National Night Out

Tonight thousands of Oaklanders will celebrate in over 670 National Night Out parties, one of the largest efforts in the nation. For the third consecutive year we have made great leaps and broken our city record as we continue to organize block by block to strengthen our neighborhoods.

This year is particularly significant for two reasons:

First, we are pushing police resources out into neighborhoods this summer in a reorganization built on the work of Bill Bratton and Bob Wasserman. We are making police leadership more accessible and more accountable on a neighborhood level by creating five geographic policing areas across the city, each with its own police captain responsible for the area. You can look up your area captain, beat lieutenant and sergeant, and the problem-solving officer for your beat online at http://mapgis.oaklandnet.com/PoliceDistricts

 

Officers lining up for National Night Out assignments.

We have asked officers to spend more time out of their cars: walking, biking, attending meetings, talking with residents, and engaging in a friendly way more often. We are seeing some initial modest reduction of some categories of crimes in some areas.

   

Second, we are making significant progress in the reforms monitored by the federal court. In July our court-appointed Compliance Director, Tom Frazier, wrote in his first progress report that under our new police leadership, the pace of our work has been extraordinary: "The change in the atmosphere of cooperation, and the focus on citizen service and organizational improvement have been recognized by many observers familiar with the inner workings of OPD. Interim Chief (Sean) Whent and his newly-formed executive staff are young, energetic, and obviously hard working." Our reforms include building on our work on the use of force and racial profiling with strengthened policies.  

 

 

In recent weeks, the verdict in the Trayvon Martin killing and the release of the film Fruitvale Station, the story of Oscar Grant's last day, have provided the nation and our city an opportunity to open our hearts and minds about some tough issues.  

Tonight is  an opportunity to show the true spirit of Neighborhood Watch -- an opportunity to get to know and to care for each other's children, rather than fear them.

Finally, this year the City Council passed the major initiatives I proposed for public safety:

• Two new police academies each year
•  Funding for additional CHP officers
•  Over 40 civilian positions to free up officers for crime fighting
•  Major funding for updated police technology, tracking software, police cars, and laptops.

OPD Cadets at last year's NNO rally.

This year we have also recruited three of the most diverse police academies in Oakland history and graduated our first academy in more than four years. We are still trying to grow the number of officers who live in Oakland, and we encourage interested residents to call 888-673-5627.

We are determined to make Oakland safer. We still have a way to go, but we have a plan and new resources. Over the next months we will ask for your opinions on selecting a new chief and finding resources for more police officers. I hope to see you at one of tonight's parties.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Mayor Jean Quan

OPD Clears Encampment at Frank Ogawa Plaza

The Oakland Police Department, with the help of seven other law enforcement agencies from around the Bay Area, cleared Frank Ogawa Plaza this morning completing the operation by about 7am.  Police Chief Howard Jordan, at a press conference at 8:15 am announced that there had been no injuries to officers or others and no use of force.  The Chief also said there had been 32 people arrested; only nine of those arrested gave an Oakland address.

Mayor Quan said she was glad the activities ended peacefully and she urged people to respect the decision of the city to close the encampment.  Both the Mayor and City Administrator Deanna Santana suggested public safety concerns, including last weeks’ murder on the plaza, required this action.

Santana and Jordan said they hoped the plaza would be re-opened by 5 or 6 pm today.  They both indicated that while peaceful assembly and expression would be allowed, lodging would not be permitted.  Chief Jordan said a police presence 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) would be maintained to insure that no tents, sleeping bags, camping equipment or other lodging materials could be set up in Frank Ogawa Plaza.

Letter to Mayor - What's your plan Mayor Quan?

3 November 2011

Dear Mayor Quan:

The lack of action has caused the occupy situation to speed out of control.  The vandalism, business losses and general fear is NOT an acceptable condition for our great city.  What is your plan?

The general strike and protests Wednesday were terrible for the City of Oakland. It is not peaceful to attack places of business, causing customers and employees to fear for their safety, breaking windows and preventing people from going about their daily business. Employees fear coming to work.  Productivity is down.  Businesses are losing income and their ability to remain viable is in jeopardy. New employers are turning their backs on Oakland just moments before signing new leases.

While many protestors are peaceful, the situation that you have allowed to develop makes it easier for violence to erupt. Hiding among campers and protestors, vandals commit acts of property destruction and violence that hurts us all. Leadership is required.    

The overnight encampment in public space should be ended immediately. Unfortunately after the good work of the police on October 25 to clear the camp, the City’s failure to act to stop new tents from going up effectively acts as permission to camp. We all have a right to free speech.  We all also have a right to enjoy public space, use roads and public transportation, go to work and shop without being assaulted.  It is incumbent upon city leaders to protect all these rights - for all citizens, including police.

Sincerely,

Joseph J. Haraburda

President & CEO