News

Thanks to the $1.6 million grant the City of Oakland received earlier this year from the Bureau of Cannabis Control, our office is excited to announce three new Equity Program initiatives.

Dispensary Permit Application

Today, May 22, 2020 the City Clerk held a public drawing to select qualified individuals and businesses to be eligible for four (4) new cannabis dispensary permits made available specifically to equity applicants. Those selected were Cisco Negoescu, EFFET, LLC, Garren Poole and Shuai Yang.

Oakland Public Works (OPW) announced today that after several weeks of diminished capacity to clean Oakland’s streets and sidewalks, the department is restoring and reinforcing clean-up work with new support and returning staff. The City asks that community members help identify new or returned hot-spot areas by continuing to report illegal dumping to OAK311, and make full use of available trash services as part of the ongoing Oaktown PROUD community campaign to reduce illegal dumping in Oakland.

The City has ramped up its food distribution effort and is pleased to announce an expansion of the Great Plates Delivered program.

$625,000 is available for direct grants to artists, and cultural and nonprofit arts workers; Deadline to apply June 5

Passing along updates regarding the upcoming public drawing for four equity dispensary permits this Friday, May 22nd.

Orders Allow Curbside, Storefront Pick Up from Retail Outlets; Manufacturing; Warehouses; and Certain Highly Regulated Vehicle-Based Gatherings

The City of Oakland announced Monday a partnership with Allen Temple Baptist Church and the emergency relief nonprofit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to open a new COVID-19 community-based testing site (CBTS) in East Oakland. Residents can contact OAK311 with questions about testing at City-partnered sites. For information dial 311 (or 510-615-5566) or go online to www.oaklandca.gov/testing.

As part of our dedication to providing equitable public service, On May 16, 2020, at 5:39 p.m. OPD officers were patrolling in the 1600 block of Wood Street, when they came upon a vehicle believed to be stolen. The patrol car’s computer database alerted the Officer of a “possibly stolen property." History has informed us that stolen vehicles can be used in connection with other serious crimes.

The Oakland Police Department has taken actions to measure the presence of internal disparities. The Department is unique in conducting this study. We are committed to working toward equitable outcomes and ensuring policies and practices safeguard against bias and disparate treatment internally and within our community based on race and gender. This is paramount to maintaining trust within all of our employee groups, and credibility within the communities we serve.