Alameda briefs: City handling domestic violence, elder, child abuse cases

ALAMEDA

The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit of the Alameda City Attorney’s Office has formally commenced handling domestic violence, elder abuse and child abuse cases within the city of Alameda. This effort fulfills the last remaining category of prosecutorial work directed by Alameda voters in their approval of 2020’s Measure AA.

Measure AA, in an effort to strengthen local control and accountability, directed the City Attorney’s Office to prosecute all California misdemeanor offenses, including “wobbler” offenses (crimes that could be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors) on suspicion of which individuals are arrested in the city of Alameda. Since its passage, the City Attorney’s Office has worked collaboratively with the Alameda Police Department (APD) and the District Attorney’s Office to onboard this assignment.

The office’s Prosecution and Public Rights Unit reviewed 220 cases referred by APD in 2020. That number increased 317% to 698 cases in 2022. In 2023, under the leadership of Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Julia Gonzales, a respected leader in intimate partner and family violence prosecution, the unit has begun the effort to handle domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse cases. In June, the unit reviewed 11 domestic violence, elder abuse or child abuse cases referred by APD and filed charges in seven of them.

“The Alameda Police Department values the partnership and collaboration with the Alameda City Attorney’s Office,” said Alameda police Chief Nishant Joshi. “The work being done is incredible and provides another layer of support for public safety.”

To report an issue to the office’s prosecution unit or ask questions of its staff, call 510-747-4772 or email cityprosecutor@alamedacityattorney.org.

— city of Alameda

Council to consider West Midway Project at next meeting

The Alameda Planning Board unanimously approved the West Midway Project in May, advancing the development agreement to the Alameda City Council on July 18.

Council meeting agenda item 7-E also includes approval of the disposition and development agreement for the project, which calls for the team of Catellus and Brookfield to build about 478 housing units, 10,000 square feet of nonresidential uses and associated infrastructure and open space on approximately 26 acres of land at Alameda Point.

The project also includes a collaboration with RESHAP partners (agenda item 7-D). MidPen Housing will construct new supportive housing for the Alameda Point Collaborative, Operation Dignity and Building Futures for Women and Children.

The West Midway Project is part of the implementation of the RESHAP project and Alameda’s 2023-2031 Housing Element. To attend the council meeting via Zoom, visit bit.ly/3XLG5HD online.

— Vox Populi PR

Summer concerts to benefit group’s school supplies drive

Put on your dancing shoes and join the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) for their summer concerts at South Shore Shopping Center to benefit the group’s school supply drive.

The first concert was last week’s 4th of July Family Festival with The Sun Kings. Other concerts will be from 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday and the two following Saturdays, July 22 and 29. The concerts will be held at the outdoor stage in front of Trabocco Restaurant and include the bands East Bay Mudd, The Best Intentions and Pure Ecstasy.

Purchasing beverages at the concerts will support the AEF’s annual backpack and school supply drive for low-income students. The group will have beer from Alameda Island Brewing Co. and wine from downtown’s Craft Beer & Wine on the Island.

This year, 900 transitional kindergarten through 12th grade students are counting on the AEF to help them start off the new school year with the supplies they need for success, so the AEF hopes to raise $20,000 to that end. To donate to the school supplies program or view details about the summer concerts, visit alamedaeducationfoundation.org/events online.

— AEF

City in running for up to $1M from Public Art Challenge

Bloomberg Philanthropies has picked the city of Alameda as one of the group’s 17 finalist cities in the running to receive up to $1 million as part of its Public Art Challenge. This unique grant program supports public art projects that address important local civic issues in cities across the country.

Alameda’s proposed project, “Rising Tides,” is meant to increase awareness of climate change and sustainable economic development by commissioning a series of visual and performing art works at Alameda Point (the former Naval Air Station Alameda), an area vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Visit publicartchallenge.bloomberg.org to learn more about the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge and stay tuned for updates on Alameda’s proposed project.

— city of Alameda

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