"Safety First" group defames Oakland activist

As a thousand people sign the "Enough Is Enough!" petition demanding top priority in Oakland for public safety, some Oakland residents received a broadcast email that said in part, "Safety First respects sound ideas for improving public safety, and rejects the distribution of mis-information and personal attacks. ... Safety First is not affiliated with Charles Pine or Oakland Residents for Peaceful Neighborhoods (ORPN)." (March 6, 2006)

The email implies that ORPN distributed misinformation, but the message does not specify the alleged error(s).

The ORPN member, Charles Pine, was also a member of Safety First and on its internal email list until this past weekend. He was removed and ousted without any notification, let alone dialog. At a recent Safety First meeting, member Mark Daly said in passing that the ORPN website you are now reading has "inaccuracies." Challenged to cite one material error, he offered none. In an email after the meeting, he questioned the police staffing figures we publish. He was immediately told the source (OPD personnel reports).

It is especially sad that this attack comes on the eve of the March 7 rally. ORPN supports this rally, helped build it, and always made it clear that we are only one of the many groups that are uniting to send a clear message to City Hall. Only schemers would say that someone must agree with every assertion on ORPN in order to support the "Enough Is Enough!" petition and the March 7 rally.

Safety First had done some good work. It is sad that the group or its leaders would rush into an undemocratic, divisive attack. The ORPN website infuriates City Hall insiders. As everyone knows, people all over Oakland are speaking out to demand peaceful neighborhoods. Residents refuse to accept any more excuses. ORPN will continue to serve as your website for vital information about how City Hall fails to make public safety top priority. If and when City Hall takes meaningful action to remedy the understaffing of the police department, ORPN will be happy to report that, too. Small-minded gossipers only diminish themselves. Let the movement for peaceful neighborhoods grow!

The ORPN website is accurate. Any rational person with the ability to do even minimal fact-checking would know that. Therefore it is divisive, as our Oakland politicians and their allies seem to dislike people who do not take their statements at face value.
– Kurt

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(Andy Friend, one of the key organizers of the "Enough Is Enough!" petition and March 7 rally, sent a broadcast email. After repeating that ORPN is only one of the groups that supported the petition and rally, he goes on:)

I have and will continue to refer people to the ORPN site for information. To this point, I have not been made aware of any specific factual errors on this site. I am certainly aware that the site has taken editorial liberties. This is the case for ANY organization or media. I personally believe the site's "inflammatory" rhetoric is necessary since it takes not only a fire, but a flame thrower to motivate the Oakland public to show up in significant numbers.

ORPN and Mr. Pine played a significant role in achieving our success last night. I thank him for his involvement.

– Andy Friend, Board member and cofounder of West Street Watch

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The comments about Charlie Pine in this post are dismaying. He's one of the few who have been consistent in his positions and also right.
– Margurite

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Hannah,
Thank you for speaking out in support of Charles Pine.
He is a good guy and he has been very active in trying to reduce crime in his neighborhood.
While he may express strong opinions and may occasionally be outspoken, his factual information is very accurate.
Also, he doesn't resort to name calling when he cannot refute the facts presented, as some of his detractors have.
– Alan

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I was a member of the organizing committee for the Rally. ORPN and Mr. Pine played a significant role in achieving our success in gaining signers of the petition and in planning for the Rally. While he may express strong opinions and may occasionally be outspoken, his factual information is very accurate.
– Robert Swain, former member of Gaskill-Lowell Neighborhood Network

Incident Concludes

It appears Safety First will not retract its baseless charge that Oakland Residents for Peaceful Neighborhoods (ORPN) distributes misinformation. Nonetheless, ORPN is choosing to leave the matter without further controversy. Safety First remains an ally, even though a more distant one, in the struggle for peaceful neighborhoods.

While conflict with allies is never to be welcomed, this regrettable incident actually had a good effect. Contrary to the aim of one or two mischief-makers and confirmed supporters of this or that politician, events established that ORPN is a reliable source of information about public safety in Oakland. We are gratified by the outpouring of support.