Mayor Lee Says Federal Shutdown Won’t Affect City Services
Special to The Post
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Oakland City Hall. Photos courtesy City of Oakland.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee issued the following statement on Oct. 1 regarding the federal government shutdown and its impact on City services: “Oaklanders deserve a government that works for them –
at all levels. When Washington shuts down, Oaklanders feel it, especially our most vulnerable. As your mayor, I want you to know that despite the federal government shutdown, all essential City services continue as normal. This includes public safety, infrastructure maintenance, housing
services, business support and permitting, and economic development. “…Earlier this year, the City Council and I anticipated possible federal funding challenges and set aside resources to help bridge any gaps if needed. We’ll keep putting Oaklanders
first and we urge Washington to act swiftly so families don’t go without the basics they deserve.” For updates, visit oakland. ca.gov/ Justin Phillips of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s media relations office is the source of this report.
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62nd Year, No. 40
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Shawn Carter Foundation Celebrates Oakland Native: Michael J. Payton
Hundreds of protesters march near the Port of Oakland on Friday, Sept. 19, attempting to block entry to the port and demanding that the city end its arms shipment to Israel. Photo courtesy of ABC7.
Protesters at Port of Oakland Demand End of Arms Shipments to Israel
By Post Staff
Hundreds of protesters marched near the Port of Oakland on the morning of Sept. 19, attempting to block the entry to the port and demanding that Oakland end its arms shipment to Israel. The group carried an oversized
banner with the words, “Stop the Siege on Gaza.” In a statement, the Port of Oakland said the protest was peaceful and there was no impact on port operations. According to the protest organizers, they were showing solidarity with Continued on page 10
Office of Inspector General Reports on Progress of Oakland Police Reforms
Oakland Inspector General Zurvohn A. Maloof. By Ken Epstein Oakland’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its annual report evaluating the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) policies, practices and procedures over the past fiscal year. “This annual report is a cornerstone of trust and transparency for the Oakland community,” said
Inspector General Zurvohn A. Maloof. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to independent oversight and systemic improvement.” In the section covering in-service trainings, the report said that in 2023-2024, no officers were trained on profiling and implicit bias. In 2024-2025, 31 officers or 0.5% received the training, which is designed to help officers avoid “treating a person differently based on race, gender, or place of residence.” In the sessions on “procedural justice,” officers received training on treating people with dignity and respect, to be impartial and “give people a voice to express their perspectives or concerns.” No officers received this training in 2023-2024, and 339 officers or 50% went to the training in 2024-2025. In sessions on de-escalation, which emphasizes conflict resoluContinued on page 10
Photo courtesy Oakland Police Department.
OPD Seeks Help Identifying 2 Individuals in Connection to a 2021 Homicide, Robbery
Michael Payton and Jay-Z, aka, Shawn Carter. Michael J. Payton web site photo.
By Paul Chambers
As the Shawn Carter Foundation (SCF) marks 22 years of transforming lives through access, mentorship, and opportunity, one of its proudest alumni is Oakland native Michael J. Payton, a filmmaker whose journey embodies resilience, creativity, and
Four years ago, Dirk Tillotson was shot and killed during a home invasion robbery in East Oakland in Oct. 1, 2021. The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying two suspects wanted in connection with the homicide. The first suspect is described as
By Carla Thomas
community impact. (The foundation is named for Shawn Corey Carter, whose professional name is Jay-Z.) Payton’s latest project is to honor SCF’s influence on his life by producing a featurelength documentary about it. The film Continued on page 10
a thin male, about 5’9” - 6’0”, wearing a gray or light-colored hooded sweatshirt, gray or light-colored pants, and light-colored shoes. The second suspect is described as a medium-build male, about 5’9” - 6’0”, wearing a gray or lightcolored hooded sweatshirt, black or dark-colored pants with stripes down the side, and white shoes Continued on page 10
Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) Gets $1 Million Boost
By Carla Thomas Oakland’s Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO) program is set for major growth after securing $1 million in new state funding. Thanks to the efforts of State Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Oakland) in partnership with Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (DHealdsburg). Mayor Barbara Lee thanked Arreguín for championing this investment, highlighting the transformative impact MACRO has made by reimagining public safety through a community-centered lens that prioritizes care, compassion, and equity for Oakland’s most vulnerable residents. Launched by the Oakland Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Division as a pilot
Logo. Courtesy of the City of Oakland. in 2022, MACRO dispatches unarmed, civilian responders to non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls. These responders are specially trained to support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, homelessness, or substance abuse. Rather than traditional law enforcement, the responders help
people in need with medical and mental health support, and immediate connections to social services. Since expanding citywide, MACRO has diverted hundreds of calls each month from police and fire, cutting down on repeat 911 calls and offering a trusted pres-
ence in underserved communities. The program is recognized for building strong relationships between community members and responders, creating a public safety approach rooted in trust and compassion rather than enforcement. The newly secured $1 million will allow MACRO to expand its reach, strengthen its ability to serve Oaklanders experiencing mental health crises and substance abuse challenges, and build strong community partnerships. Lee emphasized that this funding affirms Oakland’s commitment to public safety reforms, stating, “This investment represents far more than financial support as it is an affirmation of a community-centered approach to public safety that prioritizes care, Continued on page 10
U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon Holds Constituent Breakfast
By Cathy Adams Congresswoman Lateefah Simon hosted her First Annual Constituent Breakfast on Sept. 26 in Washington, D.C. The breakfast highlighted Simon’s work in Congress to address a range of issues critical to the con-
Dr Watson and the family dog, “Elmo Watson.” Courtesy photo.
Is Owning a Dog Good for Your Health?
stituents of District 12, including the economy, housing and transporta-
The pros and cons
By Geoffrey Watson, M.D.
and the American kennel club ad-
Dogs provide significant socialization, exercise, and unconditional love. Dogs are known to soothe your emotions. A review by the mayo clinic health system,
dressed numerous research stud-
tion, immigration, poverty, violence prevention, civil rights, and global
ies that owning a dog may be very good for your health. READ THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 7.
Left to right: Attorney Gordon Greenwood, Cathy D. Adams, OAACC; Danny Williams, business owner, OAACC board member; Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and attorney Robert Harris, OAACC Board member. Courtesy photo.
peace and security.