The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating an officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred on December 24th, 2021, just before 4:30 PM, in the 500 block of 98th Avenue. A community member called OPD’s Communications Division to report a male adult who had brandished a firearm at an area resident. Upon arrival, officers in a fully … Read more
Oakland Police Department sent a press release to Zennie62Media that reads as follows The Oakland Police Department would like to make you aware that early this morning the assigned guard of a local media news crew who was shot on November 24th, 2021, in the 300 block of 14th Street, has succumbed to his gunshot(s) … Read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWwv3y2_0SQ Oakland News Now – The Many Crimes of the Oakland Police Department – video made by the YouTube channel with the logo in the video’s upper left hand corner. OaklandNewsNow.com is the original blog post for this type of video-blog content. This channel does not support or oppose any organization or agency. We strongly … Read more
Oakland, CA – The City of Oakland released the following statement regarding the findings of an investigation into use of social media accounts by Oakland police officers: In January, the Oakland Police Department became aware of an Instagram account that hosted deeply offensive content that was sexist, racist, and totally unacceptable to the standards of … Read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kX0jN32G6Y ONN – Oakland Police Town Hall On Data Collection And Use To Fight Crime video by the YouTube channel in the video’s upper left hand corner. Powered by Restream https://restream.io/ via IFTTT Note from Zennie62Media and OaklandNewsNow.com : this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an … Read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4roWasHbGo ONN – Oakland Police Department On Unsolved Homicide Of Henry Texada – video by the YouTube channel in the video’s upper left hand corner. The Oakland Police Department is requesting help in solving the homicide of Henry Texada. On 4/28/20 around 1:46 PM, OPD officers responded to the 2900 block of 68th Avenue on … Read more
Oakland – The Oakland Police Department is interviewing candidates for Police Officer Trainee, virtually, and needs your help. The Oakland Police Department’s next round of Police Office Trainee oral boards are scheduled to take place in just a couple of weeks. Please look at your schedules and determine if you can help with the process. … Read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1u-ZDzWUAk ONN – Oakland Police Department’s New Trust Building Officer – video by the YouTube channel in the video’s upper left hand corner. Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong introduces OPD’S newly appointed community trust-building officer. He’ll work in conjunction with the department’s Chinatown and Fruitvale liaison officers. They are dedicated to creating better lines of communication … Read more
Teaunte Bailey, who was first reported to have assaulted 75-year-old Pak Ho in Oakland Adams Point at Jayne and Perkins, is now a murderer, after Mr. Ho died in the hospital last night. The Oakland Police Department put out this advisory which now classifies Mr. Bailey as a person who targets Asians. The Oakland Police … Read more
Pak Ho 75-Year Old Asian Elderly Man Attacked By Teaunte Bailey In Oakland Adams Point Died ONN – Pak Ho 75-Year Old Asian Elderly Man Attacked By Teaunte Bailey In Oakland Adams Point Died – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube As the Oakland Police Department reported, and Oakland News Now explained, Teaunte Bailey’s assault of 75-year-old … Read more
Oakland Crime: 75-Year-Old Elderly Man Victim Of Strong-Armed Robbery In Adams Point ONN – Oakland Crime: 75-Year-Old Elderly Man Victim Of Strong-Armed Robbery In Adams Point – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube Watch the vlog Oakland Crime: 75-Year-Old Elderly Man Victim Of Strong-Armed Robbery In Adams Point A Person Is in Custody After an Attack on … Read more
Imagine driving along Oakland’s Broadway Avenue, headed toward Jack London Square and in the objective of having great Everett & Jones Barbeque. As you stop at the traffic light at 14th and Broadway, some dude runs out in front of your car, points a gun at you, and yells “GET OUT OF THE CAR!” That’s … Read more
Oakland Must Establish MACRO—an Alternative to Leading with Police for Mental Health Crises Response—Immediately Oakland residents, labor and elected officials are calling on the City Of Oakland to immediately implement this program within the next six months Oakland – A broad coalition of residents, community organizations and labor groups are calling on the Oakland City … Read more
Oakland – Today the Defund Oakland Police Coalition released a comprehensive report in response to the draft recommendations issued by Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force (RPSTF). At a press event today experts involved with the recommendation process spoke to the specific recommendations from each Advisory Board. “The Defund Oakland Police Coalition is excited about … Read more
OPD Arrest a Berkeley Man for Criminal Threats Involving Hate Crimes From YouTube Channel: February 23, 2021 at 10:20PM ONN – Oakland Police OPD Arrest a Berkeley Man For Criminal Threats Involving Hate Crimes Oakland Police at work busting someone who apparently got carried away being racist on social media. Read on. For Immediate Release: … Read more
Oakland Police Officers Prevent A Suicide Attempt From Building ONN – Oakland Police Officers Prevent A Suicide Attempt From Building – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube OPD NEWS: On February 15, 2021, at about 5:19 PM, a person called the Oakland Police Department (OPD) Communication Division to report a person sitting on the ledge of a … Read more
Someone Is Shooting A Gun Just Over An Hour, Hourly, Daily, In Oakland ONN – Someone Is Shooting A Gun Just Over An Hour, Hourly, Daily, In Oakland – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube Someone Is Shooting A Gun Just Over An Hour, Hourly, Daily, In Oakland As the mainstream media focused exclusively on the naming … Read more
McClymonds High School Serves as Backdrop for City of Oakland’s Swearing in Ceremony for new Police Chief, LeRonne Armstrong, McClymonds Alumnus Oakland, CA — A sunny Monday morning at McClymonds High School looked very different than it has for the past eleven months. A crowd had gathered for a special event in which the school … Read more
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Announces New Executive Team, Darren Allison, Assistant COP ONN – Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Announces New Executive Team, Darren Allison, Assistant COP – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong Announces New Executive Team, Darren Allison, Assistant COP New email from The Oakland Police Department reads as … Read more
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong From YouTube Channel: February 5, 2021 at 02:55PM ONN – Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong This is what I wrote here at Oakland News Now on February 21, 2020, just less than one year ago: LeRonne Armstrong For Oakland Police Chief: Long-Time Deputy Chief Should Be Top Cop Oakland Mayor … Read more
