August 2020 - Lately there have been too many car break-ins along Joaquin Miller Road along the various entrances to J.M. park there. Through conversations with several neighbors and with Beat 22Y OPD liaisons, we have moved forward with ordering signs (see below), alerting drivers and park visitors of the need to leave absolutely nothing of any perceived value in the car. The first signs will arrive mid-August, and will be installed along the park side of JM Road (upper and lower entrances) by volunteer neighbors.

STATUS: Closed - 45+ signs were installed along JM Road and Skyline entrances to the park and adjacent parking areas. Per OPD, additional patrol units were sent to the area in recent weeks. While we've heard from local neighbors of a reduction in car break-ins in the month of Sept., we'll continue to monitor and work with the City/OPD to ensure and/or maintain a meaningful reduction in further auto break-ins.

Please see additional details and updates on this project here.

The 2019 3-Year Paving Plan (3YP) guided citywide pavement prioritization between July 2019 and June 2022. Building upon the record-breaking accomplishments of the 3YP, OakDOT is preparing the 2022 5-Year Paving Plan (5YP) to continue to invest in the care and maintenance of Oakland's streets.

PRESENTATION: https://www.oaklandca.gov/documents/2022-5-year-paving-plan-community-presentation

Click Here to Subscribe to Email Updates on the Next Paving Plan.

Oakland’s inaugural, community-led Redistricting Commission released four draft district maps for public consideration. To get involved with Oakland’s redistricting process, visit: www.oaklandca.gov/redistricting and select the ‘Provide Input’ icon at the top of the page.

The Commission will receive public testimony on the draft district maps on the following dates (all times at 6:00 pm):

• Wednesday, November 10, 2021

• Monday, November 15, 2021

• Wednesday, December 1, 2021

• Monday, December 6, 2021

• Wednesday, December 8, 2021 (anticipated map adoption, subject to change)

The Redistricting Commission also launched an online mapping tool for the public to submit their own new district boundary proposals. The online mapping tool allows the public to submit their own district map proposals or draw their communities of interest.

JAN. 26, 2021: The city was already facing an additional $62 million shortfall that still needs to be accounted for before the current fiscal year ends on June 30, 2021. The city administration recently cut $29 million from the current year budget by reducing some services, laying off remaining part-time employees, reducing pay for non-unionized city department heads, and reducing police and fire overtime spending. But that still leaves a projected shortfall of $33 million that, according to City Administrator Ed Reiskin, has to be closed before the end of June.

“We’re in a very deep hole,” said Reiskin at a City Council committee meeting Monday. He noted that $33 million represents roughly 5% of the city’s general purpose fund, the bulk of the city budget, which pays for services like the fire department, libraries, parks and rec, police, and planning.

According to a report presented by Reiskin to the council’s finance committee yesterday, those cuts were just a preview of even bigger budget shortfalls the council will need to fix this spring as they draft the city’s next two-year budget, which runs from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023.

“When we start to look at the next two fiscal years we’re looking at potentially even more significant shortfalls,” said Reiskin.

City staffers predict that over the next two years, Oakland will face a $150 million shortfall in its general purpose fund. Members of the City Council received Reiskin’s report with a mixture of concern, questions, and caution.

https://oaklandside.org/2021/01/26/oaklands-budget-deficits-are-getting-worse/

AUG. 14, 2021: The Chronicle examined personnel and budget data to assess Armstrong’s contention. Is the Oakland Police Department underfunded?

The data shows that police spending in Oakland has expanded for years, establishing the Oakland Police Department as one of the most expensive in the country. Now, the city is starting initiatives that will transfer responsibilities away from the police to other departments. But many elements of the Police Department’s workload won’t be reduced for months, or in some cases, for more than a year. Until that happens, public officials agree, police resources will be strained.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/The-Oakland-Police-Department-claims-it-is-16386039.php

"Dear Colleagues on the City Council and Members of the Public,

"We, on the Council have heard your message; our residents and community leaders stated unequivocally that the time has come for change and we are committed to working together to answer the call to create a shared vision for rapidly reimagining and reconstructing the public safety system in Oakland. We were nominated by our City Council colleagues to lead the effort as co-chairs of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force to unify the City Council and we are committed to an open, transparent, and thorough process, co-led with the community. "

(Read the remainder of the letter here: http://oakland.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=32b3542a-729c-4ad3-b895-fceb70ae4e6d.pdf)

Slide Show Presentation: http://oakland.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?M=F&ID=1580b41b-38ad-4ac6-9862-d731d10b5f82.pdf

Complex Reality - Article by Rachel Swan, SF Chronicle: https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Oakland-pledged-to-cut-its-police-budget-in-half-15689857.php

Learn More -- Working Website for Re-imagining Public Safety Taskforce:

https://www.oaklandca.gov/projects/reimagining-public-safety-taskforce

On Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, LeRonne Armstrong was sworn in as Oakland’s new chief of police. During an emotional ceremony outside McClymonds High School, Armstrong told an audience of city leaders, including Mayor Libby Schaaf, members of the City Council, and Police Commission, that he is “forever grateful” for being given the chance.

“I am honored to lead the men and women of the Oakland Police Department,” Armstrong said at the ceremony. Although OPD has previously had four Black police chiefs, Armstrong is the first Black chief who was born and raised in Oakland.

https://oaklandside.org/2021/02/09/who-is-leronne-armstrong-oaklands-new-police-chief/