in areas such as outreach, intersectionality, how to interact with unhoused people, how to sign people up for social services. and more.

Volunteers then get to pick from three different clinics: General, Women’s, or Youth and LGBTQ+.

The General Clinic is the most popular among visiting residents, while Women’s and Youth/LQBTQ+ have more specialized services for attendees.

The Women’s Clinic has many of the similar services to General, but also includes nail painting, childcare, and massages.

The Youth and LGBTQ+ Clinic offers a safe space for young people navigating living on the streets, with services that include housing referrals, wellness and recreation classes and employment resources.

Golchini explained that it’s important for them to keep these clinics separate because the different demographics experience poverty and homelessness differently than those who visit the General Clinic.

Suitcase Clinic student workers posing for a photo with a frequent clinic attendee. The Clinic is open to Berkeley unhoused and low-income residents who need medical or legal service, or a hot meal. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

“We’re able to provide spaces where people can come in and feel safe and not feel like they’re constantly worried that something’s going to happen to them,” she said.

An outreach team also visits encampments every other Saturday in the Berkeley area to provide hygiene kits and encourage people to visit the in-person clinic, if possible.

However, Golchini said engagement has been low for some time now due to a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allows cities to ban and cite people for sleeping on the streets.

She said a lot of their clientele got displaced to other cities over time, making it difficult to stay in contact with the services the Clinic was providing for them.

But that hasn’t slowed down the students at the Clinic, if anything, it has pushed them to do more for the community they serve.