Oakland Police Seeks Chinatown Assault Suspect Who Knocked 91 Year Old Man To Ground, And Others ONN – Oakland Police Seeks Chinatown Assault Suspect Who Knocked 91 Year Old Man To Ground, And Others – vlog by Zennie62 YouTube Oakland Police Seeks Chinatown Assault Suspect Who Knocked 91 Year Old Man To The Ground, As … Read more
Oakland, CA — Oakland Police Felony Assault investigators released the attached surveillance camera images and video of a suspect involved in three assaults in the Chinatown area. On January 31st, 2021, at 12:10 pm, Oakland Police officers responded to the 800 block of Harrison Street on a report of an assault. Officers located three victims … Read more
OUSD Students and Staff Featured in New Documentary Homeroom Heading to 2021 Sundance Film Festival This Month Oakland – Starting in 2019, a documentary film crew worked in OUSD watching the educational process and seeing the lives of students, along with staff and families. The intent was to show urban education through the eyes of … Read more
The letter below was originally presented in “Rebecca Kaplan Calling On Oakland Police to Stop Criminalizing Oakland Youth” here at Oakland News Now. It was digitized for presentation here. December 18, 2020 Dear Oakland City Councilmember Kaplan, We are writing on behalf of a consortium of youth development and community-based organizations including Black Organizing Project … Read more
First, Merry Christmas, everyone! Second, Let me repeat that title: “The Oakland City Council Budget Problem Is The Pandemic Councilmember Kaplan”. That take comes from a Twitter exchange that featured Oakland City Council President Rebecca Kaplan posting this to a small set of other Oakland-focused Twitter accounts: This: They say the huge budget problem was … Read more
Oakland Police Department Critical Incident Video / Officer-Involved Shooting – November 3, 2020 From YouTube Channel: December 18, 2020 at 08:22PM ONN – On November 3, 2020, the Oakland Police Department was involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1400 block of 92nd Avenue. When the Department has a critical incident involving our officers, we … Read more
Oakland — On Monday, December 7, 2020 the Oakland Finance Committee heard the FY 2019-20 Q4 & FY 2020-21 Q1 R&E Report. According to the Report from the Interim Director of Finance, dated November 30, 2020, “FY 20-21 year end expenditures are projected to exceed the budget for a total of $62.29 million deficit, which … Read more
MISSING PERSON Jeffrey Kirkland From YouTube Channel: November 20, 2020 at 01:51PM ONN – Oakland Police Announce MISSING PERSON Jeffrey Kirkland In YouTube Video OPD writes: On November 1, 2020, around 10:30pm 18-year old Jeffrey Kirkland packed his belongings and left a home in the 2100 block of High Street. Kirkland is described as an … Read more
Sideshow Seizures From YouTube Channel: November 20, 2020 at 09:33PM ONN – Oakland Police YouTube Video Shows Cars Nabbed As Part Of Sideshow Seizures Program OPD writes: Today, with the help of CHP – Solano and Newark PD, eight sideshow vehicles were towed and seized with 30-day holds as part of an investigation lead by … Read more
Oakland – Over the last week the Oakland Police Commission made two bold policy actions to keep Oaklanders safe. The Oakland Police Commission unanimously approved a new use of force and asphyxia policy for the Oakland Police Department during Commission meetings (October 8 and October 15th). The Police Commission’s action was fully supported by leadership of the Oakland Police Department, the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) and several community groups, many of whom assisted Commissioners in developing the new policy by providing personal perspectives and subject matter expertise.
The revision process was led by an Ad Hoc Committee of three Commissioners and supported by legal and policy experts, a project management consultant, Police Department leadership, and representatives from the City and community.
“This policy is the culmination of almost a year’s worth of hard work and is a first step in rebuilding trusted relationships,” said Commissioner Ginale Harris, Ad Hoc Committee Chair. “The Black community has suffered enough. We needed a new use of force policy that clearly guides officers to protect us, not harm us. I don’t believe that policy changes behavior, and I believe it’s going to take more than just this policy to have accountability. However, I do believe this new policy is a start, especially in holding officers accountable.
It’s one of the most progressive policies out there and I’m very proud of the collaborative work that this effort has produced,” added Harris.
The Commission and the Oakland Police Department agreed to overhaul Oakland’s outdated use of force policy after completing a limited revision in January 2020 that brought Oakland into compliance with Assembly Bill 392. That initial revision made clear that a more substantive change was required.
Despite significant challenges created by the ongoing pandemic, the Ad Hoc Commissioners initiated a community engagement process to surface public sentiment and ideas and incorporated this feedback into the final policy.
“This policy was created during an exceptional time; mass protests, calls for police reform, economic recession and a global pandemic. Those conditions required that the Commission innovate to ensure the voices of those most marginalized and directly impacted by police use of force were included. I want to extend gratitude to the many community voices that made important changes in the policy possible,” added Commissioner Tara Anderson, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee. “This policy is a milestone. It is not a bookend, but instead a chapter in the work towards rebuilding stronger, safer and more equitable communities in Oakland.”
Changes to Oakland Police Department’s use of force policy include the use of the term “weapons” instead of “tools” to signify the gravity involved, as well as:
• Prioritizing the sanctity of life
• Requiring the use of de-escalation tactics, and directing officers to
consider disengagement as an
alternative to the immediate application of force
• Using person-centric language throughout
• Placing strict necessity and proportionality requirements on all uses of
force
• Requiring officers to intervene if they view other officers using
inappropriate force
• Pushing far beyond the Constitutional “floor” for police Use of Force
policies, among other things
“There is an ever-present tension when looking at a policy like this one because it initiates the review of so many other related policies and training bulletins. It also requires cooperation and collaboration with other entities like the City Council, state legislature and maybe even federal authorities,” said Commissioner Henry Gage III, member of the Ad Hoc committee and Vice Chair of the Oakland Police Commission. “This is a better policy than the one that came before it. It is a new foundation, and one we intend to build on.”
