Government
In the face of mounting political pressure, the Oakland City Council reversed course Tuesday and voted in favor of a November ballot measure that would beef up the Public Ethics Commission. Citing Oakland’s substantial budget shortfall, the council had previously turned down a proposal that includes a slate of reforms meant to modernize the city’s watchdog agency and give it more investigative muscle. Just under two weeks later, Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Rebecca Kaplan changed their minds. Fife, who called…
In the chaotic aftermath of last Wednesday’s mass shooting near Lake Merritt, the Oakland Police Department overcounted the number of gunshot victims associated with the incident. The reason, a separate and nearly simultaneous double shooting. Initial reports said there were 15 gunshot victims who were transported to the hospital from the Lake Merritt area. But police have since determined that one of those victims was wounded less than 30 minutes later in a double shooting in the Bella Vista neighborhood….
Facing mounting public pressure to address last week’s FBI raid of her home, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao took a defiant tone at a news conference Monday, saying she is not the target of the investigation and questioning its timing with the campaign to have her recalled. Reading from a prepared 10-minute statement at City Hall, Thao said in a voice shaking with emotion, “This wouldn’t have gone down the way it did if I was rich.” She said a handful…
The FBI’s San Francisco office raided embattled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s home in the Oakland hills Thursday morning, carting off several bags and boxes. Hours later, the mayor — who will be up for recall in the November election — had yet to address the raid. No one answered the bell at her house on Maiden Lane. Her office referred questions to the FBI. It’s unclear what the FBI was searching for. The San Francisco office said only, “The FBI…
Sarpreet Oberoi has been to various In-N-Out Burger locations in the Bay Area over the past eight years and found news that the Oakport outlet was closing because of crime “saddening.” He believes it’s a good spot for a fast food company, with plentiful parking, lots of customers, and a vibrant retail corridor. But it’s law and order that matters, he said. Major chain businesses are leaving or reducing operations in Oakland due to crime. However, small business owners are…
Alameda County voters will be asked in March to change recall election rules, which has the campaign to oust District Attorney Pamela Price — as well as those opposed to a recall — calling foul. In July, less than a year into Price’s tenure, a group of residents and business owners launched a recall campaign, citing concerns about her being soft on serious crime. In the months since, that effort has intensified. The group behind the recall — Save Alameda…
Oakland is considering changes to its Police Commission that would impact how the group trains and chooses its members. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will vote on the legislation Dec. 12 before it can go to the full council for final approval. Introduced by Councilmembers Dan Kalb and Kevin Jenkins, the legislation would expand the eligibility for applicants to join the commission by revising the commission’s conflict of interest rules and further define their roles. Oakland’s new rules would…
California and cities in the Bay Area have led the country against plastic pollution: A series of laws and ordinances have already banned Styrofoam and restricted plastic bags and plastic straws. The next items on the chopping block are single-use plastic foodware — things like cutlery, cups, lids, stirrers, plates, and doggie bags. On Dec. 19, Oakland City Council will vote on the Reusable Foodware and Litter Reduction Ordinance, which would ban these items from local eateries and large events. …
Oakland City Council voted unanimously on Monday to support congressional and worldwide calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of all hostages. “I reject the fact that Oakland is not united,” said Councimember Carroll Fife before the resolution passed. “We stand together on what counts when it counts.” The resolution, introduced by Fife, evokes the city’s official motto “Love Life” to emphasize the need to protect life and stand united against violence. At the meeting, Fife said…