Public Safety

Our public safety depends on more than reactive responses to incidents of crime. It involves a coordinated response to the underlying factors that increase the likelihood of crime and delinquency in our communities. Through prevention and early intervention programs, we can address high-risk behaviors and conditions that have become too prevalent. Our strategy will not only ensure that our community is safe, but also that we can tackle addiction and unemployment. This is critical. - Greg Hodge

Ultimately, a collective vision and response plan is best developed through a public-private partnership that can mobilize faith in our ability to provide public safety, use data to inform our decision making, hold those who possess this data to use it wisely, and work to sustain a plan of action.

We need culturally competent diversion programs that reflect the diversity of the communities that work and live in District 3. This is the only way we’ll be able to differentiate those who would be better served by programs than punishment. Research and pilot initiatives across the nation have demonstrated that when we improve access to basic needs such as education, health care, housing, and employment for all of our citizens, we are more likely to have a community in which our citizens feel safe and our businesses thrive.

A coordinated approach to public safety is one in which our community stakeholders truly partner with our legal system and justice stakeholders in order to develop a common voice and approach to decreasing violence and participation in the underground economy. This is achieved by developing a continuum of services—from prevention through aftercare and re-entry—for every man, woman, and child in our community.

It’s also priority to support the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated men, women, and children, establishing linkages between social service agencies, educators, health care providers, justice stakeholders, and families in order to exercise our power to engage in the process of preparing our community for greatness.

Our Oakland is about recognizing all of the voices that have a stake in this conversation. We invite you to offer your ideas about how you would like to see public safety in Oakland improved.