A revised version of Special Order (SO) 9205 Banning of the Carotid Restraint and All Forms of Asphyxia was approved during the Thursday night Special Commission meeting. The language added by the Commission clarified expectations about rendering medical assistance and explicit prohibitions on applying pressure to the chest, back, stomach or shoulders. SO 9205 goes beyond the prohibitions on carotid and chokehold signed into law by Governor Newsom last month, the Commission’s policy bans additional forms of contact known to cause serious injury and death.
The implementation of this new version of Department General Order K03 (Use of Force) and the additional language on Asphyxia in SO 9205 will go into effect immediately.
This post based on a press release to Zennie62Media.
ONN – Oakland Police Report Jonathan Bandabaila A Missing Person
OPD reports:
On May 3, 2019, Jonathan Bandabaila was last seen leaving his Oakland home for a soccer tournament and has not been in contact with his family since. On May 4, 2019, Bandabaila’s 1998 silver Honda Accord was found parked and unoccupied in the Westbound lanes of the San Mateo Bridge. The Bandabaila Family is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to Jonathan’s whereabouts. Please contact OPD Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a YouTube channel. When the video is “liked” by Zennie62 YouTube, then it is automatically uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective here, on top of our is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours – is the use of the existing YouTube social graph on any subject in the World. Now, news is reported with a smartphone and also by promoting current content on YouTube: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary, or having a camera crew to shoot what is already on YouTube. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
ONN – Oakland Police Department Shotspotter YouTube Video Report For October 14, 2020
OPD reports:
This ShotSpotter activation took place Tuesday, around 8:20p. 60+ rounds of gunfire could be heard in the 8500 blk of Dowling Street in East Oakland. One person was struck by the gunfire and is expected to survive. That shooting is a few blocks away from today’s double homicide. We as a community must work together to end the violence.
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a YouTube channel. When the video is “liked” by Zennie62 YouTube, then it is automatically uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective here, on top of our is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours – is the use of the existing YouTube social graph on any subject in the World. Now, news is reported with a smartphone and also by promoting current content on YouTube: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary, or having a camera crew to shoot what is already on YouTube. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Oakland District Two Councilmember Nikki Bas’ Digitized Newsletter
Last week, I was so moved to see #MomsHouse on Magnolia Street finally become community-owned as permanently affordable, transitional housing for unsheltered mothers.
Congratulations to Dominique Walker, Tolani King, Misty Cross, Sameerah Karim and Carroll Fife for leading this movement to end corporate speculation and house more Oaklanders. I am proud to have stood with them over the last year to call attention to making housing a human right, together with Council President Rebecca Kaplan, Councilmember Dan Kalb and Assemblymember Rob Bonta.
Sustainable, Healthy Use of Lake Merritt – Lake Merritt Vending Pilot Program Update
Coming out of the second weekend of our Lake Merritt Vending Pilot Program, we were excited to be joined by Parks and Recreation Advisory Commissioner Dwayne Aikens, Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kev Choice, the Oakland Black Vendors Association and neighbors to:
• Promote health and safety during COVID-19,
• Support struggling small businesses and entrepreneurs in this difficult time, and
• Ensure sustainable, equitable and inclusive long-term use of the Lake.
This pilot program for merchandise vendors will take place through November 22nd on El Embarcadero and along Lakeshore to Beacon from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
This weekend, Community Ready Corps (CRC) will be joining the pilot to promote public health during COVID. Volunteers will distribute COVID kits that have face masks, hand sanitizer and gloves to help promote compliance with the County Health Order.
My team is grateful for the collaboration of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC), the Oakland Black Vendors Association, James “Old School” Copes, city departments, and the community to ensure access, safety and equity at the Lake for everyone in our city.
This is what an Oakland for all of us means to me — working with a coalition of diverse stakeholders to ensure the Lake, as our city’s pride, is an enjoyable public space that each of us can use.
TUESDAY 10/20: Oakland City Council Meeting Preview Homeless Encampment Management Policy and Community Safety
Tuesday, October 20th’s 1:30pm City Council meeting will include the following important agenda items:
Item 6: COVID-19 Emergency Response And The Creation Of Clean Air Buildings For Use Of The Community During The COVID-19 Shelter In Place Emergency.
Thanks to our awesome District 2 constituent and outgoing Cleveland Heights Neighborhood Council Co-Chair Rachel Broadwin for introducing us to Dr. Rupa Basu, Section Chief for the Air and Climate Epidemiology Section of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment at CalEPA. At our September Council meeting, I expressed concern that our air quality and temperature triggers were too high to fully protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable residents. At my urging, our Fire Department staff met with Dr. Basu to discuss recommendations for activating extreme weather Emergency Respite Centers (ERC) in Oakland. As an outcome of the conversation and further discussions with internal stakeholders and community feedback, the activation triggers for the City of Oakland have been lowered to an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 200 – Very Unhealthy (versus what was previously 250) and temperatures forecasted to reach/exceed 95 degrees for 2 consecutive days or 100 degrees in one day. We are grateful for Dr. Basu and Rachel’s important expertise as we navigate these challenging times!
Item 7: Gun Violence Top Law Enforcement Priority resolution from President Kaplan to prioritize the decrease in illegal guns and gun violence by increasing gun tracing, improving response time to shooting notifications, and prioritizing response to gun crime.
Item 8: Homeless Encampment Management resolution, which proposes to designate priority areas for encampment management and outlines actions including the criteria for assessing what locations will be prioritized for enforcement or other homelessness interventions from the city.
Item 14: Adopt either the resolution proposed by the Oakland Police Commission or Oakland Police Department banning the carotid restraint and all forms of asphyxia.
