LeRonne Armstrong has finally released his platform as he runs for City Council At-Large, and I must say it’s a masterpiece of pablum.
It gives me no pleasure to say this, for I admire Chief Armstrong and will vote for him (probably) in November. But I have to wonder who’s responsible for crafting this document, which is a gigantic nothingburger slathered with every cliché that every Oakland politician has ever uttered.
Devoid of specificity, large on sweeping statements that mean nothing, it’s a menu of focus group-tested bromides, each of which raises questions for which Armstrong apparently and currently has no answers.
On Public Safety: “I will continue my work to ensure safe streets and business corridors.” How will you do that, Chief?
On Homelessness: “I will work with all key stakeholders to build affordable housing and tackle homelessness head-on.” How will do accomplish that, Chief?
On Revitalizing Local Business: “I am committed to protecting local businesses from crime and organizing events to attract locals and tourists, boosting our economy.” What will you do that the current City Government isn’t, Chief?
And so on, and on.
We voters deserve better than vague generalities. We’re not electing a cheerleader, we’re electing a City Council member who will have great deal of power. Chief Armstrong’s declared objectives are certainly praiseworthy in themselves, but they’re no more than words unless he can devise the strategies to implement them.
I know that Chief Armstrong is a man of integrity and intelligence. (He was the Coalition’s “Person of the Year” in 2024.) He also possesses those qualities of charisma and leadership so vital to elected officials. I wish that he and his advisors had given more thought to their mission statement, which is the voters’ first introduction to a candidate they don’t yet really know. I hope that, over the next few weeks, the Chief will flesh out his proposals. He can start by assuring us he’s absolutely committed to increasing the number of sworn officers in the Oakland Police Department, which he once led. Chief Armstrong himself told me OPD needs at least 1,100 officers in order to function adequately. I want to see that upfront in his policy proposals. I also want to hear him say he’s sick and tired of Orrick, Warshaw, Burris and Chanin and will fight them in the courts. I want to see a strong, fighting Armstrong, not just another wannabe mayor using the City Council as a steppingstone to higher office.
Steve Heimoff