Shalom of Oakland

I just had the privilege of meeting a couple more OPD (Oakland Police Department) officers.  They have recently begun "walking the beat" again in certain areas.  Over here on MacArthur in Deep East, they have been parking a couple blocks over on the corner of 76th and Mac and walking through once a day, trying to establish relationships with store owners and local residents.  The neighbors here appreciate the work.  Just one walk through a day has dramatically reduced drug sales and increased safety here.  It's an old school way to police that seems to work well from my vantage point.  People begin to know the officers instead of making assumptions.  Let's hope that with the budget cuts that are coming there are still some police walking the beats in the hot spots of Oaktown.

The Shalom Community Center just got a brand new basketball hoop for the backyard.  Props to Tony, Jerry and Jerry for donation and construction.  The assembly was no joke.

Enjoying life in the Shalom Community Center.  Gettin to know the crew that hangs out on MacArthur in the 70's.  Never a dull moment.  One good thing is that people are finally realizing I don't hand out money.

I'm looking forward to the Melrose High Hopes NCPC (Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council) Meeting for Beat 27X, where I have the honor of serving as the Vice Chair.  We're working on unleashing a new website to better connect with neighbors, and we're throwing a Block Party on July 25.  Now if we can only help out the Melrose Library that may soon be closed most of the week due to budget cuts.