Civilian Oversight of Militarized Equipment and Important Wins from the June 15st City Council meeting!

Hello Neighbor,

Today, my colleagues unanimously voted to approve civilian oversight of the Oakland Police Department’s (“OPD”) use of militarized equipment; approve our city’s support of AB 43; and honor Dorothy King’s life and legacy by a commemorative renaming of 2nd Street between Broadway & Franklin Street as “Dorothy King Way.”

We also heard a very concerning Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2020 from the Planning And Building Department and Housing and Community Development Department. This report continues to reinforce the fact that the City of Oakland must prioritize the building of affordable housing. I will continue to advocate for deeply affordable housing -- modular housing & purchasing vacant hotels.

𝑹𝒆𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒄𝒂 𝑲𝒂𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏

#𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎

Civilian Oversight of the Oakland Police Department (“OPD”) Use of Militarized Equipment

Today, the Oakland City Council unanimously voted to approve my Militarized Equipment ordinance. In advance of today’s City Council meeting, my office received a petition signed by over 1,400 Oakland residents, a letter of support from 31 Oakland organizations, and hundreds of hand-written postcards asking that we vote to have community oversight over military weapons used in Oakland. At the June 8th Public Safety Committee, we heard compelling community concerns and experiences due to the lack of militarized equipment oversight. From being teargassed for peaceful protest, intimidated at a Juneteenth celebration by an armored vehicle, suffering terrorizing SWAT raids in neighborhoods of color, and the killing of an unhoused resident behind the cover of the BearCat, Oakland residents have continuously organized to end police brutality since before the uprisings of 2020. Currently, the #DemilitarizeOPD Coalition calls for enhanced public safety through a “Controlled Equipment Ordinance” that requires OPD to account for all acquisitions and deployments of militarized equipment in Oakland.

On June 8, 2021, I joined a live streamed, virtual press conference with coalition organizers and directly impacted individuals who expressed the urgent need and broad community support for this ordinance.

PRESS CONFERENCE RECORDING: https://fb.watch/5-Db11KgDO/

“This legislation empowers the Police Commission to monitor and regulate the Oakland Police Department’s acquisition and use of militarized and militaristic equipment, and creates a practical regulatory structure designed to support actionable oversight," said Police Commission member Henry Gage III.

By passing this community-supported ordinance, the City of Oakland has sent a clear message to the rest of the state and the nation that militarized policing cannot go unchecked. 

LEGISLATION:

https://oakland.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4953660&GUID=CF406189-0347-4C90-A79B-DAD55FE6B6BE

A Resolution In Support Of AB 43

Today, the City of Oakland joined in support of Assembly Bill (“AB”) 43. AB 43 would allow municipalities more flexibility when setting speed limits and that cites prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and child safety when setting Speed Limits. Current speed limits are not set based on safety, but rather on the speed at which drivers feel comfortable. California has based its speed limits on a decades old process known as the "85th percentile." Traffic surveyors currently measure the speed drivers were driving and reflect 85 percent of the driver speed. Transportation experts today widely reject the notion that the 85th percentile speed is the safest speed. We are asking the State Legislature to pass AB 43 to prioritize pedestrian safety.

LEGISLATION: http://oakland.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=32387

Commemorative Street Renaming In Honor Of Dorothy King

I was honored to have shared some words at the Homegoing service for the amazing Dorothy King, who was, and forever will be, an Oakland icon. Ms. King lived her life committed to social justice, and she was an advocate for the homeless and formerly incarcerated communities. At the March 29, 2021, Oakland City Council meeting, I introduced a unanimously passed resolution to honor her life and legacy, as well as declare June 25th as Dorothy King Day in the City of Oakland. Today, we furthered our remembrance of Dorothy King by unanimously approving a resolution to commemorate her by renaming 2nd Street between Broadway & Franklin Street as “Dorothy King Way.”

Click to see the video: Honoring Dorothy King (March 31 2021)

LEGISLATION:

https://oakland.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4971628&GUID=9BC1E55C-7F8F-43A0-9C91-44219D471083