Dear Oakland Community,
This week, and potentially the next several weeks, Oakland – and other cities throughout the nation – may see planned and spontaneous demonstrations in response to the 2020 general election.
While we’re not aware of any specific event of concern at this time, we are providing this update in our effort to keep you informed.
At this time, accessible voting locations are operating as planned. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor these locations.
In anticipation of potential demonstrations, we have mobilized an experienced team to provide a safe venue for those exercising their First Amendment rights, while ensuring that we keep the demonstrators, our community, and our businesses safe. The City will increase staffing to provide safe space for the demonstrations to occur, if needed, and will facilitate free speech while maintaining public safety.
The City of Oakland will continue to monitor the situation. OPD uses a free, web-based application called NIXLE to provide timely updates to our community about traffic disruptions or suggested alternate transportation routes. If you have not yet signed up for NIXLE, we encourage you to do so. Text your zip code to 888777 to opt-in, or visit www.nixle.com. We also encourage everyone to sign up and follow OPD on Twitter @oaklandpoliceca.
As events are made known to us, we will keep our community informed. Report suspicious activity—if you know something, say something. Call 911 for emergencies and (510) 777-3333 for non-emergencies.
And if you haven’t already done so, please go out and vote! Accessible voting locations are open until 8 pm tomorrow night.
Sincerely,
Ed Reiskin
City Administrator