Multiple members of the City Council received campaign contributions allegedly linked to a contractor seeking a favorable legal decision and a land deal.
Author Archives: Darwin BondGraham
Before joining The Oaklandside as News Editor, Darwin BondGraham worked with The Appeal, where he was an investigative reporter covering police and prosecutorial misconduct. He has reported on gun violence for The Guardian, and was an enterprise reporter for the East Bay Express. BondGraham's work has also appeared with KQED, ProPublica and other leading national and local outlets. He holds a doctorate in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and was the co-recipient of the George Polk Award for local reporting in 2017.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Want to ‘dismantle mechanisms of discrimination’? Oakland is hiring a new police chief
Check out the remarkable job description for the next head of the OPD, just released.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
How to vote in Oakland this year
With the pandemic and suspicious postal service cuts, voters face more obstacles this year. Here’s what local officials are planning, and how to make sure your ballot is counted.
Posted inHealth & Environment
‘I’m fighting to be able to live in my own home’: Lakeshore residents share serious concerns
Some Lake Merritt residents say the city isn’t working fast enough to address noise, partying, trash, and illegal vending.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland City Council candidates discuss issues in their districts, virtually
The Coliseum, housing, police budgets: in an online forum last night, incumbents defended their records and challengers laid out visions for change.
Posted inOaklandside
Report: Former OPD chief allowed “corrosive police culture” to derail shooting investigation
A federal monitor criticized OPD for failing to properly investigate officers who killed a homeless man in 2018.
Posted inArts & Community
Street vending at Lake Merritt: race, space, and COVID-19
Black and brown vendors operating without permits say they need the lake, and the lake needs them. What should the city do?
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Federal judge restricts OPD use of tear gas and rubber bullets
He also said outside agencies must follow Oakland’s rules—and asked about those infamous Molotov cocktails.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Task force established to ‘reimagine’ public safety in Oakland
The City Council voted to set up a commission to redesign Oakland’s public safety system, including a 50% reduction in police spending.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland won’t make additional cuts to police budget this year
Mayor Libby Schaaf cast the tiebreaking vote, calling efforts to further reduce OPD spending irresponsible and dangerous. A task force could be next.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland mayor’s home vandalized with ‘defund OPD’ message
According to the mayor and neighbors, last night an unknown group exploded fireworks, scrawled anti-police messages, and splattered red paint on Schaaf’s residence.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Covid-19 outbreak grows in Santa Rita Jail
Coronavirus cases have suddenly exploded in Alameda County’s massive jail, calling into question whether the virus can be stopped.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
CHP refuses to name officers who killed Erik Salgado
Salgado’s family criticized the police today for “hiding” the identities of the officers involved in the June 6 Oakland shooting.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Did OPD violate its own policies against protesters? We investigated.
A visual examination of what happened before Oakland police fired on protesters on June 1.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Facing a proposed tear-gas ban, the sheriff warned he would pull aid to Oakland during protests
City councilmembers’ proposed ban was ultimately softened to a recommendation.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland City Council reduces police budget by $12 million
Several councilmembers wanted bigger cuts, and signaled future plans to reduce by up to $150 million.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s City Council debates ‘defunding’ the police
Several councilmembers and many civilian city employees say it’s time to rethink OPD’s budget.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Should the Oakland police officers who killed Josh Pawlik remain fired? A federal judge steps in
The twists and turns of a two-year battle over police discipline.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Erik Salgado and Brianna Colombo were apparently unarmed when CHP officers shot them
OPD said the officers opened fire after Salgado rammed his car into CHP vehicles.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Clean-up and conflicting views after Friday’s massive downtown protest
Scenes from a furious gathering of 5,000 that left major destruction and confusion in its wake.