Item 16: I’m co-sponsoring with President Kaplan, a resolution Terminating the Oakland Police Department’s Participation In The Joint Terror Task Force to ensure compliance with our local and state laws and focus on threats based on evidence, not bias or racial profiling.
See details to join the meeting and provide public comment. You can also share e-comments here.
TUESDAY 10/27: Community & Economic Development Meeting – Impact Fees, Economic Recovery Recommendations
On Tuesday October 27th at 1:30pm, the Community and Economic Development Committee will discuss two important items:
Item 2: Informational report on Impact Fees for Affordable Housing, Jobs/Housing, and Transportation and Capital Improvements, and
Item 3: Informational report on the Economic Recovery Council’s Draft Recommendations.
Oakland Workers, Know Your Rights! COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave
Thank you to East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) for creating Know Your Rights materials on the emergency protections for Oakland workers passed by Council earlier this summer, which I was proud to co-sponsor.
The City’s Emergency Paid Sick Leave policy requires certain employers to provide leave to workers who test positive for COVID-19, present symptoms, are caring for family members who were exposed or present symptoms, or are at high risk from an infection. Check out and share the flyers in English and Spanish so that Oakland workers are aware of their rights!
City of Oakland; District 2 News and Resources
County Reopening Updates, Small Biz Legal Support, Grants for Home-Based Business
New County Health Orders Allow Additional Business Operations: Effective October 9, Alameda County now allows: hotels & lodging for tourism with their fitness centers and indoor pools restricted; museums, zoos & aquariums indoors at < 25% capacity; personal care services indoors with modification (services requiring removal of face covering still prohibited); gyms and fitness centers indoors at < 10% capacity with restrictions on aerobic exercise and classes. While the update allows partial reopening of libraries, Oakland Public LIbrary will remain closed for indoor services until plans are in place for safely reopening the buildings.
Beginning Friday, October 16, Alameda County will permit additional outdoor activities, including playgrounds, that follow the State’s guidance. Additionally, Alameda County is preparing to update the local Health Officer Orders to permit additional activities during the week of October 26. These activities will include: indoor dining up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less; indoor worship services up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less; indoor theaters up to 25% capacity or less than 100 people, whichever is less; expansion of indoor retail and malls at up to 50% of capacity and permitting limited food courts.
County Guidance on Safe Halloween Practices: Bay Area health officials recently released guidance on how to celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos safely. Gatherings, celebrations, events or parties with non-household members are not permitted unless conducted in compliance with local and state health orders. Please avoid participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door and do not have trunk-or-treat where treats are handed from car trunks lined up in large parking lots.
Many traditional Halloween celebrations, such as parties and door-to-door trick-or-treating, pose a high risk of spreading COVID-19 and are strongly discouraged by CDPH
Not only do traditional celebrations pose a spread risk, they would also result in great difficulty in conducting appropriate contact tracing
Local Health Departments may have additional, more stringent restrictions
CDPH recommends that families begin planning for safer alternatives.
Legal Help for Oakland Small Businesses with Lease Negotiations: Oakland has allocated $150,000 of California CARES funding to the nonprofit Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the SF Bay Area to provide legal advice and assistance on lease negotiations to small businesses that have suffered revenue losses due to COVID-19. Business owners can access these free, multilingual legal services here, such as commercial leasing webinars through mid-December, 1:1 one-hour consultations and longer-term assistance which may include lease negotiation, pre-litigation and settlement negotiations or representation in a court proceeding.
$2-4K Grants for Home-Based Businesses: Income from a home-based business is often a big source of household income for our city’s entrepreneurs. The Oakland CARES Act Home-Based Business Grant program will distribute $500,000 to home-based, for-profit businesses. Apply here by 11:59pm on Monday, November 2 in 4 languages. Priority will be given to businesses representing a broad geographic diversity in Oakland, especially those located in low-income areas or otherwise historically vulnerable communities; those who have received $4,000 or less in funding from the Paycheck Protection Program; and those with annual gross business revenue under $150,000.
Several Grants Extended:
The Oakland CARES Act Small Business Grant Program will accept applications until 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23. This program will provide $10,000 grants to qualifying Oakland small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and have gross revenues under $2 million. Online applications and eligibility requirements in four languages are available at: mainstreetlaunch.org/oakland-cares-act-grant/
The application deadline for the Oakland CARES Nonprofit Grant Fund has been extended to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28. This program will award grants of up to $25,000 to qualifying community-serving nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $1 million that address the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of low-income residents and businesses in the following areas: Health & Human Services; Economic & Workforce Development; Legal Support; Food Security; Homeless and Renter Support Services; and Education. Online applications and eligibility requirements are available at: communityvisionca.org/oaklandcares/
The application deadline for the Oakland CARES Fund for Artists and Arts Nonprofits impacted by COVID-19 has been extended to 1pm Friday, October 23. The program will distribute awards of up to $20,000 to arts nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $2.5M, while supporting individual artists with grants of up to $3,000 each. Learn more here.
Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation’s 1st Citywide Parks Workshop: Whether you’re an experienced community leader or a new volunteer, join this free workshop taking place on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00am to 1:00pm to collaborate and learn about strategies and tools to improve Oakland parks. Learn more and register here.
East Bay Community Energy’s Resilient Home Program: Oakland has partnered with nonprofit public electricity provider East Bay Community Energy to launch a solar + battery backup program for homeowners. EBCE has partnered with Sunrun to provide no-cost / obligation-free consultations and will provide a proposal for your consideration. If you decide to move forward, there is a $1,250 incentive to homeowners that enroll their battery in the program and share power with EBCE during peak times when there isn’t a power outage. Since launch in August, nearly 700 homeowners countywide have registered for consultations. Sign up for your consultation and learn more at upcoming webinars.
Voting Reminders
Vote Early!
Given the pandemic and the threats to our democracy, please vote early. All registered voters will be sent an absentee ballot automatically to limit COVID exposure. You must register to vote to receive an absentee ballot!
