Oakland's public safety officers face budget deep-freeze

Capital improvement pass-through moratorium may be coming to Alameda; San Leandro landlords urge for city to end its eviction moratorium this month; Jennifer Esteen is running for change in ALCO

CITY NEWS

OAKLAND

—SMALL GOVERNMENT—Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is proposing to balance a two-year, $360 million budget deficit with a noteworthy restructuring of Oakland’s city departments that includes cuts to police and fire.

—Oakland’s budget shortfall is historic. The upcoming fiscal year budget is projected to have a $175 million shortfall, followed by $170 million next year.

—Thao’s budget proposal seeks to freeze 93 vacant full-time sworn police officer positions. Current staffing will be reduced to 710 police officers, down from the 726 budgeted in the prior fiscal year budget.

—The freeze includes 29 fewer funded officers patrolling the streets; 28 fewer sworn officers in crime investigations; 21 fewer in crime reduction; and 14 fewer in traffic.

—In addition, the Oakland Fire Department will be down two fire trucks over the next two fiscal years. The budget also freezes 38 vacant positions at Oakland Fire.

—The budget notes the cuts will adversely affect OFD’s response times. “These delays will have real life implications for residents, businesses and property owners and renters, and visitors of Oakland.”

—Oakland’s Violence Prevention Department will reduce its contracts by nearly $3 million, resulting in about 2,000 residents receiving services from the department, according to the mayor’s proposal.

—During a period when Oaklanders perceive violent crime is skyrocketing, along with mayhem seen nightly on local newscasts, it remains to be seen how cuts to OPD will be received after an ill-fated “Defund the Police” movement fizzled out two years ago.

—Oakland’s budget outlook includes chronically rising pension costs. The fiscal situation is made worse by a sudden drop in property transfer taxes caused by inflation and high interest rates.

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