Vote YES on Measure R - Violence Prevention Tax
Measure R will authorize the city of Oakland to authorize a special parcel tax, subject to audit by a citizen's oversight committee for the purposes of providing (1) job training and employment opportunities for you adults; (1) counseling and mentoring for at-risk youth; (3) afterschool, parent involvement, and violence prevention programs in schools; (4) early childhood intervention for children exposed to violence in the home; and (5) community based policing programs. The cost is $90 addition per year for homeowners.

Once again, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce has shown a complete disrespect for our community by saying in the Oakland Business Review, February 2004 edition, that they are against this measure with no explanation.

Councilwoman Nancy Nadel authored the Measure while another Councilman, Danny Wan, is against it. Nadel says that the measure will help combat the city's rise in violent crime and homicides that has occurred over the past two years by raising $10 million annually. Some $4.4 million would go to hire police officers, and the rest would be distributed to crime-prevention programs for both teens and adults.

Meanwhile Councilman Danny Wan says that the measure does not outline a clear approach to crime reduction, nor does it include partnerships with other county agencies to help battle and prevent crime. He also says that there is no evaluation of the effectiveness of the program.

I'm going to address the issue of public oversight and evaluation in another article. Meanwhile, VOTE YES ON Q!


Posted 2/09/2004