After 11 months, Oakland's MACRO crews have much to be proud of. But just 6% of their service calls come from police dispatch. 'Yes, we could be concerned,' activist Cat Brooks said.
MACRO teams employees fan out in Oakland's most challenged neighborhoods seven days a week to respond to behavioral health issues and crisis calls that were previously left up to police – or no one at all – to handle.The crews working for Oakland's MACRO teams are out on the streets, delivering bottles of water, handing out blankets and connecting unhoused people to shelters across the city.
"This absolutely matters," said Cat Brooks o-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project and the executive director of The Justice Teams Network, who pushed for MACRO a decade ago. "Yes, we should be concerned. We know that the majority of calls that OPD gets are about the unhoused. This is indicative of OPD's resistance to change. If MACRO's civilian efforts are successful, that threatens their funding.
Millie Cleveland, who sits on the advisory board to MACRO, said she believes that the program is working will in terms of homeless outreach. Cleveland added that she has tried repeatedly as an advisory board member to get answers to her questions but the "staff has been unresponsive." In addition, Cleveland said the advisory board is not set up in a way to elicit community engagement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pentax 100mm f/2.8 Macro Review: Great Quality in an Outdated PackageReview: While it may not be perfect by modern and mirrorless standards, for Pentax users, the 100mm f/2.8 is the best macro option you can get.
Read more »
Sandmarc's New 100mm Macro Gives iPhones Close Shooting CapabilitiesSandmarc has announced a new 100mm macro lens for iPhones that significantly enhances its close-focusing capabilities.
Read more »
Brent to test $70 as macro concerns overtake long-term fundamentals – RabobankCrude oil has weakened significantly in the last two weeks. Economists at Rabobank expect Brent Oil to test the $70 mark. Second half of 2023 will wit
Read more »
Unhoused man found dead at camp along Oakland freewayAn unhoused man was found dead Monday morning in a makeshift structure along an Oakland freeway offramp.
Read more »
Oakland teachers to strike if no deal reached by ThursdayUPDATE The Oakland teachers union announced on Monday they will go on a strike if no deal is reached with the school district by Thursday, May 4.
Read more »
Oakland mayor: New budget proposal will save city from drastic cuts amid record shortfallThe mayor’s proposed budget would keep spending and expected revenue roughly equal as recession fears loom nationwide.
Read more »