City Hall & Policing Archives

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 large metal ballot drop box, similar to a mailbox, with the words "ballot drop box" written on a sign over it, flanked by two voting booths.

City Hall & Policing

After fumbling last year’s elections, Alameda County’s voting office gets a new watchdog

by Darwin BondGraham June 7, 2023June 7, 2023

The county Board of Supervisors voted to create an election commission to oversee the registrar of voters.

A man in a grey suit and white collared shirt with a backdrop of grass in a field.

City Hall & Policing

After a national search, Oakland’s police watchdog has a new chief investigator

by Darwin BondGraham June 6, 2023June 6, 2023

Mac Muir grew up in Oakland and most recently worked for New York City’s police oversight board.

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.

Dozens of people sitting in a high school auditorium. A woman in the front row holds a large handwritten sign that reads "Do more."

City Hall & Policing

At North Oakland town hall, some residents demand more police and harsher penalties

by Darwin BondGraham May 31, 2023June 1, 2023

Many of the 200 people attending a District 1 public safety forum lashed out at city officials.

Many overlapping circular tire burn marks on a road between two yellow lines.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland sideshows: here are the city’s top stunt-driving hotspots

by Jose Fermoso and Darwin BondGraham May 30, 2023June 2, 2023

We mapped almost four years of police data revealing the Oakland neighborhoods most impacted by rowdy street takeovers.

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.

Road Safety

Report: Oakland traffic collisions are a ‘public safety epidemic’

by Jose Fermoso May 25, 2023May 26, 2023

The city described its efforts to stop traffic violence in a sweeping report this week.

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.

Business

Fruitvale merchants say ‘ya basta’ to ongoing violence, citing a lack of support from Oakland officials

by Azucena Rasilla May 23, 2023May 23, 2023

A group of small-business owners presented a list of demands to city leaders on Tuesday, addressing public safety in the neighborhood.

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.

The Oakland Police Department's emblem depicting a badge with a six-pointed star, City Hall, and ships at the port.

City Hall & Policing

Shootings, assaults, lies: Oakland police misconduct revealed on new city website

by Darwin BondGraham May 12, 2023May 12, 2023

The Oakland City Attorney’s office has published years’ worth of internal police investigations online.

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.