The California Department of Social Services has awarded Oakland a $3.5 million grant to expand the safety ambassador and mediator program in downtown and Chinatown to help combat crime, which has been a well documented problem in the East Bay's largest city.
The money is to be used in conjunction with a community based organization called Family Bridges, which will help expand the mediator program.
The community mediators are trained to help de-escalate calls that are nonemergency and nonmedical. They free up paramedics and police officers so those first responders can handle more serious situations.
"This program will promote safer and more secure streets while improving outcomes for people in crisis. Oakland is aggressively pursuing a comprehensive and community safety strategy," Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said.
Several demonstrators showed up at Wednesday morning's news conference, urging a recall of Thao. At one point, there was a disruption when the mayor spoke as one of her supporters got into a physical confrontation with one of the demonstrators.
"I just want to say I love every single one of you. You all with signs, you all here standing behind us. This is our democracy," Thao said.
Seneca Scott, who is leading the recall efforts, filed a police report and plans to sue the city of Oakland, claiming he was assaulted by two different people, including being punched in the face.
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"They got aggressive with us from the moment we showed up. There is exhaustive documentation of it, including escalating to the point I was physically attacked. I never struck back," Scott said.
Meanwhile, KANO Special Services, a group of safety activist are also filing charges, claiming Scott is the one who assaulted one of their members.
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"There is no assault here, That is false. That is just false. It never happened. There are a thousand videos there. You won't find one person that said or seen or anything covering that I physically touched that man," said Shedrick Henry with KANO Special Services.
Police responded but it wasn't clear if there were any arrests.
The disruption did not stop the announcement of the millions awarded to Family Bridges.
"We address the needs of people as incidents may arise, right? And so we are proactively building relationships as a way to provide additional safety," said Heidi Wong with Family Bridges.
The three-year grant will allow for an expansion of the downtown program to add more ambassadors throughout the city, an effort business owners believe will make a difference.
“Grants like this is what is going to help bring that healing,” said business owner Viviana Rodriguez-Smith.
