Oakland Public Safety Committee Meeting – June 24, 2025

The Oakland City Council Public Safety Committee convened at 6:21 PM on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in the City Council Chamber. Chair Charlene Wang presided, with Councilmembers Rowena Brown, Carroll Fife, and Ken Houston present. The committee approved routine agenda items, heard public testimony on the pending list and an asset forfeiture appropriation, and conducted a discussion on funding for the Oakland Police Department's Ceasefire program. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Draft Minutes (June 10, 2025): A motion by Councilmember Fife, seconded by Chair Wang, to accept the minutes passed unanimously (4–0).
• Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items (Pending List): A motion by Councilmember Fife, seconded by Chair Wang, to accept the pending list passed unanimously (4–0). Public speakers were heard before the vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the Pending List (Item 2): Two speakers addressed the committee. Rajni Bandal (District 4) requested reports on the Negotiated Settlement Agreement (NSA), police identification practices, Lake Merritt policing during Juneteenth, fire evacuation plans, community policing budgets, side shows, and sidewalk vendors. Another speaker (Sadawabala) criticized the NSA federal monitor for moving goalposts and lacking metrics, argued the NSA is hindering recruitment and morale, and urged the city to petition the judge to end the NSA, noting a July 10 compliance hearing.
• On the Asset Forfeiture Resolution (Item 3): Two speakers commented. The first speaker questioned Ceasefire's evidence base and data transparency, asking for quantitative and qualitative data on program participation and recidivism. The second speaker (Rajni Mandel, District 4) supported the use of funds, praised a report by Dr. Tracy Jones, and highlighted the requirement of conviction before asset use and the need for a functioning district attorney's office for forfeiture.
• Open Forum: Three speakers testified. Rajani Mandal criticized the Police Commission, alleging it lacks police experience and oversteps its authority, particularly regarding militarized equipment and pursuit policies. Nita B condemned the Oakland Police Department's response to the Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt, alleging excessive force, checkpoints, towing, and lack of community notice; she disputed claims that Mayor Barbara Lee ordered the shutdown. A third speaker (Ms. Sada) echoed concerns about blocked access and argued the police actions were intended to suppress Black community gatherings.

Discussion Items

• OPD Asset Forfeiture Fund Appropriation (Item 3): Acting Captain Ediverto Perez Angeles and Lieutenant Gabriel Arquiza presented a resolution to accept and appropriate $1,223,533 in federal and state asset forfeiture funds for the Oakland Police Department's Ceasefire program. Funds would support equipment such as stop sticks, drones, vehicle retrofits (suspension, bumpers), cell-brite technology, Motorola subscriptions, and a new real-time operations center. The captain noted a 34% reduction in murders and shootings since 2024 and emphasized the need to sustain progress against gang violence, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Councilmembers Brown and Houston asked about fund selection processes, past reporting gaps (last appropriation in 2014), connection to Ceasefire, drone usage and training, stop stick effectiveness, expansion of asset forfeiture to include gambling dens and illicit real estate, and human trafficking enforcement. Lieutenant Arquiza explained that forfeiture typically involves cash from narcotics cases and requires a DA's office asset forfeiture unit, which currently lacks a dedicated prosecutor. Councilmember Houston urged prioritizing equipment to combat human trafficking, noting a large number of women and minors on International Boulevard during a recent ride-along.

Key Outcomes

• Items 1 and 2 were approved unanimously (4–0).
• Item 3 was approved on a motion by Councilmember Fife, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to forward the resolution to the July 1, 2025 City Council meeting on the consent calendar. The vote was 4–0 in favor.
• No action was taken on Open Forum testimony.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 PM.