News from                                                  

Office of the Mayor

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  Contact:       Karen Boyd

January 15, 2009                                                     (510) 449-4401

                                                                                kboyd@oaklandnet.com

 

 

Mayor Dellums Announces Three-Point Plan to Address Downtown Security Concerns Following Meeting with Oakland Business Leaders

 

Oakland, CA — Mayor Ron Dellums met with a group of downtown business leaders, property managers and small business owners in a roundtable forum today to assess the damage from last night’s outbreak of vandalism and discuss how the City of Oakland can assist businesses in their immediate recovery efforts as well as address the longer term public safety needs in Oakland business corridors.

 

“I am deeply saddened that a small group of people bent on destruction chose to trash downtown Oakland last night,” said Mayor Dellums. “The senseless vandalism followed a well organized protest where people came together in peace and solidarity to express their grief, outrage and collective demand for justice, and an end to the violence that has claimed the lives of so many young men of color, most recently that of Oscar Grant at the hands of a former BART police officer. I am proud of the passionate and nonviolent manner that more than 1,000 people expressed themselves during the earlier protest.”

 

Mayor Dellums outlined a three-part plan to address the immediate security needs of the downtown business district. First, under the Mayor’s authority to act in an emergency capacity, he is directing City staff to enter in to an immediate, sole-source contract with an Oakland-based firm to provide high-visibility security services for the next 60 to 90 days to address the potential for future problems. These unarmed security personnel would work under the auspices of the Oakland Police Department to serve as additional eyes and ears for OPD on the street, observing and reporting problems.

 

Second, the Mayor directed the Oakland Police Department to increase their patrol downtown and enhance their community policing efforts by getting out of their cars and building relationships with the merchants and businesses.

 

Third, at the request of merchants and business leaders, the Mayor agreed to streamline the exchange of timely and accurate information between the business community, law enforcement and city leaders to that problems can be identified and communicated more quickly and efficiently.

 

“We are one community,” said the Mayor, “and our businesses are the background of a vibrant economy. We are acting quickly to restore confidence in the business community and the patrons of our local businesses so that they will come downtown and feel safe. I call on all Oaklanders and the workers in downtown Oakland to patronize our local shops and restaurants to keep dollars flowing in support of our local economy.”

 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

 

Following last night’s vandalism, the Mayor directed Community and Economic Development staff to visit each of the affected businesses and work with property owners to offer the same assistance package that was provided to businesses affected by last week’s violence so they may recover quickly.

 

Vandalism was generally confined to the Oakland City Center area. A total of nine businesses in the City Center Complex and one vacant business on 10^th Street in Old Oakland had windows broken out. No looting occurred. No previously damaged businesses were damaged again. A total of 48 businesses and private vehicles were damaged in the two events. All of the affected businesses are open today.

 

 

 

# # #