Stopping gun violence in Oakland: on the podcast

"Host Tasneem Raja talks with Oaklandside's public safety reporter Roselyn Romero about Oakland's gun violence prevention programs. They discuss: The Ceasefire strategy that identifies high-risk individuals and surrounds them with both support and accountability How violence interrupters like Youth Alive's Doral Myles mediate conflicts before they escalate How victims and perpetrators of violence often come from the same communities How teenagers with Youth Alive teach kids and adults about the root causes of violence and managing conflicts The challenge of maintaining these programs through political and funding changes"

"Plus: Oakland's nine-year struggle to regulate short-term rentals like Airbnbs, a controversial proposal that could criminalize homelessness, free field trips to the Oakland Museum, and restaurant openings and closures around town. Arts reporter Azucena Rasilla closes with weekend activities including East Oakland filmmaker Anthony Lucero's hometown premiere of Paper Bag Plan, Brazilian jazz at The Sound Room, the Oakland Chinatown Night Market, and the 23rd Oakland International Film Festival."

"We can't cover Oakland - and produce this podcast! - without your help It's the eighth episode! We're experimenting with 10 episodes of a new weekly news show. This is a pilot - if we can keep this going, we will! The Oaklandside is independent, nonprofit, and supported by everyday residents. Every dollar helps us file public records requests, interview sources, crunch data, and more."

Oakland's gun violence is falling but remains significantly high, prompting intensified prevention efforts. City-funded, civilian-led programs use the Ceasefire strategy to identify high-risk individuals and surround them with support and accountability. Violence interrupters such as Youth Alive's Doral Myles mediate conflicts to prevent escalation. Many victims and perpetrators come from the same communities, and teenagers with Youth Alive teach residents about violence roots and conflict management. Sustaining these programs faces political and funding challenges. Oakland also faces a nine-year struggle to regulate short-term rentals, debates over proposals affecting homelessness, free museum field trips, and evolving restaurant and arts events.

Read at The Oaklandside