Nearly as many Black people died in Oakland from a bullet in 2020 as from COVID-19.
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
Oakland police chief praises Chauvin verdict, says ‘change has already begun’ at OPD
At a press conference on Wednesday, Chief LeRonne Armstrong said department reforms have led to progress. Others question whether the gains are sustainable.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Does Oakland spend nearly half its budget on policing?
Oakland will have a new city budget soon. It’s a good time to clear up a widely shared misconception about OPD’s share of city spending.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Secret files and a family’s long fight: What happened to the OPD officer who killed Alan Blueford
Nine years after the controversial police shooting, the public—and Blueford’s family—can finally look at the officer’s disciplinary record.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland mayor launches pilot offering ‘no strings attached’ funding to families in poverty
By giving 600 low-income families $500 per month, supporters hope to pressure state and federal lawmakers to do the same for all.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland pledged to reimagine public safety. Here’s what the city’s task force came up with
Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force approved 88 detailed proposals to shrink the role of OPD, rethink police accountability, and invest more in non-police alternatives.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
In a major shift away from police, Oakland approves MACRO pilot
Years in the making, the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland could fundamentally change how the city responds to mental health calls and other crises.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland expects to receive up to $192 million in federal COVID-19 relief
The American Rescue Plan includes financial assistance for cities. The money could help Oakland avoid severe budget cuts.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland is reimagining public safety and wants your input
Community members have several upcoming opportunities to give the city feedback on its sweeping plan to cut police spending.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Read the A’s Howard Terminal ballpark environmental impact report
The report describes how building and operating the A’s ballpark complex could impact Oakland’s environment. The public has 45 days to comment.
Posted inHealth & Environment
In Oakland, vaccine doses are reaching fewer Black and Latino people
Health advocates say inequities in vaccine distribution are a problem, but it would be much worse without grassroots groups and clinics.
Posted inArts & Community
Crime, race, safety: what’s really happening in Oakland Chinatown?
The assaults have sparked international outrage and been widely called hate crimes. Is there evidence that they were racially motivated?
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Rising crime, calls for solidarity: a deeper look at what’s happening in Chinatown
Is crime in Chinatown really increasing? What does community solidarity look like? The second report in our two-part series.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Who is LeRonne Armstrong, Oakland’s new police chief?
A 22-year OPD veteran, city leaders say Armstrong is a “native son” committed to the city he grew up in.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s Privacy Commission wants police license plate surveillance canceled
Citing reporting failures by the police department, the volunteer board is asking the City Council to end use of the cameras.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
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.
