FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -July 26th, 2021
Press Contact:
Brandon Harami, Council Aide
bharami@Oaklanca.gov,
Oakland, California - Councilmember Sheng Thao, working with fellow Councilmembers, community leaders, and City Staff, won public safety investments for Oakland Monday afternoon, including investments that align with the City’s reimagining public safety goals. The City Council unanimously approved her budget amendments, which included investments in:
Traffic Calming and Sideshow Prevention
Faster 911 Response
Restoring Foot Patrol officers in business corridors during the holiday season
Business District Ambassadors
Adding Public Restrooms near homeless encampments
Investments to job training and resources
Councilmember Sheng Thao’s comments:
“My top priority is public safety, which means addressing violent crime, street safety, poverty, and homelessness. These budget amendments invest in our community and increase our Police Department’s ability to prevent and respond to violent crimes,” said Councilmember Sheng Thao, “These amendments will also protect our business corridors so Oaklanders can feel safe while they shop, and in turn, invest in our Oakland businesses.”
From Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong:
“I would like to thank Oakland City Council Member Sheng Thao and other Council Members for their vote and support with additional funding. These funds will provide walking officers in our business districts across the city during this holiday season. The funds allow us to restore much needed public safety services, walking officers, while our community and visitors shop across our city. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched many of our vulnerable communities and businesses; we must not let crime be the driver of this holiday season, we will have walking officers to ensure community safety. “
Councilmember Thao’s amendments included direct investments in West, Central, and East Oakland, including West Oakland Community Centers, Central Oakland traffic safety, and Oakland 911 response.
“These amendments also help address decades of divestment from our BIPOC communities in East Oakland. By bringing investments into street safety, beautification, and city services. It is important that we stay committed to equity for East Oakland. Our office made a point to work with Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Councilmembers Treva Reid and Loren Taylor to bring these amendments forward and I thank them for their strong partnership in this work.”
These amendments were approved unanimously by the Oakland City Council as the final step in the fiscal year ‘21-‘23 two year budget process. You can find a copy of the final amendments here.
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Councilmember SHENG THAO was elected in 2018, and is the first Hmong American Councilwoman elected in the State of California. THAO was voted by her colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore in January 2021. THAO is also one of Oakland’s representatives at the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and the President of the API Caucus at the League of CA Cities.