City Hall & Policing Archives

A boxy, somewhat run-down apartment building on a steep hill.

Housing & Homelessness

Oakland sues sober-living homes over illegal evictions and sexual assault

by Natalie Orenstein Aug. 29, 2023, 4:00 p.m.Aug. 29, 2023, 2:25 p.m.

The operator of One Rose of Unity said she provides a needed service to tenants who’d otherwise be homeless.

A man in a white shirt and black pants with his hands folded stands near a mostly empty street intersection with a building behind him.

City Hall & Policing

A power struggle in Oakland Chinatown surfaces in a critical audit

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 28, 2023, 4:57 p.m.Aug. 28, 2023, 5:08 p.m.

A new report faulted the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council for chaotic meetings and confusing votes. But some stakeholders say the audit is a political broadside.

A person standing in a government building in front of a panel of people.

City Hall & Policing

Looking to get involved in Oakland? These city boards and commissions have openings

by Ayla Burnett Aug. 25, 2023, 11:15 a.m.Sept. 8, 2023, 10:43 a.m.

Nearly 40 official city committees help make policy and serve as watchdogs, but they need volunteers.

A white stone roof with a clock tower on top.

City Hall & Policing

Who’s running for Oakland City Council and city attorney in 2024?

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 23, 2023, 12:43 p.m.Sept. 21, 2023, 10:25 a.m.

The 2024 election is a long way off, but candidates are emerging in several key races already.

City Hall & Policing

Want to be an Oakland government watchdog? Join the ethics commission

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m.Aug. 18, 2023, 10:12 a.m.

Any Oakland resident who is registered to vote in the city can apply between now and Oct. 27.

A small white camera attached to a street light with trees, a street, and a lone car in the background.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland’s license plate readers have been off for months, so why does the city want more?

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 17, 2023, 9:00 a.m.Aug. 17, 2023, 9:05 a.m.

OPD quietly shut down its license plate reader system in February, but officials are pushing for more cameras.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker won’t seek reelection in 2024

by Darwin BondGraham Aug. 16, 2023, 11:23 a.m.Aug. 16, 2023, 1:53 p.m.

Parker served as city attorney since 2011 and said she is proudest of establishing civil rights, housing, and community law programs.

The top of Oakland City Hall visible above a city office building, all framed by the bright blue sky.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland police commissioners can’t stop the city from replacing them, judge rules

by Darwin BondGraham Aug. 15, 2023, 4:41 p.m.Aug. 15, 2023, 4:41 p.m.

Two commissioners claim they aren’t being reappointed because of corruption. A judge said these allegations are based on a “weak premise.”

Several women sit in chairs in an auditorium. One of them, wearing a pink jacket and hat with a mask, holds a sign that reads "Enough Suffering Fix It Already." There is a folded scooter in front of the women.

City Hall & Policing

What can Oakland’s City Council do about crime?

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m.Aug. 16, 2023, 4:44 p.m.

Residents often look to their neighborhoods’ elected representatives to “clean up the streets.” Here’s how city councilmembers can—and can’t—affect public safety in their districts.

City Hall & Policing

Former OPD Chief Armstrong files legal claim accusing Mayor Thao of retaliation, federal monitor of corruption

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 14, 2023, 12:05 p.m.Aug. 14, 2023, 3:31 p.m.

The claim, a precursor to a potential lawsuit, takes aim at OPD’s federal oversight.

A man in a white jacket standing in front of Oakland City Hall with a serious look on his face.

Health & Environment

Oakland’s $7M in soda tax money isn’t being spent wisely, board says

by Ayla Burnett Aug. 10, 2023, 4:26 p.m.Sept. 22, 2023, 10:56 a.m.

The Measure HH advisory board wants 60% of the sugary drink tax to go to community groups, but the mayor and council are using most of the money for city-run programs.

Three men with laptops and microphones laugh and talk while seated behind a dais. Behind them is a large projector screen.

City Hall & Policing

Oakland lobbyists must pay to play, officials say

by Eli Wolfe Aug. 10, 2023, 9:53 a.m.Aug. 10, 2023, 9:53 a.m.

Oakland is making lobbyists pay a $500 registration fee to do business in town, but the Public Ethics Commission wants to cut nonprofits a break.

A wide shot looking down at homes in a residential neighborhood stretching on for many blocks with flowers and a telephone pole in the foreground.

City Hall & Policing

Got ideas for making Oakland better? Take this new city survey

by Roselyn Romero Aug. 9, 2023, 1:47 p.m.Aug. 9, 2023, 1:47 p.m.

Mayor Sheng Thao is asking residents to give City Hall feedback on critical issues like affordable housing, public safety, and economic development.

From a view inside the car, a man drives a vehicle with his hand on the steering wheel. He has a concerned look on his face as he looks out the window, towards the camera.

City Hall & Policing

What violence prevention in Oakland looks like

by Florence Middleton Aug. 7, 2023, 9:30 a.m.Aug. 29, 2023, 1:13 p.m.

The city is cutting the Department of Violence Prevention’s budget by $4.4 million to help address a historic deficit. We followed a violence interrupter to see what could be lost.