Activism

Oakland Mayor Lays Out Agenda for Community Safety in State of the City Address

Published

1 year ago

November 5, 2023

Magaly Muñoz

The Oakland City Council held a special meeting Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz, Post Staff

At a special City Council meeting in City Hall Tuesday afternoon, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao laid out her current and future plans for community safety.

For some time, public safety has been a major issue in Oakland. City leaders and business owners have been critical of the city’s lack of initiative in responding to their concerns.

Thao reflected on the initiatives she has implemented during her first ten months in office. She mentioned the increased investment in the Mobile Assistance Community Responders (MACRO) program, which sends trained mental health professionals to non-violent mental health and non-criminal situations.

She also highlighted the additional funding for six new police academies and the expansion of foot patrol police throughout the city.

Mayor Sheng Thao several initiatives that include more community policing. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

Her new efforts are to enhance 911 police dispatching, add 300 new license plate readers, and put community ambassadors, security personnel, security cameras, and other additional infrastructure in high-traffic areas of the city.

Thao said she’s been listening to the community’s concerns and understands that things like violence prevention and community safety contribute to the overall improvement of the city.

“I know we have work to do, but we can only do it if we all come together,” Thao said.

The mayor also committed to investing in homelessness and housing issues in Oakland and to collaborate with as many officials and communities as possible to combat the housing crisis.

According to a 2023 article by Business Insider, Oakland ranks among the largest cities in California with the highest cost of living, with rent averaging about $2,700 per month and four-bedroom homes priced at approximately $900,000.

One of Thao’s initiatives involves collaborating with other Bay Area mayors to place a housing measure on the November 2024 ballot to expand the construction of affordable housing throughout the region.

The plan also includes $200 million for creating affordable housing units over the next two years, $53 million in state grant funding to construct 1,000 new affordable housing units, and preservation of 134 affordable units through Oaklands’s Acquisition and Conversion to Affordable Housing program.

As businesses struggle to stay open, Thao affirmed that she’s committed to revitalizing the city’s tourism. She has partnered with Visit Oakland and Activate Oakland to reinvest in the commercial areas to promote economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

This plan includes launching “Five after Five,” a pilot program to allow parking in the 19th Street Garage from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. for only $5, Thursday through Saturday, to bolster Oakland’s nightlife, concert venues, and weekend shopping.

“All of these investments we’re making in Oakland are contributing to making more businesses stick here in Oakland, more businesses expanding in Oakland, and more businesses coming to Oakland,” Thao said.

Thao took responsibility for missing out on the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant, stating, “I own that, the buck stops with me.” She declared that she is fast-tracking the recruitment of a grants coordinator and bringing in more grant management expertise. Additionally, she announced plans to upgrade and modernize the city’s grant management software tools.

Thao concluded her address by saying she’s “up for the challenge” to make Oakland a better place to live. Her final words were, “Let’s unite for Oakland. Let’s fight for Oakland. This is our city. This is our fight, and this is our future. Thank you all so much for joining me.”

Despite the extensive commitments Thao made in the agenda to ensure Oakland’s safety and success, people questioned her absence during the public comment, bypassing the opportunity to hear community feedback.

“You need to be here to listen; you gotta listen to what we’re saying,” Edwin Escobar said. “Hear us because we need you to do your job. People are dying; businesses are closing. This is real; the struggle is real.”

Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas said that the city officials have been working and will continue to work to give the community the basics, making sure that everyone from kids to seniors feel safe and that businesses feel like they have a place to thrive.

“We have to do better because we all deserve a stronger and safer, more united Oakland,” Bas said.

Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper.

Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.

The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

Posts by Magaly Muñoz

Up Next

Rise East Project: East Oakland Youth Development Center Assures Youth Have Input in the Future of Their Neighborhood

Don't Miss

Alameda County D.A.’s Office Adds $2 Million to State Funds for Fighting Organized Retail Crimes

Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper. Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

Click to comment

Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Bank of America Grants $200,000 to Richmond Housing Nonprofit

RNHS has provided housing services to Richmond residents since 1981. The organization develops, acquires, and/or rehabilitates single-family homes and housing developments in blighted or vacant lots in order to make them available as affordable homes for rent or purchase to low-income families.

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo by RDNE Stock via Pexels. Courtesy The Richmond Standard.

The Richmond Standard

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (RNHS) was one of two Bay Area nonprofits awarded a $200,000 grant over two years from Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders program.

The nonprofit also serves residents through education programs involving financial literacy programs, home loans, foreclosure prevention, and affordable rental counseling.

RNHS plans to use the $200,000 Bank of America grant to hire leadership staff, and to expand its Emerging Developers Program and Restoring Neighborhoods Program.

Through this grant program, RNHS will also benefit from comprehensive leadership training for its executive director and an emerging leader.

Since the Neighborhood Builders program’s inception in 2004, 59 nonprofits have been selected in San Francisco and the East Bay, with the bank investing nearly $12 million in philanthropic capital into these local organizations.

Along with RNHS, San Francisco-based mental health nonprofit RAMS also won a $200,000 grant this year.

“We’re proud to include RAMS and RNHS as the 2024 Neighborhood Builders,” said Gioia McCarthy, president of Bank of America San Francisco-East Bay. “Countless individuals, families and neighborhoods have felt the profound impact that these 59 Neighborhood Builder nonprofits have had in our area over the past two decades.”