You can vote in person or drop off your ballot at the Alameda County Registrar of Voters: 1225 Fallon Street, Room G1, Oakland, or put it into one of the official, free 24-hour drop boxes anytime by November 3rd 8pm. If you use a USPS mailbox, postage is free, and it’s critical to vote early!
You can also sign up to track your ballot.
October 19th is the last day for regular online voter registration.
October 20th – November 3rd, you can do same day voter registration.
On November 3rd, you can vote in person or drop your ballot off at your polling place by 8pm.
With many measures on the ballot, my go-to guides are Oakland Rising’s Voter Guide and the CA AAPI Voting Guide in seven AAPI languages.
With Oakland Love,
Nikki Fortunato Bas
Councilmember, City of Oakland, District 2
ONN – Oakland Police Department 2019 Annual Stop Data Report Video
Oakland Police Department:
The Oakland Police Department is pleased to share the 2019 Report on Stop Data with our Oakland community. This report fulfills OPD’s yearly requirement to release the prior year’s Stop Data. OPD continues to be a leader in Stop Data collection and exceeds the requirements of California Assembly Bill 953. OPD is proud to be the only department in the State of California who collects Intel Led Stop Data, which requires officers to clearly explain if the stop being made is associated with any current criminal activity.
Our partnership with the Oakland community is critical to the success of OPD’s work to improve the quality of life in our City. Historically, OPD collected Stop Data and made it available to the public in an effort to be transparent. OPD’s commitment to identifying and addressing racial disparities in traffic enforcement has not waivered.
The data found in this report reflects our intentional efforts to practice fair and impartial policing. The significant reduction in traffic stops on our Black and Hispanic community members reflects your police department’s work on reducing the adverse impact law enforcement contacts can have on our under-represented community members.
OPD has long been a leader in the country collecting and analyzing Stop Data. Our efforts have focused on reducing the impact of disparity to our vulnerable communities through the use of this data. This use of collected data is one of our efforts to ensure the practice of fair and constitutional policing and the reduction of racial disparity in our enforcement efforts.
Please note that while OPD has routinely collected and analyzed more data than required by AB 953, the Bill created a need for us to change some of our past data collection methods. We will continue to produce, analyze, and share data with our community that reflects the focus of OPD’s work toward transparency and fairness.
Stay tuned.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a YouTube channel. When the video is “liked” by Zennie62 YouTube, then it is automatically uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective here, on top of our is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours – is the use of the existing YouTube social graph on any subject in the World. Now, news is reported with a smartphone and also by promoting current content on YouTube: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary, or having a camera crew to shoot what is already on YouTube. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
OPD Leadership
From YouTube Channel: September 29, 2020 at 12:00AM
ONN – Oakland Police Department OPD Leadership On Reducing Violence In Oakland
OPD leadership discuss a violent weekend of shootings and homicides. City leaders, OPD, & Community Partners are committed to reducing violence in Oakland to keep our community safe for residents & visitors. Click the link for the full video.
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a YouTube channel. When the video is “liked” by Zennie62 YouTube, then it is automatically uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective here, on top of our is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours – is the use of the existing YouTube social graph on any subject in the World. Now, news is reported with a smartphone and also by promoting current content on YouTube: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary, or having a camera crew to shoot what is already on YouTube. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
Sustainable, Healthy Use of Lake Merritt: Pilot Program Beginning this Weekend
The issues at Oakland’s Lake Merritt are complex, with groups having different needs and perspectives, all of which are important and that we are working to honor — families and elders facing challenging issues living at the Lake, entrepreneurs / vendors of color seeking economic stability during uncertain times, park users, and wildlife conservationists. In a recent update, I shared the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission / PRAC’s recommendations for sustainable use of Lake Merritt, which sought to balance the two perspectives below:
What is going on around the Lake is not sustainable and must change ASAP.
People need healthy outdoor places to gather and engage in commercial activity, especially during these unprecedented times.
On September 16th, PRAC voted to recommend a pilot program to deter illegal parking and vending; promote compliance with park rules and County rules during COVID; and address challenges such as late night noise.
The City, in coordination with the Oakland Black Vendor Association, is developing this pilot for merchandise vendors to take place along El Embarcadero and in the Lakeview Library parking lot on weekends beginning this Saturday, October 3rd, 10am – 6pm. Note: If air quality reaches the 150+ Unhealthy level, the program will be postponed until next weekend.
The City of Oakland is working to resolve concerns related to late night noise, large gatherings prohibited under COVID, etc. in coordination with the launch of the pilot. Our goal is to reset the tone at the Lake and address the core issues that we’ve heard from neighbors, while also maintaining an inclusive, equitable and safe public space during COVID and beyond.
Oakland Police Department will work with our municipal code officers this weekend to warn vendors of increased enforcement action as the pilot begins, and my office will continue to engage and encourage vendors to participate in this new pilot.
We welcome your feedback. We are grateful to the Oakland City Administrator’s Office, City Departments, James “Old School” Copes, Oakland Black Vendors Association, and PRAC Commissioners for helping make this pilot happen quickly and supporting multiple, complex interests.
In addition, the Downtown Streets Team, has relaunched its Oakland Team to support unhoused individuals providing them with work beautifying Lake Merritt, including litter pick up around the Lake. In return for their volunteer services, Team Members receive a basic-needs stipend, case management, employment services, and a support network. Team Members are giving back to Oakland while working to overcome barriers to housing and employment. You may see the team beautifying the lake as they relaunch their program this month.
Note: post based on newsletter dated October 3rd, 2020.
Oakland – Today, the Oakland City Council, CPAB, SSOC, and the Police Commission will discuss the concept, introduced by Council President Rebecca Kaplan, to make guns the top law enforcement priority in the City of Oakland. If Oakland can deter illegal guns and gun violence by increasing gun tracing, improving response time to shooting notifications, and prioritizing response to gun crime, the city will be a safer place to live.
