District 1 Community Meeting on Crime and Violence

To watch and comment virtually, visit www.facebook.com/dankalb

Greetings Neighbor, We’ve seen a dramatic increase in serious crime throughout our city. Total crime has increased in Oakland by more than 25% from last year, reminiscent of the high-crime period we had back in 2012/2013 when armed robberies and homicides were all too common. The increase in crime we are seeing now is an extremely worrying trend to say the least, which the city must address. The disturbing violent nature of some of the robberies has added to the understandable fear and frustration that many residents and business owners are facing. We understand that we need solutions to this crisis we are facing in our community. I invite you to our Community Meeting on Crime and Violence, where I will be joined by the Alameda County Probation Department and the Oakland Police Department. This will take place on October 16th, from 6:00- 7:30pm, at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, 3900 Telegraph Avenue. Beebe Memorial is a co-sponsor of this community meeting.

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On September 19, the City Council approved my legislation that prioritizes public safety and directs the City Administrator to focus on key public safety actions. Here is what it does:

9-1-1 Dispatch: Following up on our 911 Budget directive, the new legislation requires the City Administration to increase recruitment of 9-1-1 dispatchers, develop a workable retention plan, address recent Grand Jury recommendations and prioritize reducing 9-1-1 hold time. The City Administration also is working on important technology upgrades for our dispatch center.

Security Cameras: Directs City Administrator to create a grant program for merchant associations, business improvement districts and the like to purchase and install high-quality security cameras on private property along retail corridors. Also directs the city to work with CalTrans to place high-quality security cameras on freeway on-ramps to aide in investigations. Additionally, the Mayor has received funds from the Governor to purchase and install 300 security cameras in key locations around town.

Walking Beat Officers/Ambassadors: Requires for a permanent walking beat officer deployment plan to increase visibility of OPD officers, as well as exploration of a city-wide community ambassador plan.

Federal Assistance: Directs City Administrator to urgently request an increase in the number of FBI investigators assigned to OPD to assist in solving shootings and homicides. Violence Prevention and Intervention: Directs City Administrator to analyze the expansion of CeaseFire--our data-driven, gun violence intervention program. Urgently asks our federal and state officials to allocate additional funds for reentry services in Alameda County. Also promotes local trainings on conflict resolution.

Getting Guns Off Our Streets: Directs City Administrator (and OPD) to seek collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies stepping up coordinated operations to confiscate illegal guns.

MACRO: Requires analysis of Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) performance, comparing our program to other jurisdictions, and propose ways to increase the number and types of appropriate calls referred to MACRO, allowing OPD to focus on serious criminal activity.

Regional Collaboration: Directs City Administrator to contact County and regional governments, NGOs, and law enforcement seeking collaboration on overall regional prevention, intervention and enforcement strategies. The Council also increased grant funds for the local organizations that work with our Department of Violence Prevention.

While not meant to be an exhaustive list of public safety efforts, these actions prioritize the City’s efforts in ways that will tangibly improve the safety of the people who live or work in or visit Oakland. We also required regular public implementation updates

Event Type: Community Meeting

Accessibility and interpretation requests

Councilmember Dan Kalb, Beebe Memorial Cathedral, The Alameda County Probation Department, and the Oakland Police Department Present a Community Meeting on Crime and Violence Monday, October 16 from 6-7:30pm at Beebe Memorial, 3900 Telegraph Ave For questions email ssteward@oaklandca.gov