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A Street Safety Guide for Schools and Neighborhoods

11/20/2018

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Safer Driving = Safer Streets

School's been back in session for some time now, but while students and teachers are settled into new routines, the rest of us have likely settled into bad habits during drop-off and pick-up. As we head into the new year, let's commit to creating safer streets for all, particularly around our schools.  

Can we just make our neighborhoods more walkable? 

Yes. We can and should promote more walkable neighborhoods. And sure, more students could probably walk or take a bus. But the reality is that ​here in Oakland, OUSD "live/go" and "go/live" rates and transit options are such that many families are commuting by car from another neighborhood. And the more dangerous traffic issues there are around the school, the less likely neighboring students are to bike or walk. 
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So let's focus on making getting to and from school safer. Have you ever observed a chaotic drop-off or pick up?  Traffic jams. Neighbors making threats. Cars slam on the brakes as parents dart out of nowhere to jaywalk with with their students. Students' risk their lives as they navigate dangerous crosswalks and illegally parked cars.
The impact? School administrators spend valuable time crafting detailed transportation procedures and handing out citations -  not to tardy students - but to offending drivers. City traffic enforcement is out spending city resources to ticket drivers and caregivers.  Meanwhile, our streets are increasingly unsafe for our students, cyclists and other pedestrians. ​​
We can do better! ​​​​Most of the drama and chaos takes place in a short span of 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon.This handy safety guide is intended to help us all improve those 40 minutes for all of us. Chances are there are a few things below we can each do better. 

Tips for drivers in a school zone: Don't be *that* driver!

School zones are marked by signs and yellow crosswalks indicating you're near a school and in a zone where traffic fines are multiplied. If you are driving near a school: 
PictureHow to fix an unsafe school zone
  • Don't speed.
  • Don't block intersections or crosswalks.
  • Don't make U-turns anywhere near the school.
  • Don't park in red zones. Learn more about daylighting to better understand why this is important for student safety. 
  • Obey speed limits, which are slower in school zones and fines are increased.
  • Look out for crossing guards, students and cyclists. 
  • Look for school buses and stop in either direction if the red lights are flashing

Tips for Drop-off / Pick-up lanes

PictureHow to fix an unsafe school zone by Safe Kids Worldwide
Read your school's drop-off and pick-up procedures and remember to explain to anyone who will be driving your students.  Many violators are not regularly driving to the school and simply don't know the rules. 
  • Don't get out of your car. 
  • Don't put anything in the trunk your students will need.
  • Make sure students do not exit the car on the street side, or non-drop off side.
  • Make sure your child can get out of the car on their own without your assistance.
  • Say your goodbyes and give reminders well before you pull up, not after the door opens. 
  • Never back up, park, or wait in the drive-through lane.
  • Follow signs and street marking and pay attention to the directions of crossing guards and curbside staff and volunteers. 
  • If possible, consider skipping the drop-off lane, parking in the area and walk your child to school. If you do, avoid smash and grabs by avoiding leaving any visible items or valuables in your car. 

"Each morning, as soon as we pass a pink house two blocks away from the school, we all know what to do. I start with goodbyes and  reminders, and the kids start getting ready to hop out."
- Oakland parent

Tips for schools and parent associations 

School administrators and parent associations can create a traffic safety committee with school staff, parents and community members.  The committee can work with the local Safe Routes to School program to access technical assistance and other opportunities to support a culture of pedestrian and street safety year-round.
  • ​​Develop written traffic guidelines with a clear map showing the expected path of travel for drop off and pick ups. Use photos and explain consequences for repeat offenders. 
  • Observe traffic patterns during peak times and come up with action items for follow-up.
  • Educate parents by including periodic reminders in newsletters, for parents and caregivers.
  • Take photos of dangerous situations to share with the parent community and/or advocate to the city for improvements. 
  • Create a simple 1-pager with guidelines to distribute and post online. Share copies to neighbors and hand out to parents and caregivers. 
  • Use Tactical Urbanism to promote your campaigns. If the City is taking to long to implement an engineered solution, purchase your own in-street sign and safety cones to use to slow traffic and warn drivers. 
  • Work with your city representatives to recommend small fixes and  longer term capital improvements
  • Create a safety patrol program, If your school has older students. Shout out to Oakland' Unified's Veronica Martinez  for winning the honor of the 2018 Safety Patrol Advisor of the Year for the entire United States! 
  • Promote awareness of bus safety for parent drivers and students. 

