We're working on a Public Safety Watch story that is without a doubt one of the most important stories I've worked on since I wrote about schools getting phased out in Oakland.
The focus of the news piece is a deep look at the daunting challenges facing Oakland’s new police chief Anthony Batts and his quest to make his five-year strategic plan a success.
It's a challenging, complex assignment with many unique people behind the story. But, at the front and center of this piece is Chief Batts.
If the newly appointed Oakland police chief is shook up from labor unrest, possible layoffs of hundreds of officers, and constant protests connected to his gang injunction proposal, he isn't showing it.
Known for his engaging manner, Batts, who previously oversaw the Long Beach Police Department, was cool as a cucumber at a recent (Thurs.) press conference held at the OPD headquarters on 7th Street. The new chief was all smiles as he greeted reporters and he sounded confident and at ease despite the lurking trouble.
After announcing a 16 percent drop in Oakland crime, he checked off a list of challenges facing the department, including major city budget problems.
Not more than a mile away, activists and local citizens were protesting one of the signature pieces in his five-year strategic plan at the Alameda Courthouse. Inside the courthouse, a judge was weighing the merits of the injunction.*
Gang Injunction push back isn't the only trouble hurdle Batts faces.
City council is scrambling to address a whopping $42 million budget deficit. Any cost savings measures employed will likely affect the police department. On Thursday, Batts said any city budget cuts would mean the department would potentially layoff up to 350 officers.
As a result, Measure Y money is potentially on the cutting block. The city would automatically lose $20 million in annual Measure Y funding if it lays off police officers.
All of these troubling issues create a huge challenge to the Batts plan. And it's why I'm excited to dig into this important Oakland story.
Already Batts has invested a lot of manpower and resources into his plan. If the plan, or most of the plan, delivers on its promises, Batts will be hero number one in Oakland. If, however, the plan stalls out, or just falls apart, Batts is looking at serious credibility issues. Stay tuned.
For more information on this story, visit here.
*Alameda County Superior Court, Judge Robert Freedom said later that day that he planned to approve the injunction.
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