With a $200 million deficit, major cuts could be on the horizon for Oakland, and the cuts some fear most are for public safety.
Police and fire departments are bracing for the worst, but how much will be cut depends on the sale of Oakland’s share of the Coliseum property.
If the sale goes through and the city gets at least $15 million by September 1, the cuts may not be too drastic. Even though some say any cuts will have a significant impact.
Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church sees the consequences of crime in his community every day. It really hit him when he received this terrifying news.
“One of the young men who attend the church where I pastor went to the movies last night,” Bishop Bob Jackson said. “When he came out of the movie he was shot and by the grace of God he wasn’t killed.”
So when he hears about possible cuts to public safety, he worries about how much worse crime could get.
“Law and order must be restored to the city of Oakland,” Bishop Jackson said. “The lawlessness has simply gone too far.”
According to the Oakland Police Officers Association, there are two scenarios: one where the number of officers is reduced from 712 to 678, or all the way to 628.
“I don’t see a solution to how we can effectively tackle crimes and respond to calls in the city,” said Huy Nguyen, president of the OPOA.
Nguyen said the department has a lower staff than 25 years ago, when there were 50,000 fewer residents.
“They wonder if it’s hard for a police officer to work here,” Nguyen asked. “It is difficult for citizens to live in this city and that is the question we must ask our citizens. When is it enough, is it enough.”
That’s a question Bishop Jackson often ponders. He demands that elected officials at City Hall make the city safe.
“We must ensure public safety,” Bishop Jackson said. “It has to be priority number one. If your city isn’t safe, it’s not safe to live in your house, it’s not safe to go to the store, it’s not safe to go to the movies, my God , why do you live in such a city.”
With Mayor Sheng Thao fighting for her own political career, Bishop Jackson doesn’t have much faith in the current leadership to get the job done.
“Absolutely not, absolutely not. Not at all,” he said.
The deadline to prepare a budget is July 1. If no agreement can be reached, the deadline may be extended.
