Tagged: Oakland

Of the 2,000 people who initially applied for the 55 new positions on the Oakland Police force, most were from outside the city. In fact, more than 90% of the current police force does not live in Oakland, something that activists say strains community police relations and affects city resources. Oakland spends about 40% of its general fund on police – that compares with 26% spent on police in San Jose, 17% in Sacramento and 7% in Long Beach. 

More of a police presence and better police community relations are good ways to prevent violence, but a group of young men in Oakland are trying a different approach. They call themselves "Warriors for Peace,” and they are part of a violence prevention program that equips and trains teens to make films about Oakland. The hope is that from behind a lens, they will see their city, and themselves, a little differently. 

When the Oakland Police Department put out a call for new recruits earlier this year, more than 2,000 people applied – mostly from outside of Oakland. The applicants live in cities in the outer East Bay and in San Francisco, but they also hail from as far away as Illinois and Florida.

On the next Your Call, we’ll speak with two Occupy Wall Street activists, Jen Waller and Tom Hintze, who have been traveling across the country with their project, Less Wall, More Street -- talking to people about how to fight state repression of protest.  Close to a year after it began, has Occupy changed the conversations we’re having about the economy and our democracy?  Join us at 10am PST or post a comment here.  As the presidential election approaches, will the voices of the 99% be heard?  Up next on Your Call, with Rose Aguilar, and you.

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