Mayoral Candidates Speak up about Public Safety

Oakland Local edi... Wed, 25 Aug at 2:27pm
Candidates, from left, Terence Candell, Orlando Johnson, Greg Harland and Rebecca Kaplan.

Candidates, from left, Terence Candell, Orlando Johnson, Greg Harland and Rebecca Kaplan.

On Thursday, seven of the eight candidates in this yea'rs Oakland mayoral race gathered at the Lakeshore Baptist Church to discuss public safety.

Forum participants included Terence Candell, Orlando Johnson, Greg Harland, Rebecca Kaplan, Don Macleay, Jean Quan and newcomer Joe Tuman.

More than 200 community members gathered to listen to the candidates tackle issues like the recent layoffs within the Oakland Police Department and how it will impact residents; the city's dismal fiscal status; the conduct of OPD following the Johannes Mehserle verdict; youth crime and violence in general; the city's gang injunctions; and more.

"To have proper law enforcement, you have to a fully staffed police force," Harland said at one point in the evening. "We're right down now to half of what we should have."

This year's elections will be held on Nov. 2.

 

 

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The Oakland Local Editorial Team is made up of Kwan Booth, Amy Gahran, Irene Florez, Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig, Eric Arnold, Jennifer Inez Ward, CB Smith-Dahl, Meg Bertoni, Susan Mernit, Tehea Robie, Ruth Miller, Debi Mason, and others.
zale james commented Array ago
Well...public safety isn't the only issue. Most of the officers are not on the street of the 700 plus force. It's more the accountability of the officers that is paramount. There are other factors that constitute a quality city! If there is a "bad element" in Oakland solutions lay in communications and expectations of needs and wants. I hope the next mayor is a wise leader!
Rachel Caan commented Array ago

Terence Candell.  Whew! Terence Candell is clearly head and shoulders above the rest.  Oakland has its next mayor.  All we need to do now is vote for him.