Tips for students 

Kids! You too can do your part to get to and from school safely. It's your street and neighborhood too, so your voice matters. 
PictureOakland students sharing concerns with city officials and neighbors.
  • ​Learn how to safely walk to school, bike or ride a bus to school by attending local traffic safety events and watching safety videos online 
  • Review the school traffic policies with your parents and caregivers and remind them to obey the rules. 
  • Meet with parents and school staff to share concerns and help brainstorm ideas. 
  • Write letters to city staff and officials and share your ideas and concerns in person.
  • Make signs to remind drivers to pay attention, drive safely and follow the rules and laws. 
  • ​​Spot a problem? Invent your own solution! Come up with ideas to make your streets safer and share your ideas and prototypes with others. 

Tips for neighbors 

First off, thank you for your being a school neighbor. If you've just moved next to a school, or you're having issues with a neighboring school, here's what you can do: 
  • Get a copy of the school's traffic safety plan. If they don't have one, encourage them to write one by sharing the resources on this page as a starting place.
  • Assume the best intentions and seek to educate those attempting to park illegally. 
  • If there are repeat offenders, take photos and share with school administration so that they can follow-up directly with parents. Work together to identify solutions. 
  • Submit dangerous traffic conditions to See-Click-Fix and share throughout your neighborhood networks. 
  • Attend your local neighborhood council meetings and share your concerns with your Community Resource Officer and Neighborhood Services Coordinator. 
  • Join school officials on a neighborhood walk-through to identify risks and engineering solutions. 
  • Join the school community and other neighbors for a Paint the Town  event to slow traffic and increase visibility of the school zone. 

Tips for cities and school districts

Sometimes it seems that parent groups and schools need to mobilize a large advocacy campaign in order to make small improvements to improve street safety around schools.  But unfortunately, not every school has the capacity or resources to mobilize and campaign for safer streets. School districts and city transportation departments should take the lead to make sure students can get to and from school safely. 
  • Prioritize repairs in school zones and don't wait for parent letter writing campaigns to respond. 
  • Support Walk and Roll to School Day, a Bike Rodeo or other bike and pedestrian safety day
  • Coordinate with OPD safety officers and ticketing division to address repeat offenders and speeding drivers around schools during peak times. 
  • Make sure crosswalks, curbs and signage are in good condition around every school before school starts. 
  • Ensure that garbage, recycling and street sweeping trucks do not work in school zones during peak drop off and pick-up times. 
  • Partner with transit agencies for reduced or free transit passes for students. 
  • Focus on improving safety of bus stops near schools. 

Who's doing what in Oakland 

  • Lincoln Elementary guidelines in Oakland Chinatown 
  • The Head Royce School Transportation Plan
  • Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools
  • Golden Gate School Zone Initiative
  • Santa Fe School Zone Initiative
  • Cleaveland Elementary Safety Patrol
  • Franklin Elementary School Safety Project
  • Hillcrest Drop-off and Parking Procedures 
  • Montclair Elementary Golden Rules of Drop-off
  • Bike Days at Sequoia Elementary​
Are you working on a school safety initiative? Let us know and we'll add your site here. 

Other resources 

  • OUSD Tips for Walking to and from the Bus Stop and Crossing the Street  
  • Take Action Toolkit: How to fix an unsafe school zone in your community
  • ​California driver handbook - School Zones 
  • Safe Routes to School - School zone engineering resources
  • 2014 California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 
  • Oakland Department of Transportation Paint the Town Program
  • Know the Rules - School Safety Tips
  • Know the Rules - From School to Home
What's missing from this list? 
Family Friendly Oakland
Safe Streets
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Neighborhood-friendly Leasing

5/4/2018

2 Comments

 
It’s hard to walk around in Oakland without noticing another new apartment building under construction. Before long, leasing offices will open and we will have thousands of new neighbors. How well will these new folks integrate into the fabric of existing communities? Will they shop in local stores? Join neighborhood cleanups? Do they plan on sticking around, or moving out to the suburbs when they need more space? What expectations do they have for the neighborhood?
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Marketing and leasing professionals play an influential role in deciding how buildings and neighborhoods are presented to newcomers. Through their slick brochures, well-appointed leasing offices, and apartment websites, these professionals curate first impressions for prospective tenants.
But take a look at the websites of the newest developments in town and you’ll notice there’s a problem. Marketing specialists and “Community Managers” are brought in to coordinate the lease-up, branding and marketing for the building, but their strategies illustrate a lack of connectivity and sensitivity to the surrounding area.  And it shows.
Fortunately, with a few adjustments, leasing activities can contribute to building a more cohesive neighborhood. If you are a marketing professional, leasing agent, or Community Manager, follow this guide to help bridge the divide between upscale leasing offices and local neighborhoods.

