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Policing

Twenty years under watch: will Oakland police finally exit federal oversight this year?
A court hearing is scheduled for July. The federal monitor has used ambiguous evaluation criteria and has not issued a mandatory quarterly report…
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Rajni Mandal
3
Oakland releases police staffing study—it says a minimum of 877 officers are needed
After denying a public records request, the city reversed course and released the full report
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Tim Gardner
7
Oakland is withholding a 2024 police staffing study that cost residents $310,000
The 300-page study says Oakland needs 805 sworn police officers, but the city won’t release it, claiming exemption under the California Public Records…
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Tim Gardner
9
“Our officers have been conditioned to do as little as possible—to stay out of trouble”
Zealous investigations of Oakland police officers have created a downward spiral of morale and performance
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Rajni Mandal
12
Oakland's MACRO missed all of its pilot project goals—so the city expanded it
MACRO was pitched as a panacea that would “reimagine” policing, save money, and improve lives. Instead, it cost the city about $10M during a fiscal…
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Tim Gardner
16
Oakland’s police chief proposes to restore police pursuit powers, and the police commission pushes back
Commission avoids comment on the proposed changes, instead recommending additional police reporting, operational requirements, and oversight
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Rajni Mandal
5
Detroit’s ShotStoppers violence intervention program pays for outcomes—and it works
Six community-based organizations helped to reduce homicides and shootings by 37% to 83% in their focus zones—almost double the reduction elsewhere in…
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James Donatell
Governor Newsom gives Oakland an ultimatum on policing
Newsom took aim at the Oakland Police Commission who recently refused a city council directive to update the police pursuit policy
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Rajni Mandal
17
Oakland's city employee counts show a dramatic shift in service priorities over five years
Public safety staff declined by 206 employees (-12%), and other departments added 336 employees (+13%). Police are slated to bear the majority of…
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Tim Gardner
21
Oakland’s policies undermine police ability to deter crime
Frequent cuts to the number of police in recent years have adversely impacted Oakland’s ability to take advantage of a major benefit to…
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Jacob Rukin
12
Oakland’s crime data mess: How politicians are playing shell games with public safety
Cherry-picked stats and untested reforms have left Oakland’s public safety in disarray.
 • 
Tim Gardner
10
Oakland 2024 crime trends are mixed, but CHP efforts are delivering significant impact
Compared to 2023, homicides and firearm assaults are down 10-20%, but residential robberies have doubled. For other crimes, the data is still unclear.
 • 
Tim Gardner
5
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