as featured in The Post, October 14, 2021
Oakland is finally nearing implementation of a model program that will provide a humane alternative model for low-level emergency calls that do not require a police response.
Faith in Action East Bay (FAIEB) and other members of the Coalition for Police Accountability were deeply involved in a year-long community process, especially in targeted neighborhoods, that included town halls, participatory research, and stakeholder meetings, to develop an appropriate program unique to Oakland.
Two significant concerns were emphasized. Oaklanders overwhelmingly believe that hiring and training diverse, qualified residents that reflect the community they serve is essential to building public trust.
We always knew that we would have to fight for good pay and benefits.
“If they’re hiring us, what kind of jobs will they be?” was the common question. In February 2019, FIAEB members prepared lunch for 70 unhoused neighbors testifying to the Oakland Police Commission. We heard repeatedly: “when we have emergencies, we need someone to call — who is not the police.”
Out of that, came the inspiration for the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO), focusing on:
- A non-police response to appropriate low-level 911 calls;
- Centering de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and connecting residents to local services;
- Well-trained community responders, who reflect the neighborhoods they serve;
- Excellent jobs that attract exceptional candidates and have low turn-over;
- A dedicated MACRO phone number for residents who don’t want to call 911;
- Community engagement in pilot development and implementation.
Despite the city administration’s attempt to undermine the design of MACRO, we can ensure that it succeeds by calling on our councilmembers to give clear direction to the city that:
- MACRO job descriptions accurately reflect the complex, challenging nature of these emergency response jobs and remove unnecessary requirements that block otherwise qualified applicants who are from the neighborhoods they serve.
- Ensure $70,000 salaries to fairly compensate MACRO responders and ensure a stable workforce. This is work previously done by police officers who are paid almost double. Impacted Oakland neighborhoods need and deserve good jobs.
- Do not divert 42% of MACRO’s staff budget to unnecessary highly paid positions that do not meet the core mission of emergency response.
Black and Brown folk have long done similar, low-paid, devalued work in homeless outreach, violence interruption, and drug counseling. Alternative crisis response is a new, expanding job market. Other jurisdictions are already expanding initial pilots. This is the moment to make sure MACRO responders are properly compensated, can afford to live in Oakland, and can become long-term experts at serving our community.
This is the moment for our City Council to insist that MACRO be implemented for success.