Oakland, CA – In a 6-2 vote, this evening the Council voted to fund an additional police academy, following extensive outreach from residents across the city, including a large number from East Oakland. This decision comes only a few months after the Council’s initial rejection of a cost-neutral proposal from Councilmember Taylor to move a third academy to this fiscal year, while prioritizing any unanticipated revenue to fund a fifth academy next year.
Representing an area disproportionately impacted by gun violence, armed robberies and sideshows, Councilmember Taylor greatly appreciates the shift in his colleagues’ previous position to vote for these additional resources.
“The circumstances of the residents I represent in East Oakland have not changed since the Council rejected our call for a comprehensive public safety response in June and no new information has been presented that was not previously available. From the beginning, I have been consistent in my advocacy for investments throughout the public safety ecosystem, which includes both violence prevention and response” said Councilmember Taylor “The likelihood of OPD staffing levels dropping below 678, and threatening Measure Z (violence prevention) funding was just as clear in June as it is today.”
Nevertheless, Councilmember Taylor is glad to have most of the Council on board. He is also incredibly grateful for the advocacy and partnership of East Oakland residents, who continue to demand additional resources to keep their neighborhoods safe.
As the City looks to reimagine its public safety system to address current crime levels and its root causes, while also ensuring constitutional policing from OPD officers, centering the voices of those most impacted continues be critical.
When reflecting upon Oakland’s 100th homicide this year, Councilmember Taylor shared, “It is on all of us to do more. Our neighbors, loved ones, and children are dying. We need all hands-on deck.”