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Oakland's Kid-friendly festivals help build an Everyone-Friendly City

8/3/2017

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Oakland has a lot of festivals and annual events, but these stand-out community celebrations below go out of their way to be the kid-friendliest of their kind.  What make these events accessible and fun for all ages? In general the event organizers:
  • Plan and design around the interests and needs of parents, guardians and caregivers
  • Commit to creating a safe, inclusive and family-friendly atmosphere as an explicit part of their mission
  • Offer a range of activities for youth and children, in partnership with other local organizations
  • Market directly to parents and caregivers by including families and children in the event description and promotional photos
  • Provide specific kid-centered information on their website​
  • Ensure access is free, low cost and/or discounted for youth and seniors.

Lincoln Summer Nights - Summers

2017 marked the second year that Friends of Lincoln Square Park sponsored Lincoln Summer Nights, a first Friday outdoor event in the heart of Oakland Chinatown. According to event organizers, it's designed for every generation to celebrate together. There are no kids zones or set-aside children's stage, activities (like badminton) are everyone-friendly, and all are encouraged to mix it up and have fun.

2017 Partners include: Oakland Athletics, Lincoln Square Recreation Center, Oakland Parks and Recreation, Oakland Public Library, Asian Health Services, Aypal, The Spot Youth Center, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, and local businesses 
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2017 Dates for Lincoln Summer Nights

Oakland Pride  - September

Fun Fact: Did you know Oakland PRIDE is one of the most diverse and family friendly celebration in the country? According to their website, "A Family & Children's Garden within the FESTIVAL focuses on providing a fun and safe area for children and their parents/guardians with free programs and activities."

The Children's festival is hosted by Our Family Coalition. 2017 sponsors include: Kaiser Permanente, Children’s Fairyland, Oakland Public Library, Berkeley Public Library, Museum of Children’s Arts, Six Flags, Abundant Beginnings, Oakland Fire Department and Oakland Zoo.  
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From the 2017 Children's Festival Map

Art + Soul - September

Art+Soul has a long history of bringing people, art, music and kids to downtown Oakland. According to their website, "Art + Soul Oakland boasts the most exciting Family Fun Zone of any festival in the Bay Area. Children of all ages wiggle and giggle their way to a fun-filled afternoon of art & crafts, rides, games and more!"

​In 2017, the festival is partnering with LEGOJeep and Oakland's Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) to provide: Fun & Games, carnival rides, inflatable bouncers, interactive art and face painting.

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Promotional image from: artandsouloakland.com

Mountainview Cemetery Pumpkin Festival - October

This long-standing pumpkin festival takes place after the Piedmont Avenue Merchant Association's annual Halloween Parade. 

According to their website, "Children pick a free pumpkin and enjoy lots of other activities, including: several “jumper” inflatable funhouses, a hay-bale tunnel, a clown balloon artist, face painting, and a craft area to decorate pumpkins, masks, and treat bags.   
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from www.mountainviewcemetery.org/

East Bay Mini Maker Faire - October

​According to their website, the East Bay Mini Maker Faire features both established and emerging local “makers,” and, "is a family-friendly celebration featuring rockets and robots, digital fabrication, DIY science and technology, urban farming and sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, music and local food, and educational workshops and installations.
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from eastbay.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/93/

Oaktoberfest - Fall

According to their website, Oaktoberfest is hosted by the Dimond Improvement Association and the Dimond Business & Professional Association, and brings together elements of the district vision for a one day, everyone welcome, family-friendly craft beer festival.

The 2017 festival includes a  Parents' Chill Zone and Kid’s Area courtesy of Dimond Library, Oakland Parks and Rec, and Komodo Toys, as well as children’s entertainment presented on the Family Stage.
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Día de Los Muertos - October

The Día de los Muertos Festival is such a Oakland treasure that it was actually inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee as a “Local Legacy!”  Each year over 60,000 people of all ages join in the festivities which include  live music, Ballet folklorico, Aztec dancers, children's pavilion and  family-friendly activities, local artisan craft stands and incredible alters and other artistic installations. 

