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Friday, Jul. 3, 2020

Does Oakland plan to abolish its school system’s police department?

Jiyul Kim, Gigafact Foundry
yes

On June 24, the Oakland, California, school board unanimously voted to abolish its school police force, resolving to disband the force before the start of the next school year. It called for a “community-driven process” to develop a new safety plan for schools.

The $2.5 million spent each year will be redirected toward other student support services such as counselors and social workers and “restorative justice” efforts, eliminating 67 jobs.

Oakland is one of only 23 districts in the state with its own police force. A long debate about the force’s role intensified after nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.

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