Tomorrow is May Day. Like many cities across the country, the City of Oakland is aware of several planned peaceful events, which the City welcomes and will support. However, it has been brought to our attention that others may be intending to deliberately cause property damage, violence, and destruction in our city. We categorically condemn any such actions and will do our best to hold any perpetrators accountable.
We support peaceful gatherings but remind those attending a demonstration, march or protest after dark, these events may be providing cover for agitators who are more intent on encouraging civil unrest. Those individuals often commit acts of assault, vandalism and destruction in our community.
In anticipation of this Saturday's events, the Oakland Police Department will have more officers ready for deployment. OPD is prepared to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and create safe places and spaces for first amendment rights. The Department will take enforcement action for those who participate in violence against others, damage of property, and destruction. We will also be enforcing Oakland’s “Tools of Violence” ordinance to seize prohibited items that have no place in lawful assemblies.
We share this information with our businesses and residents to ensure our community stays informed about future events and demonstrations. We encourage those who may be traveling throughout Oakland as well as our surrounding freeways and bridges to use caution. Streets may be temporarily closed or occupied by groups of demonstrators. Any event organizer, promoter, or participant willing to liaison with City personnel is encouraged to contact us at opdnegotiators@oaklandca.gov.
Please consider these safety tips for your home or business:
- Be sure your business and home are well lit. Good lighting increases visibility—and also increases the effectiveness of any video surveillance system.
- If possible, park your car in a secure, off-street location.
- Bring in your trash receptacles and dumpsters or secure them.
- Bring in any outdoor furniture, signs, flowerpots, or other unsecured fixtures that could be used to break a window.
- Keep items away from windows. Secure valuable items and do not leave any money or items you deem valuable unsecured.
- The City of Oakland encourages residents and business owners to consider installing security cameras as well as alarms. These technologies can both deter crime and help solve crimes after they occur. https://apps.oaklandca.gov/CameraRegistration/
- If you have a surveillance system, be sure it is in good working order and is turned on. Save recordings to help document criminal activity.
We encourage anyone participating in Saturday’s activities, as well as Oakland’s civic, business, and community leaders to join us in supporting peaceful demonstration and in actively condemning those planning any destruction and violence. The former is welcome in our city, the latter is not.
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.
Report suspicious activity—if you know something, say something. Call 911 for emergencies and (510) 777-3333 for non-emergencies.
Sincerely,
Ed Reiskin
City Administrator