The Oakland City Council has previously adopted policies to set law enforcement priorities in the direction of “low priority” issues — designating which topics it would be the policy for OPD not to prioritize, such as cannabis.
“I am calling for the City of Oakland to Declare Gun Violence as the Top Law Enforcement Priority for the City of Oakland, to decrease the number of illegal guns and gun violence in the city. By increasing gun tracing and prioritizing action to respond to gun crime,” states Council President Rebecca Kaplan. “We must recognize the easy availability of illegal guns increases violence and harm, and in order to reduce gun violence, we need to crack down on illegal guns, and have a timely and effective response to shooting notifications.”
The City of Oakland is experiencing an increase in the amount of guns shots fired. According to the Oakland Police Department’s ShotSpotter Activations Report, the Oakland Police Crime Analysis Division reported approximately 2,807 ShotSpottter Activations from gunshots fired in 2019. As of September 20, 2020, there have been approximately 4,104 ShotSpotter activations from guns fired. This number is a forty-six percent (46%) increase from the year prior, and that many gunshots don’t show up in 911 call statistics.
As of August 23, 2020, the Oakland Police Department Crime Analysis reported thirty-four (34%) percent increase in reported gunfire in Oakland. In 2019, there were 953 occurrences of gunfire. This year, 1,281 occurrences of gunfire were reported, with a quarter of the year still to be determined. In a single weekend from August 6th-9th, 2020, ten shootings were reported across the city, which resulted in five fatalities, many of the cases are unsolved, with the assailants remaining at-large.
Currently, there is also a grave need for an effective and robust gun tracing program to curb the amount of gun violence and reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets. Kaplan has been a consistent advocate for increased efforts around gun and shell tracing. She fought for the funding to acquire the gun and shell tracing equipment. She understands that gun tracing is essential to shutting down sources of illegal guns on Oakland’s streets.
In order to ensure that illegal guns can be tracked down and to deter gun crime, it will be important to have timely response on notifications of shootings, and more consistent tracing of guns and shell casings. Kaplan has requested information from OPD about the frequency of providing an immediate deployment in response to notifications of shootings, and about how often there is the ability to collect shell casings or other materials to help identify and shut down sources of illegal guns.
The goal is to make smart and effective choices about deployments, and timely response to urgent situations like armed robberies in progress. The recent choice by the Oakland Police Chief to order hundreds of Police Officers to stay downtown watching peaceful protesters was not the most effective and efficient use of law enforcement resources, while urgent needs for response and follow up on armed robberies was lacking. A better use of sworn personnel would have been to ensure presence in community and commercial corridors facing armed robberies throughout the city. A discussion about making gun violence a top law enforcement priority for the City of Oakland will help ensure that resources are distributed in a more effective and just manner.
Interview with Founder of Oakland’s Raided Mushroom Church, Dave Hodges
From YouTube Channel: September 19, 2020 at 06:08PM
ONN – On August 13th, 2020 Oakland Police Department illegally raided Zide Door aka The Church of Entheogenic Plants, aka the first and only “Mushroom Church.” in the nation. They called in the firefighters to cut through a large safe on the premises—during a city-wide crime spree—and allegedly seized $200,000+ in cannabis and psilocybin mushroom products. They made zero arrest and the club reopened 24 hours later.
We had a chance to talk with one of the founders of the Church, Dave Hodges, about what led up to the raid. He also shares with us his harrowing ordeal. And how the club was reopened a day later.
We also dive into why he founded a weed and mushroom church in the first place, his use plant-based religious sacraments, and his relatively new practice of taking massive doses of magic mushrooms—we’re talking 15, 20, 25, even 30 grams. That’s a lot of shrooms.
Hodges and Zide Door plan to sue OPD with a civil lawsuit in federal court based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. If they win—churches like this will be allowed to operate nationwide without the fear of being raided by local law enforcement.
You can help by supporting The Church’s GoFundMe:
https://ift.tt/3mGfbhe
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
ONN – Oakland Police Department Response To Question Of Officer Violating Code In Boogaloo Boys Problem
Oakland Police Department Response To Question Of Officer Violating Code In Boogaloo Boys Problem
The City Of Oakland released this statement and, in response to my blog post, sent it to me in the latest email thread I established – one that included the Mayor of Oakland and the Oakland City Council.
OPD:
The Oakland Police Department’s Departmental General Order C-1 is designed for regulations and specifications regarding uniforms, civilian clothing, and equipment for Police Department members, reserve officers and employees. This order outlines uniforms and appearance for police personnel and professional staff. C-1 does not dictate attire for an officer assigned to a specialized unit that involves undercover plain clothes operations. This is intentional for the undercover officer’s safety so the officer can dress in a manner that does not identify him or her as a police officer while they are undercover.
As stated in the attached message the concerns of the community have been shared with all Department plain clothes officers. Chief Manheimer and all members of the Oakland Police Department share community concerns when perceptions or references are made that would associate OPD with any extremist groups. The Department recognizes and understands the pain and suffering caused by such extremist groups who are intolerant and instill fear and hatred in our community. OPD stands with our community and will not tolerate any hate crime against anyone in our community.
Officer Johnna Watson
Public Information Officer
Office of the Chief of Police
Oakland Police Department
My response:
Hello,
I was about to, and will, post this, but the response is troubling. I was informed of, but have not seen, the written responses to this on Mark Zuckerberg’s site (and I say that way, because that’s what Facebook is and I know him). I would not have done this, and for one of many reasons, but paramount among them is this statement: “C-1 does not dictate attire for an officer assigned to a specialized unit that involves undercover plain clothes operations. This is intentional for the undercover officer’s safety so the officer can dress in a manner that does not identify him or her as a police officer while they are undercover.”
Johnna, I wish you would have called me as a sounding board before you wrote that. The main problem is that Oaklanders now, by the thousands did recognize the officer, and had zero idea he was undercover because he looked like an officer in uniform who decided to put on a type of Hawaiian shirt that the Boogaloo Boys wear.
