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Council's Cop Recruiting Shortchanges Oakland
Two weeks after the historic March 7 "Enough Is Enough!" rally at City Hall, including presentation of more than 1,200 petition signatures, the city council shortchanged residents on the crucial issue of staffing up Oakland's half-a-police department.
The council allocated $2.4 million to step up recruiting efforts. By itself that sounds fine, but the council tied the hiring drive to a goal of reaching the currently authorized strength of 803 officers by Jan. 31, 2007. At least councilmember Larry Reid balked, saying as he pounded his fist on the table, "It ain't gonna happen. You're not being realistic." (Oakland Tribune, Mar. 22, 2006)
The silly deadline smacks of political maneuvering. Councilmember De La Fuente admitted as much, saying, "We have to make every effort. That's why we're allocating the resources, then at least we'll have the highest number we can by January." (San Francisco Chronicle, Mar. 23, 2006) De La Fuente and the other councilmembers also paved the way for another financial ripoff. Although they funded part of the recruiting from $8.5 million of extra revenue that City Hall has just discovered ("projected"), the council also took nearly a million dollars from the Measure Y fund. This dip violates the provisions of the measure. Oakland has about 700 officers now; Measure Y was sold with the commitment that general fund money would be used to bring OPD up to 739 officers. Only then would Measure Y taxes kick in for 63 more police to reach 802.
Why didn't the council fund the entire $2.4 million project from the $8.5 million surplus? It is a matter of priorities. The council still does not give public safety top priority.
Still No Commitment to 1,100 Officers
Instead of cheating on a million dollars here and there, the council's real job is to make the commitment and find the resources to provide Oakland's 400,000 residents with the minimum of 1,100 police officers they need.
Not one official has stepped up to the plate. Not one has insisted that City Hall simply provide public safety and basic infrastructure instead of wheeling and dealing our tax dollars into an endless series of political pork projects.
"Crime" has become a buzzword in the mayoral race, but none of the three viable candidates has done anything credible that would bring Oakland to at least 1,100 officers. No matter which mayoral candidate you settle on, the most important thing we can do now is fight the next parcel tax coming down the pike. The councilmembers call it a landscape and lighting assessment, but it is no more about street lights than Measure Y turned out to mean more police. Property owners will have the opportunity to vote No in a mail ballot this May and June. Send the council a message and make them come back with a budget that achieves public safety and basic infrastructure.
– March 22, 2006; updated March 23
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