The Case Against Bas

“Council members Nikki Fortunato Bas and Carroll Fife spearheaded the push to defund the Oakland Police Department.” That was the headline of the June 24, 2021 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. This occurred just as Oakland’s infamous summer of murder was starting, when 134 people were slaughtered on the city’s streets. So great was the outcry against this carnage that a majority of the City Council, who had previously indulged in anti-police rhetoric, including Sheng Thao, voted at summer’s end to fund an additional police training academy. But two Council members voted against it: Yes, Bas and Fife.

The Police Commission: There they go again

The Oakland Police Commission on Nov. 14 voted to establish an ad-hoc committee for “reviewing and assessing policies and practices related to handcuffing within the Oakland Police Department.” The Commission did not explain why they chose to review this topic at this time. No public comments were taken before their vote, nor was OPD notified beforehand what sorts of changes the Commission might be considering or when further hearings will be held.

Let’s have an honest conversation about “equity”

If there’s one word that’s central to Oakland politics, it’s “equity.” The notion of “equity” runs like a bloodstream throughout all the city’s programs. Virtually every city department has an official equity component. The Department of Transportation boasts that its street-paving plan is based on “equity, street condition, and safety.” The Department of Human Resources Management claims its values are “diversity, inclusion, and equity,” the infamous and controversial DEI that is under such fierce political attack. The Department of Violence Prevention’s Chief, Holly Joshi, says her goals include achieving “gender and racial equity.” The Oakland City Auditor’s Department even has a Race and Equity Team to “take into account race and equity in implementing City policies, programs, laws, budgeting, and funding.”