Activism

Assemblymembers Discuss Public Safety and Revitalization During Downtown Berkeley Visit

Over the past few years, several reports have been released across the country highlighting the need to revitalize commercial districts in post-pandemic America. All of them indicate that there has been a decline in people shopping at local businesses, eating at restaurants, and enjoying downtown nightlife options.

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2024

Magaly Muñoz

Assemblymembers Mark Haney (D-San Francisco), left, and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), right. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

Assemblymembers Mark Haney (D-San Francisco) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) visited downtown Berkeley on Dec. 4 to meet with city leaders about public safety and revitalizing the area that has been experiencing increasing crime and blight.

Haney, who did his undergraduate degree a few blocks away at UC Berkeley, has been on a tour of different cities across California to explore why previously bustling downtowns are losing foot traffic and commercial tenants.

Berkeley is no different.

In 2023, the city reported an 11.9% vacancy rate for businesses in the downtown area. City leaders said they cannot find a way to incentivize people to visit their locations.

Simone, owner of Almare Gelato Italiano, told the Assemblymembers that there is a “dark side” to this corridor that not many see. He said that residents feel unsafe visiting that particular area after a certain time and his workers also fear for their lives as they often experience harassment from random people walking by his shops.

“I can tell you that being here for my business is a big risk, a big challenge,” Simone said.

Simone blames District Attorney Pamela Price, who was recently recalled from office in November, for not taking crime seriously and prosecuting people who steal and commit crimes that impact local retailers. He also said that there is an abundance of homeless people walking aimlessly around the city disturbing patrons.

Dorothée Mitrani, owner of La Note, a restaurant in Berkeley, says the police are not responsive when business owners call to report harassment at their locations. She said police will only show up if an “actual crime” has been committed.

Simone said there needs to be more trust in police and an increase in their presence might help maintain order and mitigate recurring problems.

As a part of Haney’s downtown tour, his team was taken to different parts of Berkeley, including Old City Hall, which homeless advocates are occupying in an effort to resist shutdowns of homeless encampments.

In September, the Berkeley City Council relaxed restrictions for sweeps, stating encampments can be removed even without the availability of shelter — a hard stance for liberal-leaning city.

Peter Radu, assistant to the city manager, told Haney and Wicks that the city is committed to ensuring and maintaining public safety and cleanliness, and will continue with a housing-first approach.

Radu shared that through the pandemic officials were able to learn that unhoused people are more inclined to choose housing when they have more options, such as non-congregate shelters. The city is hoping to obtain additional grants, similar to the ones received during the pandemic, to fund facilities that will allow people to have more housing options.

Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper.

Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities.

The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Magaly Muñoz

A graduate of Sacramento State University, Magaly Muñoz’s journalism experience includes working for the State Hornet, the university’s student-run newspaper and conducting research and producing projects for “All Things Considered” at National Public Radio. She also was a community reporter for El Timpano, serving Latino and Mayan communities, and contributed to the Sacramento Observer, the area’s African American newspaper. Muñoz is one of 40 early career journalists who are part of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen local news reporting in California, with a focus on underserved communities. The fellowship program places journalism fellows throughout the state in two-year, full-time reporting positions.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 22 – 28, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 22 – 28, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 27, 2026

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

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Activism

Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant Plans Bay Area Farmers Market Initiative

Published

1 week ago

July 18, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant displays watermelons from her Sacramento farm at the Temescal Festival in Oakland. Photo by Carla Thomas.

In her 80s and still actively working as an agricultural engineer, Effie Gant continues to break barriers in urban farming and community leadership.

The certified USDA grower and respected urban farmer, based in South Sacramento, was recently spotted vending at the Freedom Farmers’ Market by the Temescal Street Fair on Saturday, July 11, where she proudly displayed dozens of sweet, juicy watermelons.

Festivalgoers gathered not only to purchase her produce but also to enjoy activities like the popular watermelon-eating contest. Yet beyond the festive atmosphere, Gant has a larger vision.

Gant is now setting her sights on the Bay Area, where she plans to launch a farmers’ market to increase access to fresh, locally grown food.

Known for her leadership in sustainable agriculture and food justice, she brings decades of hands-on experience and community advocacy to regions where food access remains inconsistent.

She has built a strong reputation through her work with Meadowview Urban Farm and the Yisrael Family Urban Farm, cultivating crops such as watermelons, honeydew melons, and collard greens. Her approach emphasizes sustainability, education, and empowering residents to grow their own food, even in small urban spaces.

As a USDA-certified grower, Gant blends technical expertise with grassroots engagement to combat food insecurity.

Beyond farming, Gant serves as CEO and President of Highways to Hedges, a nonprofit focused on environmental justice and community development. She is also president of the Hampton Station Neighborhood Association and board chairman for HHCORE, where she advocates for safety, equity, and economic opportunity.

Her proposed farmers market will connect small-scale farmers with urban communities while elevating Black farmers and other underrepresented growers.

“I want to teach the next generation about farming and how lucrative it can be,” Gant said. “You don’t need hundreds of acres. You can start with one acre or even your backyard.”Gant also noted her involvement in a collective of farmers who supply produce through government-supported programs.

“We operate as a team, and we all benefit,” she said.

Through workshops, speaking engagements, and hands-on training, Gant and her organization continue to educate communities about agriculture and food justice. Her market initiative will emphasize affordability, cultural relevance, and nutrition education.

Her broader work includes creating edible forests in partnership with Soil Born Farms, planting fruit trees directly in neighborhoods to expand food access. As a mentor with the Center of Expertise on Food Justice and Health Equity, Gant remains a leading voice in building sustainable and resilient food systems.

Gant says she welcomes the community to join her in creating a new farmer’s market.

“Farming is essential to life,” she said. “I want to train as many people as I can to use food and farming as a tool for empowerment, health, and long-term change.”