City of Oakland California

The Neighborhood Services Division coordinates fifteen programs, events and functions that involve residents and merchants in the City's community-policing program. We build grassroots leadership skills as residents work in partnership with the police to solve problems. Neighborhood Services fosters resident and merchant participation at three levels: on the block, in the neighborhood and citywide.

Community members are actively involved in crime-prevention activities and programs throughout the city. The City of Oakland is proud to participate in annual events that support, educate and honor the people who act as the eyes and ears of their communities.

		National Night Out (NNO) NNO is a unique worldwide event that boosts awareness about how citizens can help prevent drug use and crime. Held annually on the first Tuesday in August, NNO has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program promoting neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. This year National Night Out will be held on August 6.  To find out about how you and your neighborhood can participate in this year's festivities, click here.
		Community Summit The last Summit was held in 2008. Due to budget constraints there will not be a Summit in 2010. Instead, there will be a series of trainings for block and neighborhood leaders.  A schedule will be posted in early 2010. For more information, contact Felicia Verdin, fverdin@oaklandnet.com, (510) 238-3128.

Our programs foster resident and merchant participation at three levels.

At the block level, residents and merchants are encouraged to form Neighborhood Watch or Merchant Watch groups to meet each other, learn crime prevention techniques, and work together to solve block-level problems.

At the neighborhood level, Neighborhood Watch captains and others who are interested in broadening their skills and working on behalf of the neighborhood are encouraged to participate in their Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). Fifty-three NCPCs across the City generally meet monthly. A representative from the Oakland Police Department attends the NCPC meetings and works with residents to address the three crime priorities they’ve chosen.

At the citywide level, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the annual Community Summit and other programs and events that bring active residents together to network, build skills, and discuss issues.

Other programs managed by the Neighborhood Services Division—such as Youth and Senior Safety programs and the Citizens’ Police Academy—support the three core programs by providing crime prevention education and training, or by acting as entry points for involvement in civic and community life.

Contact Us
250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 6303
Oakland, CA 94612
phone: (510) 986-2715
fax: (510) 238-7685
nsdadmin@oaklandnet.com
 

Organization Chart

The Neighborhood Services Division consists of twenty-six staff members.

Program staff consists of non-sworn members of the Oakland Police Department including four Police Services Technicians and fourteen Neighborhood Services Coordinators.

The City-County Neighborhood Initiative is funded through Measure Y and its program staff includes two Community Building Coordinators.

The Neighborhood Services Division provides presentations to the community or to businesses on many safety related topics. Presentations can be chosen from the list below. In addition, presentations can be individually designed for specific audiences that combine topics or address specific concerns and issues. For more information contact Eddie Simlin, Police Service Technician, (510) 238-6200 or esimlin@oaklandnet.com.

Safety Presentations
Businesses, schools, groups and organizations can request special presentations on personal safety and other topics of concern.

For more information, contact Brenda Ivey at (510) 238-3091 or bivey@oaklandnet.com.

Home Security Survey
This checklist gives an indication of the security of your home. Every ‘no’ checked shows a weak point that may help a burglar gain access to your home. To improve your security, attempt to eliminate the boxes checked ‘no.’ Go through the list systematically. Remember this checklist only points out your weak areas. Complying with these guidelines will not make your home burglar proof, but it will improve your protection. Download the Home Security Survey.

Senior Safety
Police visit senior centers and residences to provide information and training on personal safety, avoiding scams, and other topics. For more information, visit our Senior Safety Page.

Youth Safety
Preschool and elementary school students are given safety techniques such as not talking to strangers, using 911, and earthquake preparedness. Children are also fingerprinted for parents’ home records. For more information, visit our Youth Safety page.

Local Resources for Volunteer Groups

• Grants and In-Kind Support for Community Groups

National Resources

• National Crime Prevention Council
• The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• SafeState
• California Crime Prevention Officer's Association
• National Neighborhood Watch Institute
• Citizen Corps Neighborhood Watch Program
  
• USAonWatch
• National Night Out

Citizens’ Police Academy and Alumni Association
This 14-week program held twice a year provides community members with an overview of OPD functions and a forum for police-citizen dialogue. Graduates of the Citizens’ Police Academy continue their association with OPD through the Citizens’ Police Alumni Association where they participate in special projects such as Officer Appreciation Day and fundraising for department needs.

Volunteers in Policing
This program recruits and places residents in volunteer positions within the OPD.

For information about volunteer programs contact Brenda Ivey at (510) 238-3091 or bivey@oaklandnet.com.