Also, and I say this as one who has lived in Oakland since 1974, was a red carpet teenage greeter for the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1975, saw Oakland mature into a city that was proud to have black civic managers (many who were legendary), and myself came to just 8 NFL Owner votes of bringing the 2005 Super Bowl to Oakland. None of this is done without some respect for institutional memory and for protocol. This, the police constantly putting out statements, is such that Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris would have called you and Chief Manheimer into his office, and the conversation would not have been a good one. The simple rule: let the Mayor of Oakland talk – not you or the Chief of Police. This is out of line. It’s unraveling at a frightening rate of speed.
The Mayor of Oakland represents the community over you, yet both you and Chief Manheimer respond as if Mayor Schaaf does not exist. It’s not helping the Mayor. We have a Strong Mayor system for a reason – this is one of those reasons. Let the Mayor do her job and speak for the City of Oakland.
With much love and respect for you all. God bless.
Zennie
Note from Zennie62Media and Oakland News Now: this video-blog post demonstrates the full and live operation of the latest updated version of an experimental Zennie62Media , Inc. mobile media video-blogging system network that was launched June 2018. This is a major part of Zennie62Media , Inc.’s new and innovative approach to the production of news media. What we call “The Third Wave of Media”. The uploaded video is from a vlogger with the Zennie62 on YouTube Partner Channel, then uploaded to and formatted automatically at the Oakland News Now site and Zennie62-created and owned social media pages. The overall objective is smartphone-enabled, real-time, on the scene reporting of news, interviews, observations, and happenings anywhere in the World and within seconds and not hours. Now, news is reported with a smartphone: no heavy and expensive cameras or even a laptop are necessary. The secondary objective is faster, and very inexpensive media content news production and distribution. We have found there is a disconnect between post length and time to product and revenue generated. With this, the problem is far less, though by no means solved. Zennie62Media is constantly working to improve the system network coding and seeks interested content and media technology partners.
What’s going on with the Oakland Police Department and Oakland Police Interim Chief Susan Manheimer, that an officer would be allowed to wear, on duty, a shirt that many point to as in the style of the kind of Hawaiian Shirts worn by the racist violent Boogaloo Boys group? Moreover, does Susan Manheimer know that shirt she initially dismissed as a non-story because it was the kind of Hawaiian shirt one could by at Macy’s? (It wasn’t, and even though she took a photo to show the Tommy Bahama section at Macy, those pictures demonstrated that that style of shirt wasn’t there!)
And does Oakland Police Interim Chief Susan Manheimer know (and did anyone at OPD tell her) that the Boogaloo Boys-style Hawaiian shirts, not to mention Hawaiian shirts, are disallowed by the Oakland Police Department’s own code, which even specifically prohibits beach wear!? Consider that, in her email to an Oaklander, Manheimer herself never even raised that issue, yet more evidence to back the assertion of many, including this blogger, that she was simply covering for the Boogaloo Boys Hawaiian Shirt-wearing officer. Well, check this out, and thanks to an Oaklander on Facebook, who tipped me off to this information.
Here is the section of Oakland Police Department regulations that covers “civilian clothing worn by members while on-duty”, and is here below, here by link, with the full text section posted below:
B. On-Duty Civilian Clothing for Members
Civilian clothing worn by members while on-duty shall reflect professional
appearance, and shall be suitable for the safe and inconspicuous
performance of basic police tasks.
Civilian clothing shall be clean and in good repair. Members shall be guided
by the following minimum standards:
1. Male members shall wear a dress shirt and tie with a business suit or
a conservatively tailored sports coat and slacks. Shoes shall be of a
conservative style and color. Leather jackets or “cowboy” boots of
any style shall not be worn. For the purpose of this order, cowboy
boots are defined as any boots that have a high arch, a high heel,
unusually fancy stitching, or a pointed toe.
a. Male members shall not wear any insignia, emblem,
decoration, badge, pin, nose rings, and any other jewelry or
ornament except for conservative rings, tie bars, tie tacks, or
lapel pins.
b. Shoes shall have soles and heels of conservative height.
c. Commanders and supervisors may permit members to
remove their ties when assigned to duties which do not
involve public contact or where the tie would pose a safety
hazard.
2. Female members shall wear suits, dresses, skirts, or pants in designs
and colors suitable for business wear and of prevailing style, fit, and
length. All accessories (e.g. gloves, purse, shoes, hosiery, etc.) shall
be of conservative style and color.
a. Female members shall not wear any insignia, decoration,
emblem, badge, nose rings, jewelry or ornament except for
conservative rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, or
hair clasps.
b. Hair shall be simply and neatly groomed in a daytime style.
c. Proper foundation garments shall be worn at all times.
d. Use of cosmetics shall be minimal.
e. Shoes shall have a maximum heel height of 3″, and shall
have a back strap or full back. Spike heels and sport shoes
are not permitted.
3. Captains or higher rank may authorize or require any type of
clothing for an assignment in which approved civilian apparel would
be unsuitable for police purposes.
A Personal Appearance Waiver Form (TF-3382) shall be completed
and forwarded as specified in Part II, A, 4.
C. Casual Friday
Office personnel who are not required to wear uniforms shall have the
option of wearing business appropriate casual attire on Fridays. Casual
Friday attire shall only be acceptable on Fridays.
1. The following items shall be considered business appropriate casual
attire:
a. Sweaters
b. Button down shirts
c. Polo shirts
d. Cardigans
e. Slacks
f. Dockers
g. Skirts/dresses
2. The following items shall not be considered business appropriate
casual attire:
a. Shorts
b. Capri pants
c. T-shirts
d. Tight fitting spandex/lycra
e. Off the shoulder tops
f. Spaghetti or tank straps
g. Torn, frayed or cut clothing
h. Flip-flops or thongs
i. Athletic wear
j. Beach wear
k. Revealing or sheer clothing that exposes the bosom, back or
midriff
l. Clothing that bears sexually suggestive or profane symbol
m. Jeans or denim skirts
Pants shall be worn at ankle length and skirts/dresses at knee length
or longer.
