The City Council increased the $8.1 million camera contract by $250,000 to include other auto-activation features.
Author Archives: Darwin BondGraham
Before joining The Oaklandside as News Editor, Darwin BondGraham was a freelance investigative reporter covering police and prosecutorial misconduct. He has reported on gun violence for The Guardian and was a staff writer for the East Bay Express. 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. He is also the co-author of The Riders Come Out at Night, a book examining the Oakland Police Department's history of corruption and reform.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Chinatown group gives Oakland police 3 drones
A new Chinatown business group, formed in the wake of #StopAAPIHate, donated the unmanned aerial vehicles since OPD can’t buy its own.
Posted inRoad Safety
No more truck parking in most of West Oakland?
The City Council might make big updates to rules on where commercial trucks can drive and park.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Landlords sue to end eviction moratoriums in Oakland and Alameda County
Several Oakland property owners have joined a broader effort to end eviction bans by filing a lawsuit.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Federal monitor says OPD has gotten better at investigating police misconduct
The Oakland police department has shown it can investigate these cases quickly and thoroughly, two reforms required after a lawsuit.
Posted inHealth & Environment
6-year battle over proposed West Oakland coal terminal could soon end
The City Attorney announced a tentative deal that would keep Oakland’s coal ban in place, but allow development of part of the former Army Base.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Who’s given money to candidates for Oakland mayor, City Council, and other local races
A look at campaign finance records for 2021. Oakland’s election day is Nov. 8, while the county holds a June primary for district attorney, sheriff races.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Power out across Oakland following high winds
Thousands of Oakland residents and businesses were without electricity Saturday morning as PG&E crews worked to clear debris and restore service.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Deadline blown, Oakland’s Redistricting Commission hopes to adopt a final map soon
The commission meets Jan. 19 to weigh the pros and cons of changing City Council and school board district boundaries.
Posted inArts & Community
Pictures of the year: Images from Oakland in 2021
Our photojournalist Amir Aziz selected his favorite photos that captured the spirit of Oakland this year.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s Police Commission hires its first inspector general
Michelle Phillips, a deputy inspector in Baltimore, will lead police oversight efforts in Oakland.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Public Defender accuses Oakland police of violating Miranda law for juveniles
OPD denied the claim, saying they’re in compliance with a 2017 law that requires police to let youth hear about their rights from an attorney before being interrogated.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland mayor and councilmembers offer plan to increase police staffing
Libby Schaaf and Councilmembers Loren Taylor and Treva Reid want to reverse City Council budget decisions, adding another police academy and unfreezing police positions.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland parks director denies wrongdoing following auditor’s whistleblower report
The City Auditor accused Oakland’s housing and parks departments heads of violating city spending rules to award contracts to friends.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
ICE transfers are way down in Alameda County, but the sheriff’s office will keep cooperating in some cases
Eight people in Santa Rita Jail were handed over to federal immigration agents in 2020—down from 44 in 2019—and there have been zero so far in 2021.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Retired Oakland police captain wounded, 1 suspect dead following robbery attempt
Ersie Joyner, a decorated OPD captain who recently retired was robbed by a group at a gas station near downtown Thursday.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Recent arson at Lake Merritt Sailboat House part of uptick in vandalism, break-ins
Boathouse workers say facilities have sustained significant damage over the past month from vandalism and burglaries.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland police officer fired for fatal shooting created Instagram page that spread racist, sexist memes
An independent report released Monday criticized the Oakland Police Department for its slow response to the social media scandal that resulted in 9 officers being disciplined.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
9 OPD officers disciplined for ‘sexist and racist’ social media
An outside investigation discovered that a recently fired OPD officer set up an Instagram account that made fun of police reforms, and nine other officers are being disciplined for similar behavior.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Man accused of assaulting Oakland Chinatown leader faces trial Aug. 30
James Ramsey is accused of committing a hate crime against Carl Chan, but the public defender says that’s a false allegation.
