West Oakland BusinessAlert

Attendees
Donald Brooks (KOCB), George Burtt (WOCA), Roberto Costa (CEDA), Debbie Hauser (Staff), Jabari Herbert (CSG, LLC), Michael Herling (Consolidated Cleaning Services), Nick Holmberg (Bay Alarm), Marcus Johnson (Amstutz Associates), Ray Kidd (WON), Steve Lowe (WOCA), Reginald McKinley (ABC Security Service), Tim Morse (Bay Alarm), Ellen Parkinson (Parkinson Enterprises), Margot Lederer Prado (Bus. Dev. Services); OPD Officers Komoda, Moore; Special Guest Speaker Captain Anthony Toribio, OPD

Discussion with Captain Anthony Toribio, Area 1 Commander
Captain Toribio provided an update on OPD activities and crime trends for the area. Area

1 encompasses all of West Oakland, from Lake Merritt to the Berkeley border. The Department was successful in 2009 in reducing overall crime in Oakland by 11%, with eight fewer homicides over 2008, 30 fewer shootings, an 11% reduction in auto burglaries, and a 19% drop in carjackings. Burglary stats remained the same and robberies increased over 2008 figures. There were 28 homicides in West Oakland last year. Captain Toribio outlined major strategies OPD has undertaken moving forward in 2010: 1. The implementation of a civil injunction program to be imposed on gang members. Similar to a stay away order, a civil injunction would prevent the congregation of known gang members at parks and other public places, and individuals may be arrested for doing so. In the first quarter of 2010, OPD is focused on quelling gang activity in the Ghost Town area, Beat 6, the San Pablo, to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, to 45th triangle. Proactive enforcement involves active surveillance where Ghost Town and Acorn gangs congregate. Local robberies and other crime can be tied to this gang activity in the area.

2. Implementation of the “Forensic Logic” data mining program that will analyze, link and map 911 dispatch system calls. This new technology will enable the identification of links, patterns and trends related to criminals and crime.

3. A move away from 3/12 shifts to 4/10 shifts, with added patrols in the evening hours when more crime occurs throughout the city. Staffing levels are down from 803 officers last year to 778 sworn officers this year, due to attrition and other factors.

4. Analysis of internal systems, including deployment planning. Even without the opportunity to conduct a police academy until next year, the goal is to get more officers on the street now with limited available staff.

Area 1 will lose one Crime Reduction Team due to budget cuts this year however no cuts in PSO staffing for the area will occur. OPD is also looking at cuts to its foot patrol program. Budget issues are causing the department to downsize, with $11 million to be cut. Chief Batts has appeared before Council to report on the implications of potential budget cuts.

Captain Toribio encouraged citizens to be vigilant in watching their surroundings. It was learned through recent dialogue between OPD and 10 robbery suspects that victims are targeted when their guard is down. Robbers stationed on bikes or in cars wait for victims who are not aware of their surroundings. Cell phones, iPods and purses containing laptops are easy targets for theft. OPD officers generally see two types of crimes occurring out on the street, violent rat pack style assaults involving several young adults on foot, or criminals with guns targeting individuals from vehicles.

Criminals are keenly aware of OPD patterns and activities, using modern technology to communicate with each other, including cell phones, texting, and My Space sites to facilitate crime and share information. OPD is working to better cultivate relationships with informants who can be used to gain information on higher level gang leaders who usually reside outside of Oakland. Developing a base of informants takes time and patience.

It would be advantageous for communication between the various safety and security groups to improve so that all groups share resources and information amongst themselves. Ellen stated her concern to Captain Toribio that the various area groups, including residential neighborhood watch, NCPC’s and commercial business alert, are all separate, without knowledge of each others’ issues. Bringing each group together for a quarterly meeting would enhance communication. A recent attempted rape in the area was made known at residential group meetings however the business community should also be made aware, as crime can happen anywhere. Holding a quarterly combined meeting will be considered, as encouraged by the chair and Cpt. Toribio. The Captain also encourages the reporting of all crime so that beat officers know what to look out for, as there is a significant underreporting of crime in the city. All reports are reviewed and trends are identified. One’s name is not required to call in a report, only a detailed description of the crime.

PSO’s are charged with walking the beat 10 hours a week. Maintaining this level of service is challenging due to staff cuts. PSO’s tend to work to resolve issues emanating from NCPC meetings only. Cpt. Toribio encourages partnership between commercial business alert and NCPCs to get quality of life issues addressed quickly. PSO’s have their plate full already and are most likely unable to attend business alert meetings on a regular basis, due to their heavy workload that includes liaison with local schools and other beat projects.

Patrol officers have been directed to drive their beat in its entirety every two weeks, not only to get to know the culture of the neighborhoods they serve but also to better know the street layout and driving routes in case a vehicle chase is necessary at some point.

OPD does not currently have the manpower to monitor surveillance cameras. OPD takes a neutral position on the use of cameras to deter crime, since there is no capacity to monitor. Cpt. Toribio encouraged self-monitoring of private cameras and the reporting of any crimes captured, but OPD’s monitoring of cameras is not feasible at this time.

Tour of West
Oakland Rail Margot Prado recently toured West Oakland rail tracks with Union Pacific and City of Oakland staff. The clean up of trash as well as safety and security concerns were addressed during the tour that examined tracks in West Oakland, Jack London Square, and East Oakland. Vacating rail lines in West Oakland is not a topic discussed during the tour with Andy Perez, who represented UP, the tour focusing instead on general blight conditions. Surrounding “stub” streets to tracks were also evaluated. George Burtt suggested that a follow-up meeting with Andy Perez would be appropriate to ask questions related to budget for vacating rail.

Other Business
Margot Prado met with Tom McCoy and Andy Getz recently to seek their input about needed West Oakland infrastructure improvements, in support of the West Oakland infrastructure study now underway. She will work to consolidate their feedback into a one-page checklist for distribution. Andy’s general input is to remain with basic infrastructure improvements needed, when allocating funding, as opposed to “frill” type improvements.

The concept of holding a meeting that includes other watch groups in Oakland was discussed. A town hall type setting with participation by all West Oakland groups was suggested in order to have a good turnout and maximize communication. NCPC leaders would most likely be the appropriate staff to coordinate such a meeting, and it was suggested that the town hall also include Councilmember Nancy Nadel. Several possible venues were discussed, including nearby schools and senior center. Generating a pre-planned and focused agenda will be prudent to keep such a meeting organized. The end of February and the month of March were suggested as good timing to hold the meeting. Margot suggested that data collected from CEDA’s recently launched commercial survey also be a component of the meeting.

Roberto Costa of CEDA reviewed the new format of the monthly BusinessAlert agenda that includes updated Area 1 NCPC and OPW contact information as well as a meeting calendar for 2010. Roberto’s goal is to invite a different guest speaker each month who will keep the group informed on topics of importance to Area 1 businesses, including blight, crime and other safety and security issues. Roberto reviewed the features of the Neighborhood Project Initiative (NPI) community grant program offered by CEDA. The program supports blight reduction and beautification efforts through one-time, small-scale community-initiated physical improvement grants that have no other source of funding. Projects must be located within the West Oakland redevelopment project area boundaries and meet particular criteria. Examples of funded projects include awnings, planters, trees, banners, and street signage. The deadline for application submission is March 30th. For more information, contact Hui-Chang Li at (510) 238-6239.

Chair encouraged the start of West Oakland BusinessAlert meetings promptly at 3:00 p.m. so that meetings will end on time at 5:00 p.m. and guest speakers are not kept waiting.