3. The star, identification card, fully-loaded semi-automatic pistol and
one additional fully-loaded magazine, handcuffs and key, call box
key, and, as necessary, the protective vest, shall be carried or worn
by plainclothes members.
I also included this section on “member uniforms” to show that the officer was even out-of-compliance with this section!
III. MEMBER UNIFORMS
When designated as the uniform of the day, all members assigned to field duties
shall wear the same uniform. The uniform of the day shall be designated by the
Bureau of Field Operations Deputy Chief or designee. Refer to Part VI for
authorized uniform and equipment description and specifications.
A. The Dress Uniform (Class A)
1. Hat with shield, uniform jacket, trousers, belt, long sleeve shirt,
undershirt, insignia, tie, star, nameplate, white gloves, shoes, socks.
a. Motorcycle officers shall make the appropriate substitutions
of helmet, breeches, bow tie and boots.
b. The uniform jacket may not be worn without a tie. Pencils
and other objects shall not be placed in the outside pockets of
the uniform jacket.
c. Wearing of the uniform jacket with the short sleeve uniform
is prohibited.
2. Class A gun belt: Key ring with whistle, callbox key and handcuff
key, firearm, handcuffs and case, baton ring and short baton.
B. Long or Short Sleeve Uniform (Class B)
1. Hat with shield, trousers, belt, short sleeve shirt, black
undershirt,
insignia, star, nameplate, socks and boots.
2. Class B gun belt: Handcuff key, OC, Firearm, handcuffs and case,
radio holder, flashlight holder, baton ring, Asp (optional), magazine
pouch, Taser (shall be worn opposite of the firearm in either an
authorized belt or leg holster) and dump pouch (optional).
3. Motorcycle officers shall make the appropriate substitutions for
their
uniform.
4. All members shall have the option of wearing a dickey, turtleneck
sweater or mock turtleneck under the short sleeve shirt. If the
turtleneck is worn without a jacket, the sweater sleeves shall not
extend below the shirt sleeves.
5. Optional outerwear.
6. Motorcycle officers shall also have the option of wearing the leather
jacket.
7. The uniform hat may be worn at the discretion of the individual
officer having consideration for officer safety and the requirement
for identification, or at the direction of a supervisor or command
officer.
8. Watch Cap (optional)
Night shift personnel are authorized to wear the watch cap. Day
shift and swing shift personnel shall only wear the watch cap upon
approval by the Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Deputy Chief or
designee.
When wearing the watch cap, the insignia shall be visible and worn
centered on the forehead above the nose.
C. Field Utility Uniform (Class C)
Long sleeve or short sleeve utility shirt with name lettering, black
undershirt, trousers, belt, insignia, star, shoes, socks, and Class B gun belt.
1. Members assigned to routine field duties shall wear the utility
uniform only when designated as the uniform of the day by the
Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Deputy Chief or designee.
2. Members assigned to units outside of the BFO shall not wear utility
uniforms without the prior authorization from the appropriate
Bureau Deputy Chief or designee.
3. Bureau Deputy Chiefs or designee may authorize utility uniforms as
the uniform of the day, to include, but not limited to, the following
circumstances:
a. During inclement weather (to include hot or humid
conditions);
b. Special field projects;
c. Mobile field force mobilizations; or
d. Major Response Operations.
4. Members assigned to the following field units shall only wear the
utility uniform during their regular tour of duty, unless otherwise
directed by a higher ranking member:
a. Crime Reduction Team;
b. Canine Handlers*;
c. Police Evidence Technicians;
d. Patrol Rifle Officers;
e. Commercial Enforcement Unit;
f. Taxi Detail;
g. Abandon Auto;
h. Vehicle Abatement;
i. Dual-purpose motorcycles officers, when riding;
j. Marine Unit;
k. Alcohol Beverage Action Team;
l. Scofflaw; and
m. Helicopter Unit when not in their flight suit.
* Canine Handlers, when working with their police canine, are
authorized to wear the previous 5.11 utility uniform.
5. Optional outerwear.
6. Utility cap.
7. Watch Cap (optional)
Night shift personnel are authorized to wear the watch cap. Day
shift and swing shift personnel shall only wear the watch cap upon
approval by the Bureau of Field Operations (BFO) Deputy Chief or
designee.
When wearing the watch cap, the insignia shall be visible and worn
centered on the forehead above the nose.
D. Specialty Uniforms
1. Undercover, Plain Clothes or Task Force Uniform
a. The Tactical Assault Carrier (TAC) Vest shall only be worn
by members:
1) Working in an active undercover operation or related
task; or
2) Assigned to a plain clothes assignment where the
need to wear the vest is essential to complete a police
mission in a more timely manner.
Except for Tactical Team members, prior to wearing the TAC Vest,
all members shall attend a TAC Vest training class. All members
shall ensure their approved protective vest, as specified in DGO C-
04, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, is contained within the TAC Vest
before taking this equipment into the field.
b. The Undercover Plain Clothes or Task Force Uniform shall
consist of the:
1) TAC Vest and jeans or utility uniform pants; and
2) Class B gun belt.
2. Tactical Team Uniform
a. The Tactical Team uniform shall only be worn during
tactical team operations, training or other event as specified
by the Tactical Team Leader.
b. Mandatory safety equipment and other equipment approved
by the Tactical Team Leader.
c. TAC Vest (optional)
3. Helicopter Uniform
a. Helmet, as specified in DGO C-04, SAFETY EQUIPMENT
b. Flight suit.
c. Flight jacket and utility cap are optional.
d. Class B gun belt unless otherwise specified by Helicopter
Unit supervisor.
4. Bicycle Uniform
a. Helmet, as specified in DGO C-04.
b. Shirt, Pants, Shoes as specified in Part VI, D, 5.
c. Class B gun belt.
I am sending this to the Oakland Police Media and the Oakland City Council and the Oakland Police Commission for their information and response. Here’s the full text version: