Citing reporting failures by the police department, the volunteer board is asking the City Council to end use of the cameras.

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.
Mayor and City Council president collide over policing, with focus on crime in Chinatown
After a series of robberies and and assaults in Chinatown, city leaders are arguing over approaches to funding public safety.
Data: Who has lost their life to COVID-19 in Oakland?
The Oaklandside has obtained a close look at COVID-19 fatalities, from how many have died to demographics on age, race, and more.
Oakland’s budget deficits are getting worse
The administration predicts an alarming $150 million city funding shortfall over the next two years. Councilmembers and city employees call for more transparency.
$10 million to return to Oakland’s budget after Warriors lose lawsuit
The money could help patch the city’s $62 million shortfall and reactivate fire engines.
Black women with civil rights and policing experience will run for district attorney and sheriff in 2022
Civil rights attorney Pamela Price and San Francisco Police Officer JoAnn Walker said they’ll offer voters a “progressive ticket for justice transformation.”
Internal Oakland police investigation focuses on racist, sexist Instagram page
Run by someone with knowledge of internal OPD affairs, the account used memes to undermine civilian oversight and valorize police brutality.
Former Oakland police officer defends Capitol mob and spreads conspiracies, earning ‘likes’ from OPD officers
On Facebook, Jurell Snyder praises the extremist “boogaloo” movement and repeats false pro-Trump conspiracy theories. Current and retired OPD officers have “liked” his posts.
Oakland City Council’s new leaders want to pursue a more progressive agenda
New council president Nikki Fortunato Bas said it’s time for “billionaire corporations” to “pay their fair share.”
Oakland building inspector faces possible $22,000 fine for bribery and extortion
The city’s ethics commission will soon decide whether to penalize a former city employee accused of a ‘quid pro quo extortion racket.’
As COVID-19 surges, Alameda County’s jail is getting crowded again
After an unprecedented effort to shrink the jail population last spring, the number of people inside Santa Rita Jail is rising back to pre-pandemic levels.
Oakland police seeking approval to purchase drones
OPD wants to purchase five drones. A civilian advisory group has recommended limits on how they’ll be used.
Alameda County jails handed 44 people over to ICE in 2019
Immigration arrests at Santa Rita Jail are down, but county officials and advocates say the sheriff’s cooperation with ICE should end.
Oakland’s current budget crisis called ‘worse than the Great Recession’
City finance staff presented new details about Oakland’s dire budget situation, and suggested cuts.
Unbudgeted police spending is biggest portion of Oakland’s budget shortfall
City staff warn the city faces “severe financial stress” if budget adjustments aren’t made, but some are skeptical of dire claims.
Pilot program for Lake Merritt vendors market comes to an end
City officials will collect feedback to see whether the market met vendors’ needs, defused conflicts along Lakeshore Avenue, and was COVID-safe.
Oakland voters overwhelmingly back police oversight measure
For the second time in four years, a supermajority of Oaklanders voted to give a civilian police commission vast authority.
Hear from the four finalists hoping to become Oakland’s next police chief
The Police Commission and Mayor Libby Schaaf held a virtual forum open to the public.
Federal judge eases restrictions on law enforcement agencies to use crowd control weapons in Oakland
The decision was made after OPD warned of possible election-related unrest.
Spending by independent groups soars in Oakland City Council, school board elections
Wealthy individuals, business groups, and unions have poured over $2 million into local races to influence voters.