Public Safety

By Nancy J. Nadel

Public Safety Must Be Our Top Priority

As a 27+year resident of West Oakland, I experience these problems first hand and have noticed and graphed the fluctuations in homicides with the unemployment rate. Every Oakland resident deserves to feel safe on the street and in our homes and neighborhoods. Our children and youth need safe school sites and additional programs that teach conflict resolution, anti-gang/anti-violence programs, drug abuse prevention and conflict resolution.

PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION PLAN I have long advocated a multi-faceted Public Safety Strategy that includes Enforcement/Police Presence, Prevention Programs for Youth, and Neighborhood Action. Working with District 3 stakeholders, I: Expanded funding for the CrimeStoppers Fund, police equipment and bicycles, and neighborhood street lighting. Installed traffic lights, speed bumps for safety.

Helped establish the Campbell Village Teen Center with a second West Oakland Teen Center on the way.

Co-Founded Restorative Justice for Youth which trains groups like Perata's Peacekeepers, teachers, and residents on conflict resolution.

Worked with the City Attorney to shut down blighted properties and address problem liquor stores.

My Public Safety Priorities include:

• Attaining authorized strength in the PD to increase the number of police officers patrolling our streets + and then evaluating whether that number is sufficient.
• Covering each beat with a community problem solving officer and a neighborhood services coordinator, bike and foot patrols.
• Continuing support of Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils to set priorities.
• Sending code enforcement to address criminal activity at specific properties.
• Expanding job and training programs, particularly for youth.
• Expanding after-school and community-based programs to keep kids out of trouble, encourage parent involvement, and teach non-violent conflict resolution.
• Supporting programs that control access to and the number of guns on the street. .