Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes September 17th, 2014
Mission: Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project seeks to improve the quality of life for residents, employees and visitors by enforcing codes on negligent property owners, housing violations, parking violations, disruptive behavior, excessive noise and underage drinking in the Oakland neighborhood. I.
In attendance: Lauren Barney, Geof Becker, Maria Bethel, Kathy Boykowycz, Alicia Carberry, Shaun Cusick, Stephanie Felton, Carlino Giampolo, Grant Gittlen, Katie Hale, Nathan Hart, Jason Hendershot, Brian Hill, Chris Honeywill, Guy Johnson, Kevin Kerr, Blair Kossis, Bruce Kraus, Shannon Leshen, Bob McPherson, Neil Manganaro, David Manthei, Michael Medwed, Joe Meyers, Lywell Moore, Mark Oleniacz, Ed Pace, Rebekkah Ranallo, Lawrence Robinson, Gregg Roman, Kannu Sahni, Peg Sedlack, Jerry Seifert, Kathleen Sestili, Carla Spinelli, Sally Stein, Lara Sullivan, Michael Thompson, John Tokarski, John Wilds, Wanda Wilson.
II.
Council President Kraus on meetings with Public Safety Director Bucar and Police Chief McLay: -A major component of the Responsible Hospitality Initiative has been effectively handling house parties. The focus on fostering healthy nightlife economies includes proper enforcement of pay-toenter house parties. -The Council President reported on meetings with the new Public Safety Director Stephen Bucar and Police Chief Cameron McLay, and a meeting on 9/11 with the Law Department’s Chief Legal Officer Lourdes Sanchez-Ridge and Public Safety Director Bucar to outline the community's urge for citations at parties in order for the Disruptive Properties Ordinance to be enforced. The Police will need to work to find the party host in order to enforce the Social Host amendment to the ordinance. -Council President Kraus read aloud from a letter Director Bucar sent twice to former Acting Police Chief Regina McDonald. The letter issued a directive for all police commanders to ensure officers issue citations at parties, and not just disperse party patrons. The police were instructed to first seek to cite the lessor/ lesser, and if neither can be determined, will move cite patrons. -A review of the reporting software the police use is currently under way to see how Disruptive Properties Ordinance may be enforced more easily to be more effective. -When asked if citations made by university police can also trigger the Disruptive Properties Ordinance, Council President Kraus said he would explore this. Residents emphasized importance of this since university officers respond to majority of calls in Oakland. -A Parkview Avenue neighbor asked if proactive policing ever happens. Sometimes, yes, but a 911 call is the best way to summon police. The need to call 911 in order to bring the police to different disruptions was emphasized. -A Dawson Street neighbor asked what can be done about the two am procession that often occurs down Frazier, Dawson, and Parkview as parties empty and people head home. -Residents asked that enforcement partners consider how to share occupancy info after parties are broken up.
III.
Mayor’s Office Update, Community Affairs Manager Grant Gittlen: