Pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order N-29-20, all members of the City Council as well as the City Administrator, City Attorney and City Clerk will join the meeting via phone/video conference and no teleconference locations are required.
I am an Oakland resident that lives in District 4 and I call on you to meaningfully reduce OPD's funding by AT LEAST 50%. It is IMPERATIVE that you prioritize saving and expanding essential investments in our communities.
OPD consumes 44% of Oakland's General Fund, and this does nothing but further harm low-income communities of color. I agree with Council Member Bas in that we need to de-invest in OPD and further invest in the "fundamental needs of every community member."
By reducing the OPD budget, we could unfreeze hiring in other sectors, restore recreation, arts and vocational training programs. We must further end the abuse of our city's coffers by placing strict limits and enforce legislation on overtime pay and the use of general fund money to pay out settlements resulting from police misconduct. It also goes without saying that MEASURE Q MONEY HAS NO PLACE TO FUND THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS.
Residents are demanding accountability. "8 can't wait" (reform) is NOT ENOUGH.
As a concerned Oakland resident, I demand that Oakland City Council take immediate action by:
1) Reducing the OPD budget by ~50% ($150 million). For too long the OPD has taken an enormous share of the city's general fund that could actually be used to provide resources and programs that could help city residents.
2) Invest that $150 million into public services that include housing, jobs, youth programs, restorative justice programs, and mental health services to actually improve the quality of life of Oakland communities.
3) Reject unauthorized overtime payments to OPD, which has historically overspent their overtime budget. Why is it that police are paid double, triple, or a factor of ten more than our school teachers? To this end, I also demand that you advocate for OUSD to terminate their police contracts and eliminate school police.
4) Cancel the California Highway Patrol's (CHP's) contract and remove them from the City of Oakland permanently.
I am an Oakland resident that lives in District 4 and I call on you to meaningfully reduce OPD's funding by AT LEAST 50%. It is IMPERATIVE that you prioritize saving and expanding essential investments in our communities.
OPD consumes 44% of Oakland's General Fund, and this does nothing but further harm low-income communities of color. I agree with Council Member Bas in that we need to de-invest in OPD and further invest in the "fundamental needs of every community member."
By reducing the OPD budget, we could unfreeze hiring in other sectors, restore recreation, arts and vocational training programs. We must further end the abuse of our city's coffers by placing strict limits and enforce legislation on overtime pay and the use of general fund money to pay out settlements resulting from police misconduct. It also goes without saying that MEASURE Q MONEY HAS NO PLACE TO FUND THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS.
Residents are demanding accountability. "8 can't wait" (reform) is NOT ENOUGH.
As a concerned Oakland resident, I demand that Oakland City Council take immediate action by:
1) Reducing the OPD budget by ~50% ($150 million). For too long the OPD has taken an enormous share of the city's general fund that could actually be used to provide resources and programs that could help city residents.
2) Invest that $150 million into public services that include housing, jobs, youth programs, restorative justice programs, and mental health services to actually improve the quality of life of Oakland communities.
3) Reject unauthorized overtime payments to OPD, which has historically overspent their overtime budget. Why is it that police are paid double, triple, or a factor of ten more than our school teachers? To this end, I also demand that you advocate for OUSD to terminate their police contracts and eliminate school police.
4) Cancel the California Highway Patrol's (CHP's) contract and remove them from the City of Oakland permanently.