District 4 Councilmember Sheng Thao is proposing the city start a national search for experienced officers and offer a $50,000 hiring bonus.
Author Archives: David DeBolt
David DeBolt reports on City Hall and policing for The Oaklandside. He spent 12 years working for daily newspapers in the Bay Area, including on the Peninsula and Solano County. He joined the Bay Area News Group in 2012 where he covered a variety of beats, most recently as a senior breaking news reporter. During his time at BANG, DeBolt covered Oakland City Hall, the Raiders stadium saga and the A’s search for a new ballpark, as well as the Oakland Police Department and police reform efforts. He was part of the East Bay Times staff honored with the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News for coverage of the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
5 years after Oakland’s deadliest fire: Ghost Ship ‘frozen in time’
Some want a memorial or park on the warehouse ruins. For others, Oakland is a place of pain they’re moving on from.
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
Redistricting in Oakland: Here’s what you need to know
The city’s redistricting commission is seeking feedback as it nears the December deadline to finalize new City Council and school board maps. County supes don’t want to reduce the number of supervisor districts representing Oakland.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland’s 2022 election season kicks off—ahead of the usual schedule
The race to replace Mayor Libby Schaaf is already having an impact on City Council district elections. And plenty is bound to happen in the coming year.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Getting rid of trash just got easier for Oaklanders
Renters can now arrange for pickup of “bulky items” without bugging their landlord. The city hopes that, and other changes, will mean less junk dumped on streets.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland selects Black-led group for exclusive Coliseum development negotiations
The African American Sports and Entertainment Group includes Oakland business and sports leaders backed by a Black-owned investment firm.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
City Council this week: More winter shelter beds, possible Coliseum developer decision
The council will decide how to spend $300,000 in winter homelessness relief funds, and establish a funding district for the massive Oak Knoll project.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland takes first step to end cannabis testing of city workers
Employees suspected of consuming marijuana at work could still be tested under a proposed change.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
City Council this week: Pot testing city workers could end, outside law enforcement in Oakland
Finance committee will hear about unfilled city jobs while public safety will consider ending cannabis tests.