Police Commission and Public Safety update - Week of Nov 10, 2025
Staff
11/10/20252 min read
Hi everybody
The next few weeks have several important meetings with regards to Public Safety - please participate! See below for updates, upcoming meetings and other news.
Please share and sign the community petition to end the NSA! We need just a little over 200 more signatures in 2 weeks to reach our goal of 1,000! Special thanks to all of you who helped out at last Saturday's Farmers Market.
REJECTED POLICE COMMISSIONERS JEOPARDIZE NSA COMPLIANCE
The commission released their agenda for their upcoming meeting (see below) and it includes the draft of the commission's statement to the federal judge in charge of the NSA. This statement will be included in the packet that is submitted prior to the next case conference (December 9 at 3:30pm).
Notable quotes are here. This statement wrongly accuses the Chief, criticizes the city for not supporting the outgoing commissioners, blames the city for allowing harassment of commissioners, threatens to delay the search for a new police chief, and states that OPD does not trust oversight. The statement is authored by Commissioners Garcia-Acosta and Farmer, who were not reappointed by City Council, and appears to be retribution for Council's decision.
I've sent a letter to the Mayor, Council and City Attorney. Please feel free to use/edit and send your own.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Police Commission meeting
Thursday, November 13, 6:30pm, Hearing Room 2, City Hall
The Commission will be voting on their review of OPD's militarized equipment policy and request for new equipment (and is rejecting the Bearcat and rifles, pending Council approval). They will also vote on their NSA statement (see above) and finalizing a preliminary draft of their strategic plan.
Submit EComments here for IV. Open Forum, V. Militarized Equipment Report, VI. NSA Statement. My EComments are here.
Public Safety Committee meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 6pm, Council Chambers, City Hall
OPD's Community Camera Policy and contract with Flock will be presented to the committee. Please email your Councilmember if you haven't yet. I'll send meeting information next week once it's finalized.
IN THE NEWS
Chamber of Commerce survey - A survey last month of over 600 Oaklanders showed improved perception of crime and safety, and widespread support for increased police staffing and surveillance cameras.
Fruitvale district asks for city support due to crime
MORE EVENTS
Charter reform conversations with Mayor Lee
Multiple dates, RSVP here
Mayor Lee and her Charter Reform Working Group will be having several meetings in the community to talk about reforming Oakland's government structure. Learn about the "strong-mayor" system and "council-manager" system and what may be on the ballot in the spring. Check out this news report or sign up for updates from the Oakland Charter Reform Project.
Interstate 580 Truck Access Study Community Meeting
Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 - 8pm, over Zoom
Did you know that CalTrans is conducting a study to determine the impacts of removing the truck restrictions on I-580? This may increase truck traffic on other highways, such as 13 and 24. See here for more information. Join the mailing list here.
