public safety
Ensuring public safety is a core responsibility of city government and a top priority for me. This includes not just police and fire but also traffic and pedestrian safety, dealing with nuisance properties and liquor stores, illegal dumping and litter, and emergency preparedness.

I am constantly fighting for more efficiency and accountability from our Police Department so that you can be safe in Oakland and know that your tax dollars are being spent strategically. Specifically, I am working on:

• Using Geographic Accountability in the police department (which means that there are individuals and teams accountable for reducing crime in certain areas. Additionally, data is constantly used to allocating safety resources.) Something similar to the “CompStat” system used in Los Angeles and New York would help us target resources in an efficient, informed way. To learn more about CompStat and geographic accountability, please see the “Harnett Report” below.
• Using GPS and data analysis to allocate resources. As policy-makers we need more information about where our City resources are being used and where they are needed. In case of emergency, it is critical that we deploy our people and equipment strategically.
• Getting as many sworn officers as possible on patrol. We have many sworn officers doing work that a civilian or annuitant (retired police officer) can do.
• Demanding performance, transparency and accountability for the tax-payer funded Measure Y (which provides $9 million annually for 63 additional police officers, $6 million annually for violence-prevention programs, and $4 million annually for fire and paramedic services).

Resources:
See our Community Page to learn how to get involved with Crime Prevention in your neighborhood.
City of Oakland Police Department
Jobs in the Oakland Police Department
“Harnett Report on crime-fighting in Oakland”
Measure Y (Public Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2004) Web Page
Alameda County District Attorney’s Office
Citizens of Oakland Responding to Emergencies (CORE) – free training
ABAG Earthquake Maps and Information

Past Accomplishments

• Used discretionary funds to install surveillance camera in several high-crime locations in District 5.
• Worked with Mayor to get sworn officers out of Oakland Airport and patrolling Oakland streets (2007)
• Co-sponsored state legislation with Alameda County to deter sexual exploitation of minors by providing counseling resources to help young girls break-away from prostitution.
• Worked with Glenview Traffic Safety Committee to install four speed radar signs, paint new crosswalks and advertise “Drive 30 through Glenview” campaign for Park Blvd. (2007)
• Marshaled resources to fund “main street” and façade improvement initiatives to beautify the International Boulevard business district. These efforts increased revenues to the city and revitalized the neighborhood when the vacancy rate dropped from 40% to nearly 0%.
• Crafted and enacted law to stop the over-concentration of unsightly and exploitative Check Cashing / Pay-Day Loan establishments throughout Oakland (2004)
• Closed or mitigated at least 12 nuisance liquor-serving facilities bringing relief to many neighborhoods.
• Reduced fire danger and improved child safety by cracking down on illegal fireworks with an emergency Fireworks Ordinance. (2004)
• Discouraged loitering and suspected drug-dealing by enacting law that enabled city to remove pay phones near liquor stores and other problem locations. (2001)
• Enacted Moratorium on new Massage Parlors in order to craft legislation that stops the exploitation of young women and stops the over-concentration of these establishments in our neighborhoods. (2005)
• Worked with colleagues on the City Council to craft and pass Measure Y, the Public Safety and Violence Reduction Measure, approved by 70% of the voters in November 2004. We are currently hiring and training new police officers for every neighborhood and developing a strategy to support violence prevention programs that work. (2004)
• Improved pedestrian safety for school children by enhancing crosswalks and installing stop lights near schools such as the Cesar Chavez Educational Center, Hawthorne and Melrose.
• Leading a citywide effort to take on some of the worst absentee slumlords by bringing forth public nuisance lawsuits and unfair business practice lawsuits to prevent abuse of neighborhoods and tenants.
• Worked with local nonprofits to help 45 Oakland families win battle against slum lord and to transform Oak Park Apartments into a neighborhood gem.