The Festival is sponsored by the Unity Council, in partnership with a wide range of community and corporate partners and supporters. 

​
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photo from the festival website at: unitycouncil.org

Children's Teach In - January

For the last few years, the Young Activists for Black Lives Coalition hosts a CHILDREN’S TEACH IN. According to their website, the event helps families talk to children (ages 3-13) about the historical and continuing injustices facing the black community, reclaiming Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy, and also discuss how we can move forward together. The event is followed by MLK's Radical Legacy March.
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Photo by Family Friendly Oakland
​The Young Activists for Black Lives Coalition includes: Abundant Beginnings, Rice and Beans Childcare Coop, Sama Sama, Radical Monarchs, Our Family Coalition and Bay Area SURJ (Children and Family)

​Bay Area International Children's Film Festival (March) 

Since 2009 BIACFF has brought movies from around the world to the Chabot Space and Science Center for 3 days of screenings, discussions and other workshops for all ages. According to their website, "BAICFF is an annual Playdate for the Imagination™ where education and imagination collide. The festival offers families a cinematic view of the world’s varied cultures and traditions. The films inspire curiosity and conversation, and allow children to experience a wide range of cultural perspectives."
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Oakland Running Festival - March

The Oakland running festival has quickly become a local favorite, a community running celebration through neighborhoods and showcase of everything we love about Oakland.  That's why we're thrilled that kids too can enjoy the Oakland Running Festival with their very own Kids Fun Run. There's a 7 and under course and an 8-12 course.  Participating youth get their own Kids Run t-shirt and a finisher's medal.  The festival also includes a "Kids Fun Zone."
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Pedalfest - July

According to their website, Pedalfest is, "Bike East Bay’s free celebration of cycling, family, food, and fun."  Kids activities include a kids' Bike Parade and Bike Rodeo, and kids' bike decorating station

Pedalfest is presented by Bay Area Bicycle Law and Drake’s Brewing. 
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image from http://pedalfestjacklondon.com/

Friday Nights at the Oakland Museum of of California 

Did you know children under 18 can get in free to the Oakland Museum on Fridays? Start your weekend off right at OMCA.  According to the event website, Fridays @ OMCA is a "family-friendly take on a festive night market, with the best in Bay Area curbside cuisine." Enjoy food trucks, live music, featured artists, a create marketplace and family-friendly drop-in workshops and dance lessons for all ages. 

Bring a picnic blanket and be sure to catch storytime with the Oakland Public Library from 6 to 6:30 pm.
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Square Dancing in the Garden courtyard

It's so much more than a fun time...

Local festivals, community celebrations and annual events like these are more fun and festive when people of all ages can come together to learn, participate and play. Just like our neighborhoods and communities. 
​

Let's extend the spirit and success of these events and build a more family-friendly city using the same strategies as these festivals.  Together, we can create a more kid-friendly, teen-friendly senior-friendly, EVERYONE-friendly city so that all Oaklanders can thrive in all of our neighborhoods, each and every day.  
Other Annual Events
Learn More
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Picture Books with City Kids

5/25/2017

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Kids are naturally drawn to city stuff. Dump trucks, tall buildings, elevators, sirens and even the wheels on the bus are all pretty exciting when you're a kid.

​But have you ever noticed that kids books typically feature families growing up in a house in the suburbs? Regardless of where you live, it's a refreshing change to read about a family growing up in a city. 
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The opening page of the Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss
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"The first place I belong is my house in the city."
- Line 35, Germano Zullo, illustrated by Albertine
We were inspired by a Next City post from a few years ago that featured picture books about life in the big city, so we decided to build on Anna Clark's list and add a few of our favorites books with kids (and kid-like animals) growing up in an urban environment.

These books feature apartment buildings, public transit, folks walking to get places, neighborhood retail, activism and even some great public spaces.  Find these books at your local public library, the Oakland Museum of California Store or your favorite independent bookstore:  

Books with an Oakland Connection

  • A is for Activist, A de Activista and Counting on Community - by Innosanto Nagara
  • ABC Oakland - by Michael Wertz Writer
  • My City is Oakland - by Kamaria Lofton, Illustrated by Steven Anderson
  • A City for Children - Women, Architecture, and the charitable landscapes of Oakland, 1850-1950 - Marta Gutman 
  • One Crazy Summer - by Rita Williams-Garcia 
  • Master of Mindfulness: How to Be Your Own Superhero in Times of Stress - by Laurie Grossman, Mr. Musumeci's 5th Grade Class, Angelina Alvarez (Contributor), Jon Kabat-Zinn (Foreword) 
  • The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook - by Joanne Rocklin
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Other Books with City Kids

  • Apt. 3 - by Ezra Jack Keats
  • Book of Cities - by Piero Ventura​
  • Busy Busy Town - Richard Scarry
  • City Block - by Christopher Franceschelli, Illustrations by Peskimo  
  • Corduroy - Don Freeman
  • Curious George - created by Margret and H.A. Rey
  • Good Morning City - by Pat Kiernan, Illustrated by Pascal Campion  
  • Good Night San Francisco - by Adam Gamble, Illustrated by Santiago Cohen  
  • Juna's Jar - By Jane Bahk, Illustrated by Felicia Hoshino
  • Last Stop Market Street  - By Matt De La Pena, Illustrated by Christian Robinson  
  • Lakas and the Manilatown Fish - by Anthony Robles, Illustrated by Carl Angel
  • Line 135 - by Germano Zullo, Illustrated by Albertine
  • Madlenka - by Peter Sis
  • Madeline - Written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • One Monday Morning by Uri Shulevitz 
  • Paddington Bear - by Michael Bond
  • The Brownstone - by Paula Scher
  • The Condo Kids - by Jackie Burns
  • Tar Beach  - by Faith Ringgold
  • They City Kid and the Suburb Kid - by Deb Pilutti, Linda Bleck  
  • Ultimate Book of Cities - by Anne-Sophie Baumann, Illustrated by Didier Balicevic
  • Umbrella by Taro Yashima
  • Where Things are from Near to Far - Tim Halbur and Editor Chris Steins, illustrations by artist David Ryan
  • Wild Ones: Observing City Creatures - by Carol L. Malnor, Illustrated by Cathy Morrison

Other Books

Share Your Favorites
What are your favorite stories featuring families in cities?
​Help us grow this list!
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A Newcomer's Guide to Oakland

4/20/2017

2 Comments

 
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Make yourself at home.

​Are you new to Oakland? Welcome! As you’ve probably already noticed, Oakland is a special place. But like all new places, it takes some time to get your bearings.To help ease your transition, Family Friendly Oakland has gathered the inside scoop from neighborhood leaders to create this welcome guide that includes important things you need to know, along with some tips to help you become a more engaged steward of our City. This is not an official City document, nor is it comprehensive in every way. But in lieu of a warm casserole delivered to your door, this is our neighborly effort to help you get in the Oakland groove.  

Step 1 - First things First

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If you’ve just moved here and aren’t sure where to start, check out these links to help you get set up and on your way to becoming an official resident of Oakland.
  • Enroll your students or get information on local childcare resources
  • Are you a new business? Get assistance , get a license
  • Wondering if you qualify for medical, food, and cash assistance programs? Find out and apply online.
  • Renting? Know your Oakland rights.
  • Just bought an investment property? Join EBRHA and learn the Oakland laws. 
    • Signup for the Rent Adjustment Program and get your business license.  Attend a tenant and landlord informational meeting. 
  • Turn on the lights - Contact PG&E 
  • Get your garbage, recycling and compost carts 
    • For stuff left over from the move and donations of salvageable goods, check out DonateOakland.org
    • For broken items too big for the trash and not salvageable, schedule a bulky pickup
    • Before you throw any thing away, check StopWaste.org for recycling and reuse information​​ or search RecycleWhere.org for disposal options.
  • Set up your water services account
  • Get your dog license from the City
  • Get a Library Card
    • Register for the Tool Library
    • Check out the Toy Lending Library
  • Register to Vote ​
  • Update your Driver's license and learn how to get around with this overview of  Oakland transit
    • ​Clipper Card and Signup for FasTrak​
    • Join Getaround to rent or share a car
    • Apply for a Residential Parking Permit  
    • Bookmark 511.org 
    • Get your Walk Oakland! map at a local Oakland bookstore
  • Extra moving boxes?
    • ​Turn them into gardens by sharing them with local sheet mulchers. Post to the From Lawn to Garden Facebook page and donate your boxes
    • Post on Craigslist's free section
  • Get the basics locally (shower curtains, sponges, toilet brushes, dish racks, housewares etc..) at ​KP Asian Market (Housewares annex), Cole Hardware Rockridge, or Grand Lake Ace Hardware. Head to Jack London Square to stock up at Markus Supply Ace, Bed Bath and Beyond, Cost Plus and nearby Smart and Final in Old Oakland or Chanco Housewares in Chinatown. 

Step 2 - Safety check

Here are some tips to keep you safe and strategies to help you better respond in an emergency.

If you see a life threatening emergency or crime actively in progress and are calling on a landline, call 9-1-1. If calling from a cell phone within Oakland, call 911 or 510-777-3211 (Oakland Emergency). To report an incident or crime after the fact or to report suspicious activity that is not life-threatening, call the non-emergency number 510-777-3333 (Oakland Non-Emergency)​.  ​
Put these numbers in your phone:
​

Oakland Emergency: 911 or 510-777-3211
Non-Emergency: 510-777-3333

Report gas leaks and other gas/electrical emergencies: 
1-800-743-5000
Fire (medical or fire) emergency: 510-444-1616 (or 911 from a land line)
Public Works: 510-615-5566
City Maintenance Issues: 311 - [email protected] -
Oak311 online

Report blight in public areas: 510-238-3381
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  • Sign up for Nixle alerts  for urgent text and email updates from the Oakland Police Department (and others). 
  • Review Oakland Safety Tips from the Oakland Police Department and learn how to report crimes in Oakland (including dumping, online reporting and how to respond depending on the incident type) 
  • Find out if your neighborhood has a CORE committee and join their lists. Eventually, you can get CORE trained to help you, your family and neighbors respond in an emergency
  • Join (or start) an Oakland Neighborhood Watch group
  • Print out these Helpful Phone Numbers at the City of Oakland (pdf)    
  • Bookmark these Helpful links and resources for Residents​ 
  • Make sure your home is safe and your household is prepared for an earthquake, and in particular, The Big One. 
  • If you live in an apartment, homeowner or condo association, make sure you have the manager's emergency and non-emergency number handy and understand the emergency procedures. 
  • If you live in the hills, be sure to familiarize yourself with the history of the 1991 Oakland Firestorm and annual wildfire inspections.  Check out the public safety resources of the North Hills Community Association. 
  • Sign up for PGE alerts and notifications.


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"Kids need not apply...." A closer look at Fair Housing and Families

4/7/2017

 

Take the Fair Housing challenge

How long does it take to find hints of housing discrimination against families online?
​Less than one minute.  
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April is Fair Housing Month, in recognition of the Fair Housing Act, which bans discrimination against seven protected classes in housing practices. Buyers and renters have the right to housing, regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability.

But what exactly does familial status mean? In a nutshell, landlords and sellers can't refuse to rent or sell to a household with children and they can't set alternate terms for leasing or selling. Doing so violates federal Fair Housing laws.

According to the National Fair Housing Alliance, "Familial status" means having a child under age 18 in the household, whether living with a parent, a legal custodian, or their designee. It also covers a woman who is pregnant, and people in the process of adopting or gaining custody of child/children.


Look for these signs of housing discrimination against families with children:
  • Allowing only one child per bedroom
  • Charging a higher security deposit for families with kids
  • Limiting families with children to the first floor or certain buildings
  • Refusing to rent to families with children ​
​
Why is Familial Status a protected class? According to HUD's recent press release kicking off the month:

"Every type of discrimination robs individuals and families of their right to choose where to live, but one form of discrimination HUD is particularly active in addressing is discrimination against families with children, known as familial status discrimination. Each year, approximately 12 percent of complaints are filed with HUD alleging this type of discrimination. State and local fair housing groups that partner with HUD in fighting discrimination also describe familial status discrimination as being one of their priority areas, as anecdotal evidence shows that it is often a proxy for race discrimination. In addition to the loss of housing, this type of discrimination has a destabilizing effect that prevents families from positioning themselves in ways that enable the next generation to take advantage of all this country has to offer."  

Learn more about Fair Housing at  www.hud.gov/fairhousing. Call HUD to report housing discrimination at 1-800-669-9777 or report online.

California Laws protect individuals from housing discrimination based on:
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Familial status
  • Race, color
  • Ancestry, national origin
  • Religion
  • Disability, mental or physical
  • Sex, gender
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity, gender expression
  • Genetic information
  • Source of income ​
Information on filing a complaint in California is available online. 
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Public Street Art builds Community

3/21/2017

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Update! 


September 20, 2017: The City of Oakland is moving forward with a pilot program after all! They will be selecting 30 sites in the coming months to kick off the Paint the Town program. This is exciting news as it will bring color and community out into our streets.

​We are thankful that we had an opportunity to share our ideas (listed below) with OakDOT staff in person, and we're especially pleased that our proposed name for the program was selected as the winning name! 

​Our original post is below. 
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The City of Oakland just announced their new program: Paint the Town!

Let's Paint the Town safer. 

As part of Oakland's new transportation strategic plan, one of the top priorities is to “Integrate art and playfulness into Oakland’s infrastructure.”   As we've recently learned, the Great Streets Division is responsible for following up and developing a formal program

This priority fits right in with our Play Oakland belief that playful places build better bonds—among kids, neighbors, and communities—and those relationships are the foundation for thriving neighborhoods.  It also fits in with our safe streets plan to improve pedestrian safety, particularly around schools. 

Painted intersections and playful crosswalks are fun, attractive, and achieve multiple goals. Not only are they a traffic calming intervention, but when completed in collaboration with residents they can also increase neighborhood pride and strengthen community stewardship.  

A few community-driven painted streets have popped up around town over the years, but now that art + play + infrastructure is an explicit priority, we're hoping to see a lot more in the near future.  ​​​
Learn More about Safe Streets

A Head Start

​Thankfully, Oakland doesn't have to start from scratch to develop a painted streets policy. Portland has a colorful street paintings program, Seattle has a standard approval process, and KaBoom, the leader of the Play Everywhere movement, has sponsored multiple playful street and sidewalk projects in cities around the country. ​
​In fact, there are no shortage of cities that have already implemented programs and we can review their policies when drafting our own. See below for a list of cities and links to their programs and policies. 

Oakland also knows how to run a community stewardship program! Our City's 
award-winning Adopt-A-Spot program empowers citizens to plant gardens in street medians, maintain storm drains and beautify litter containers and utility boxes with mosaics and murals.  OakDOT can learn from this program, and build on its success.  

Next Steps

According to the OakDOT plan, the next step is to develop an arts policy for integrating art into our infrastructure, produce guidance for materials and maintenance and implement a pilot project.  However, according to our recent meeting with city staff, the City is no longer planning on implementing a pilot program. Instead, they are actively working  on drafting guidance for projects which will clarify City requirements and the process for seeking approval. The program guidelines will be brought to the Public Works Committee for approval sometime this year. 
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p. 51 of OakDOT's Strategic Plan

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It's time to Reinvest in Lincoln Square Park and the Recreation Center 

3/7/2017

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Update! 

Thank you for coming out and sharing your ideas! Over 250 people attended CM Guillen's community workshop, including seniors, students, school administrators and community organizations.

Things are already happening, including new courts inside and out, thanks to the Warriors and the Kevin Durant Community Foundation, LISC, ESPN, Finishline Youth Foundation, and Good Tidings. 

We're looking forward to seeing what other improvements are in the works! 
For more information, follow Friends of Lincoln Square Park on facebook, twitter and instagram to keep up with the latest news and updates on this campaign to improve this beloved park and recreation center, the heart of Oakland Chinatown. ​

The original post: 
If you love Chinatown's Lincoln Square Park and the Rec Center, now's the time to get involved.  ​
Councilmember Guillen is hosting a community meeting and you need to be there. 

​​Lincoln Square Park Recreation Center and the surrounding Park are the heart of the Oakland Chinatown community, and the location for annual events, seasonal community celebrations, monthly movie nights and daily programming. 

Did you know the recreation center is Oakland’s busiest center?  Every week, over 2,000 registered participants of all ages use the indoor recreation center, and more than 30,000 people drop in for activities each month. Lincoln Elementary school next to the park uses the play areas and recreation center for recess and after-school activities. ​
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Download Flyer
Lincoln Square Park Recreation Center Community Meeting
March 20th, 2017 - 2:30-4:00pm
250 10th Street, Oakland Chinatown
Come share your ideas with Councilmember Guillen

Here's the Problem

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It's been 40 years since any major improvements have been done to the recreation center. The slide on the popular junk ship play structure has been broken for months and the windows of the recreation center leak whenever it rains. Toe tot lot has a boarded up hole where the slide was removed. The classrooms are small and often over crowded and the recreation center staff have to turn away groups because there isn’t enough space to accommodate the demand. ​The aging facilities have served the community well over the generations, but it is in need of critical investments that can no longer be delayed. 

Meanwhile, the longer we wait, the busier it gets. Up until the early 2000's the park was primarily used by the adjacent Lincoln Elementary School's 500 students, small groups of local Asian teenagers, and very few seniors. About that time, the School District expanded the number of public charter schools and implemented an open enrollment policy which allowed families to enroll in non-neighborhood schools. Over the years, as many as five charter schools have been operating within a few blocks of the park, increasing the usage significantly.  

By 2010, Lincoln Elementary replaced their portables with a modern multi-story building and expanded their enrollment to nearly 750 students. In total, there are now nearly 2,000 school-aged students within a half mile that use the park on a regular basis.  As many as 75% of the students attending these schools do not live in the area, and commute in by bus and car on a daily basis. 

Furthermore, with no-large scale public senior center in Oakland Chinatown, active adults began converging at the park and in the Recreation Center. What was once a handful of seniors has since become over several thousand for both informal and formal activities.  Future development will bring over 5,000 new residents within a half mile, so the park usage will continue to grow.  

The community has been waiting for a very long time for a new and improved center. Thanks to the City's partnership with the Warriors Community Foundation and the generosity of Kevin Durant and his charity foundation, there will be some refurbished basketball courts coming soon.  This is a great start, and an amazing opportunity to jumpstart renovations on the rec center.

Get Involved

The Lincoln Square Park community wants to build a modern recreation center that reflects the community and is large enough to accommodate the growing demand.  Imagine a new upgraded park and recreation center,  where every generation has an opportunity build community and contribute to the rich history and cultural legacy of Oakland Chinatown.
​The community needs your voice and your ideas to make something happen.  Help share your ideas and create a place for the next generation of families in Chinatown. ​​See you on the 20th! 
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Not All Artists Are Young. Or Single.

1/9/2017

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On Dec. 3, the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland became the deadliest in the city’s history, claiming the lives of 36 individuals. The warehouse inferno also consumed an event venue and artist collective that up to two dozen people—many of them artists—called home.
In the weeks since the fire, there's been no shortage of reporting on the many factors that set the scene for this tragedy, including the lack of coordination between public agencies, the disregard for common safety measures, and the broader housing crisis that disproportionately affects artists.
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And yet, there has been little reported on the fact that for the past few years, a family that included three young children was living in the Ghost Ship in unsafe and substandard living conditions. While the subtenants who made the warehouse their home opted into the collective, the children likely had little choice in the matter. While their lives were thankfully spared, their improvised home was not.

Given the circumstances, it’s not enough to characterize artists simply as individuals in need of affordable places to create and live. We need to first understand that artists are a very diverse group, with a range of incomes, ages, and household sizes. And as the victims of the fire have demanded, we also need strong rental protections, eviction controls, and safe and affordable spaces for those who have been marginalized by society to gather and collaborate.
But if we genuinely want to make room for our artistic communities to thrive, we need to consider them within the full circle of life.


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Family Friendly Affordable Artist Housing

1/4/2017

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If Oakland wants to build more family friendly affordable artist housing, we don’t have to start from scratch. Other cities have been creating a range of developments that integrate family friendly affordable housing with artist housing. We can learn from them. Here are four developments that we'd like to learn more about. Did they live up to their promise? 

Artspace Tannery Lofts - Santa Cruz, CA

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Artspace Tannery Lofts has over 100 units of new affordable housing for individual artists and their families. The Lofts include studio, one, two and three bedroom units. Read or listen to  KQED's Jan 2016 story on the these Lofts. 

Artspace Jackson Flats - Minneapolis, MN

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A 35-unit affordable rental housing project for artists and their families,  by Artspace, in partnership with Northeast Community Development Corporation.

Designed with an emphasis on families, Artspace Jackson Flats features more two- and three-bedroom units than traditional developments and has a open green space with a playground. 

According to the Line, "Children can often lend to the creative and collaborative environment Artspace seeks to foster. Kids are often the first to break down communication walls, running through the halls and forming relationships with other children in the building."


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