West Oakland Works

West Oakland BusinessAlert

Minutes from Meeting Held April 29, 2009 at SF Enterprises

Business Community Attendees
George Burtt (2500 Campbell/WOCA), Andy Comly (PS Print), Officer William Griffin (OPD), Tawfic Halaby (City of Oakland Engineering), Debbie Hauser (Bus Alert staff), Sue Howard (Earth Source Forest Products), Marcus Johnson (Amstutz Associates), Ray Kidd (WON), Officer Matt Komoda (OPD), Margot Lederer (CEDA/City of Oakland), Al Lozano (LSR), Tim Morse (Bay Alarm), Katie Murphy (Norcal Ambulance), Gary Proctor (PWA, KOCB), Lowell Rice (WOCA), Quincy Smith (PWA), Bob Tuck (Atlas Heating/WOCA), Zachary (Kinetic Steamworks)

In absence of Chair at today’s meeting, Margot Prado opened the meeting after self-introductions.

OPD officers reported a reduction in recent criminal activity in the West Oakland area, due in part to a slowdown in narcotics activity usually associated with street gangs, through surveillance operations that have focused on identifying sources, storage, transport, and distribution. Officers encouraged business owners to report all drug activity on OPD’s hotline or the non-emergency phone number, stating that the more calls received, the more attention will be paid to patterns that are identified. The same theory can be applied to illegal dumping activities. Resources will be allocated to areas where the most calls have been received over time. With many districts within the city demanding service, a concerted effort on the part of business owners to report criminal activity is required.

Officer Griffin responded to an inquiry about Measure Y community groups employed to counteract gang activity. There is such a group that engages gang members in an effort to quell violent situations. OPD deals with these groups on a limited basis, as well as local church pastors. OPD works on its own to identify gang members, from both national prison gangs and smaller local gangs. There is more gang activity in other parts of Oakland than in West Oakland.

Officer Griffin reported on the longstanding problem and constant challenge of metal pipe theft in abandoned buildings and homes. Several stings were conducted earlier in the year, and officers are called to identify metal being presented under questionable circumstances at recycling centers on a regular basis. A recent house fire was attributed to gas line pipe theft.

Officers described the difference between “anonymous” and “refused” calls into OPD and the usefulness of each. Anonymous calls are those received with no name, no phone number, and a request not to be contacted. A refused call includes a name and phone number, but requests no contact be made by OPD. OPD encourages callers to provide at least name and phone number, verifiable data that adds to the credibility of the call and what is being reported. If business owners are concerned about retaliation, a request can be made on a refused call not to be contacted by OPD. It is important on all calls to provide as much detail as possible, including clothing colors, i.e. “hoodie, jeans, red shoes.”

Officers described the difference between an incident report number and an RD (Report Document) number. OPD issues an incident number when called to a location. If it is determined that a crime has taken place, an RD number is then issued. If a business owner feels a crime has been committed, such as graffiti or illegal dumping, he/she should request that an RD number be generated so that the crime can be tracked. For example, reported graffiti without an RD number will not be tracked. Statistics are presented differently within OPD for incidents versus RDs. Incidents are not examined by investigators for crime analysis; RD reports are. Incident numbers are four digits, while RDs are six digits. OPD encourages business owners to obtain an RD number from officers at the scene of all crimes, no matter how small. Business owners are also encouraged to demand that photos of criminal activity, such as graffiti, be taken in order to document crime. Technicians are able to take photos that will be entered into the record.

Quincy Smith reported that illegal dumping is on the rise recently, especially after City furlough days. Business owners are encouraged to stay away from dumpers during criminal activity. Instead, contact OPD and OPW to respond and investigate. OPW continues to work with Operation Dignity on homeless issues. The agency is also working with local business owners to educate them about proper OPW contacts and response to dumping. With City budget cuts looming this summer, it is uncertain whether OPW will further reduce the number of staff who respond to and investigate illegal dumping.

Margot Prado and Tawfic Halaby laid out City of Oakland engineering maps for review, highlighting sidewalks, curbs & gutters, lighting, sanitary sewers and paving priorities. It is the role of City engineering staff to hire contractors to generate planning level cost estimates, map improvements by cost and color, and provide technical services that lead to reporting that outlines priorities and costs. Tawfic discussed the difficulties that the lack of funds presents to the Engineering Division. For example, $300 million is needed for paving, but only $7 million is available. An additional $4 million will most likely be available from federal stimulus, however the money is highly regulated in its use. The City of Oakland is only able to pave major commercial streets, and not residential areas, due to lack of available funding. Funds must be split between council districts, resulting in three to six blocks per district per year being paved.

Redevelopment funds can provide funding above and beyond what is available through OPW for infrastructure improvements, and it is hoped that West Oakland can tap into redevelopment funding to accomplish priority projects for the area.

George Burtt encouraged the development of a fluid mapping system for West Oakland that can be easily updated with changing infrastructure priorities. Margot reported that this is accomplished using a dynamic JS Layer that is overlaid on a static base map. Although the Business Services Division is lacking graphics personnel to produce such mapping, this could be accomplished through West Oakland Works, including a dynamic map on the website that would serve to keep local business owners informed about infrastructure improvements.

Improved street lighting is a priority for the West Oakland area. Business areas that are unoccupied during evening hours require bright lighting to discourage crime. George reported that WOPAC may be a source of funding for street lighting improvements, leaving an improved storm drain system and improved pavement at rail crossings as the next priorities for the area. A working relationship with railroad companies that have track in the area was cultivated last year by Lowell Rice. These efforts should be ramped up again.

Tim Morse reported that his efforts to engage West Oakland businesses and obtain signed contracts for private security services as part of a pilot safety and security program is near completion. Eight contracts have so far been signed, with the goal being 11 businesses at $200/each to begin the pilot program.

Gary Proctor of PWA addressed concerns expressed in regards to what is seen as lackadaisical street sweeping services. Current routes may be too large to do the job properly, resulting in sweepers racing through the area and leaving trash strewn on the street. A system is already in place for street sweepers to report illegal dumping to the appropriate department. However, the staff of eight investigators has been reduced to four, citywide. Gary will report the group’s concerns about street sweeping services to supervisors at the next PWA meeting.