City Government

OP-ED: When Police Plant Evidence, They also Plant Seeds of Distrust

Published

9 years ago

April 7, 2015

By Publisher, Post News Group

The recent allegations involving Michigan Police officers who are being accused of planting evidence on a retired Black gentleman, along with dozens of other equally odious police confrontations around the nation, require that we seek some solutions and strategies to change the ways Oakland polices.

Oakland is still responding to the criminal-like behavior revealed in the “Riders” case where our own police officers were also found guilty of planting evidence, along with the use of unnecessary and excessive force and many other criminal acts involving drugs and mistreatment of citizens, especially to Black men.

Too few of the victims received settlements, and to many, the police are still too unsettling. Too much money has been spent for too many years trying to oversee and change our police community relations.

And after more than a dozen years of federal oversight, we no – instead – need local oversight by and for Oakland citizens.

Because of the steadfast, courageous demonstrations and spontaneous resistance movements of groups such as Black Lives Matter, State of Black Oakland (SOBO) and faith and community based leaders, people are moving, monitoring and motivating our official leaders to explain themselves and commit to change.

We also need the voices of elected officials and regular citizens to speak up and offer ideas and solutions about our public safety needs.

We all generally agree that police officers are needed to help keep the peace and keep our neighborhoods safe.

The Post is offering space to anyone who cares or dares enough to propose some answers that we can all debate, discuss and implement.

In the last election, we provided a prodigious amount of space to issues such as development, public safety, jobs and community development. We have another election scheduled for next year and these issues, especially public safety, can’t wait until a few weeks prior to voting to voice our opinions and influence the decision makers and/or their challengers.

In our upcoming issues, we will seek answers and responses from the District Attorney, City Attorney and elected officials.

The Post wants to know what plans or ideas you have. What would you do if you were mayor, city administrator, city attorney, auditor, chief of police or a member of the Oakland City Council?

We would like to see someone step forward to analyze and recommend helpful changes. All lives matter. Our police officers matter. The DA and city attorney must ensure fairness. The mayor and council must insist on equitable fair treatment to Black citizens because their lives matter too.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.