Oakland Report

Oakland Report

Home
Radar
Analysis
Perspectives
Oakland Budget
Donate
Archive
About

Perspectives

Oakland is withholding a 2024 police staffing study that cost residents $310,000
The 300-page study says Oakland needs 805 sworn police officers, but the city won’t release it, claiming exemption under the California Public Records…
 • 
Tim Gardner
9
“Our officers have been conditioned to do as little as possible—to stay out of trouble”
Zealous investigations of Oakland police officers have created a downward spiral of morale and performance
 • 
Rajni Mandal
12
Oakland's MACRO missed all of its pilot project goals—so the city expanded it
MACRO was pitched as a panacea that would “reimagine” policing, save money, and improve lives. Instead, it cost the city about $10M during a fiscal…
 • 
Tim Gardner
16
Oakland Police Department can’t escape oversight—one man stands in the way
Federal monitor Robert Warshaw has a long history of exploiting distressed cities for personal financial gain. Is he doing it to Oakland?
 • 
Sanjana Friedman
39
Oakland City Council used illegal votes to change city ordinances
In December, the city council relied on tie-breaking votes from recalled mayor Sheng Thao, a violation of city and state law. A lawsuit may be filed…
 • 
Brenda Harbin-Forte (Ret.)
 and 
Seneca Scott
8
Detroit’s ShotStoppers violence intervention program pays for outcomes—and it works
Six community-based organizations helped to reduce homicides and shootings by 37% to 83% in their focus zones—almost double the reduction elsewhere in…
 • 
James Donatell
Governor Newsom gives Oakland an ultimatum on policing
Newsom took aim at the Oakland Police Commission who recently refused a city council directive to update the police pursuit policy
 • 
Rajni Mandal
17
PODCAST: Oakland leaders perpetuate misinformation to justify public safety cuts
Oakland's council, city administration, and labor leadership are locked in a game of misinformation to advance their narrow interests. It may result in…
 • 
Oakland Report
4
9:08
Oakland leaders perpetuate misinformation to justify public safety cuts
Oakland's council, city administration, and labor leadership are locked in a game of misinformation to advance their narrow interests. It may result in…
 • 
Tim Gardner
45
“If we do not change course, we will be roughly $115 million negative. We have already breached into our emergency reserve.”
Transcript of Budget Administrator Bradley Johnson’s remarks at Oakland City Council
 • 
Oakland Report
13
12:38
PODCAST: We can balance Oakland’s budget without selling the future
Seven actions could save the city $200M per year without wage cuts, pension cuts, selling city assets, or gutting public safety
 • 
Oakland Report
7:46
We can balance Oakland’s budget without selling the future
Seven actions could save the city $200M per year without wage cuts, pension cuts, selling city assets, or gutting public safety
 • 
Tim Gardner
28
© 2025 Oakland Report
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture