Eli Wolfe, Author at The Oaklandside

A group of people standing and sitting in a large room with pillars in the background. Several have their fists raised in the air. A man in the background is addressing an unseen audience.

Oakland’s innovative anti-violence program funded through summer, but what then?

by Eli Wolfe June 15, 2023June 15, 2023

Department of Violence Prevention contractors protested against budget cuts. The City Council has yet to decide on a final spending plan.

Oakland City Hall's white stone spire rises into the blue sky, partially obscured by the wall of a modern glass and steel office building.

City Hall & Policing

An unfamiliar feeling at Oakland City Hall these days: harmony

by Eli Wolfe June 15, 2023June 14, 2023

For the first time in years, there’s significant accord between Oakland’s City Council and mayor. Is that a good thing?

City Hall & Policing

Oakland City Council could take sting out of budget cuts

by Eli Wolfe June 12, 2023June 12, 2023

Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas released her edits to Mayor Sheng Thao’s proposed $4.2 billion budget, including more funds for fire trucks and the Department of Violence Prevention.

10 men and women stand in front of a fire engine during a press conference. Mayor Sheng Thao stands before a lectern in a purple suit, smiling.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland Fire Department won’t lose an engine thanks to a federal grant

by Eli Wolfe June 8, 2023June 8, 2023

In his final weeks on the job, OFD’s outgoing chief helped land $27.4 million and avoid cuts in the next city budget.

A group of people, most wearing green shirts and face masks, raise their hands and cheer in the Oakland City Council chambers. Several carry signs that say "Aye."

City Hall & Policing

Oakland billboard fight: Nonprofits will get millions and free advertising, but Clear Channel is pushing back

by Eli Wolfe June 7, 2023June 7, 2023

Clear Channel Outdoor alleges the process for awarding a $73 million deal with Becker Boards and Outfront Foster Interstate was “tainted.”

A group of African-American people stand in a gymnasium. One of them is holding a partially wrapped green and black flag. A woman in the foreground holds a microphone and addresses people off camera. In the background is a wall painted purple and white and a scoreboard.

City Hall & Policing

East Oakland public safety forum focuses on violence against Black women and children

by Eli Wolfe June 2, 2023June 2, 2023

Residents discussed ways their community can prevent forms of gender-based violence and exploitation.

A woman in a blue suit and tan blouse stands with her arms folded, smiling. She is in the middle of a concrete footpath that curves to the left out of view behind her. On her left are pale green shrubs, and to the right are darker green plants sporting long stems with magenta flowers. Grass and trees sprawl across a hill in the background.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland City Council in conversation: Janani Ramachandran talks District 4

by Eli Wolfe June 1, 2023June 1, 2023

The first-term councilmember said she wants to restore trust in City Hall, rejuvenate business corridors, and make roads safer.

Bronze lettering that spells "City of Oakland" resting above a glass doorway. The address number 150 is above the letters. The sign is surrounded by windows, and above it a sliver of stone wall is visible. Buildings are reflected in the windows.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland gets sued after ransomware hack

by Eli Wolfe May 30, 2023May 30, 2023

City workers exposed in the cyberattack demand compensation, and at least one has filed a class action lawsuit

City Hall & Policing

Have questions or concerns about Oakland’s budget? Don’t miss this meeting

by Eli Wolfe May 30, 2023May 29, 2023

Oakland City Council holds its first major meeting on the budget this afternoon to discuss Mayor Sheng Thao’s $4.2 billion plan.

A group of people in green shirts waving Monopoly boardgames in a white room with a vaunted ceiling. In the foreground are chairs and a desk.

City Hall & Policing

Fierce competition among billboard firms boils over at Oakland council meeting

by Eli Wolfe May 24, 2023May 25, 2023

Accusations of monopoly and deceit flew at a council committee meeting where a $68 million plan for new billboards across Oakland was approved.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland Police Commission needs applications

by Eli Wolfe May 18, 2023May 25, 2023

The powerful oversight body has gotten only one applicant so far for a vacant seat.

City Hall & Policing

Federal grant could offset planned Oakland Fire Department budget cuts

by Eli Wolfe May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

A $27.4 million federal grant will help alleviate OFD’s staffing crunch amid a historic city budget deficit.

A black and white painting Tupac Shakur's head above the neck, wearing a bandana, on a wooden fence. There are green paint streaks in the background. To Shakur's left is a partially-obscured painted face; to his right, a partially obscured painting of the front of a BART train.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland is renaming a street after Tupac Shakur

by Eli Wolfe May 15, 2023May 15, 2023

The West Coast rap legend known for “Keep Ya Head Up” and “Dear Mama” will get a section of MacArthur Boulevard named after him.

Seven men and women wearing masks are seated behind a long curved dais in a government hearing room, as seen from the perspective of someone sitting in the audience. In the the background is a large projector screen showing a man wearing a mask in a red jacket, checkered shirt, and bowtie. In the foreground is a table with papers, a box and a microphone, as well as two chairs. The tops of several people's heads are visible.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland ethics commission reckons with “devastating” budget proposal

by Eli Wolfe May 11, 2023May 11, 2023

Oakland’s ethics watchdog might scale back the “Democracy Dollars” initiative while its enforcement program stagnates.

A police officer in uniform exits his patrol vehicle to prepare to tow a car that was stopped for allegedly taking part in a sideshow. A group of young people talk with a plainclothes officer near the car.

City Hall & Policing

New rules for Oakland sideshows could mean jail time and fines for promoters

by Eli Wolfe May 10, 2023May 10, 2023

Oakland’s Public Safety Committee also discussed replacing OPD’s helicopters with a new surveillance airplane.

Jestin Johnson in a suit and tie with a brick wall in the background.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland Mayor picks Atlanta native Jestin Johnson as city administrator

by Eli Wolfe May 10, 2023May 10, 2023

Johnson most recently worked for IBM but has a long track record helping manage cities and counties. If confirmed, he would take over during a severe budget crunch.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland Public Ethics Commission hires new executive director

by Eli Wolfe May 10, 2023May 11, 2023

The city’s political watchdog agency hired Nicolas Heidorn, a leader in the popular but potentially stalled “Democracy Dollars” campaign.

Oakland Fire Chief Reginald Freeman wearing a navy blue uniform and white cap speaks in front of microphones at an event against a backdrop of pictures.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland mayor starts search for new fire chief

by Eli Wolfe May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

Oakland Fire Chief Reginald Freeman’s surprise resignation is the latest turnover atop critical city departments.

A gold plaque that says Office Of The Mayor.

City Hall & Policing

Reactions to Thao’s $4.2 billion budget range from optimism to unease

by Eli Wolfe May 2, 2023May 3, 2023

We asked elected officials, labor leaders, and advocates to share their thoughts about the mayor’s budget plan.

Oakland Mayor Shent Thao stands at a podium.

City Hall & Policing

Thao’s plan makes big changes to the city’s departments to address Oakland’s budget crisis

by Eli Wolfe May 1, 2023June 26, 2023

In her first budget proposal, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao wants to attack the city’s $360 million deficit by restructuring departments and tightening some services.