News from Measure Y

Measure Y Newsletter

Your Measure Y Dollars at Work For a Safe Oakland

April 2008

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for supporting Measure Y, Oakland's violence prevention and public safety initiative. We'd like to let you know how the funds raised through your generosity are being used to create a Safe Oakland. If you know others who are interested in this information, please forward it to a neighbor.

Fruitvale Safety Project Fights Crime with Help from the Community

After a three month effort, the Fruitvale Safety Project has reached the end of its first phase, and already has lowered the crime rates in the neighborhood. Notably, reported robberies decreased 31 percent.

The goal of the project was to actively target street crime in the community through foot patrols and surveillance operations, and also inform the public about city services available to them and to urge the residents to participate in a safety class. City agencies, including Measure Y funded outreach workers and police officers, worked closely with the community, and met bi-weekly to problem solve and stay connected with developments in the area.

According to its leaders, City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente and Captain Ricardo Orozco, it was a great success. "It shows what we can do when we work together," said Capt. Orozco. "It was a project about enforcement and community outreach."

To read the KTVU story, click here.

Oakland Gets $400K Anti-Gang Grant from Governor Schwarzenegger

As part of an overall strategy to combat gang violence, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on March 3, 2008, the award of $9.2 million in competitive grants to cities and community-based organizations (CBOs) for gang prevention, intervention and enforcement, including $400,000 to the City of Oakland.

This grant is part of the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention initiative (CalGRIP). These funds leverage Measure Y dollars, and extend the gang prevention and intervention programs initiated through Measure Y funding, including funding for increased policing as well as gang awareness classes for parents.

Read the Governor's Press Release for more information about CalGRIP.

Oakland Firefighters to Host Seventh Annual Random Acts of Kindness Awards

On April 12th, Oakland Firefighters Random Acts will present the 7th Annual Awards. The Random Acts program provides funds and resources for Oakland Firefighters to create a Random Act of Kindness when they encounter people in need in the community. This program, which started in Oakland, has since expanded nationally to fire departments in seven states.

For more information, to donate, or to purchase tickets to the event, call 510-465-8422 or visit www.ofrandomacts.org.

Breaking the Chain -- Isaac's Story

"Isaac" had been in and out of jail since he was sixteen. A troubled youth from a large family with only his mother to take care of him, Isaac began using drugs and then later committing robberies. Now, at nearly forty, Isaac has chosen to turn his life around by participating in Project Choice, which he entered while in San Quentin Prison.

"I was getting nowhere," he said. "My son is a real inspiration for me to be the father I never had. If it wasn't for Project Choice I wouldn't be able to visit him today."

Read the rest of Isaac's story...

Questions? Comments? Have a story to share about your neighborhood? For more information, please visit us at www.MeasureY.org.

Sincerely,

The Measure Y Team

We are: Police, Fire, and Community Programs for a Safe Oakland

In This Issue

Fruitvale Safety Project

Anti-Gang Funds

Random Acts of Kindness

Isaac's Story

Upcoming Public Forum

Vice Mayor Larry Reid and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce present