(Letter Sent to neighborhood emails lists and Oakland News outlets and East Bay Express during Libby's candidacy for mayor)
Libby strongly supports crime prevention activists; and she has failed to challenge or correct them when they make mean, hurtful, or threatening statements. She has repeatedly failed to address profiling, bullying and threatening statements directed at minority families, mixed families and minority youth in her district throughout her tenure as council person.
In April and May of 2012 the youth swarms at MacArthur Blvd. and Fruitvale created a real crisis, people were frightened and upset but there were emails advocating vigilante justice. There was an email describing African American youth as looking like monkeys and there was the suggestion that neighbors bring their dogs down to Fruitvale and MacArthur to confront the gatherings of minority youth. This was hurtful and regrettable and even a modicum of leadership from Libby or her office (who was working with the “Beat Feet” group) could have mitigated this escalation and kept our community more whole and safe.
Libby’s strong sympathies toward crime prevention enthusiasts has been consistent throughout her tenure as council person. She has never spoken up for community members who are bullied, when these crime prevention champions or programs, step over lines and frighten and intimidate minority families, mixed families and or minority youth.
The most recent incident that comes to mind is the private patrol shooting of a burglary suspect. My family was very concerned about the use of deadly force by a neighborhood hired (private patrol) and we were shocked and frightened by some of our neighbor’s emails and reactions. We had no idea the guard was armed or that so many neighbors would celebrate a shooting. My husband sent Libby a letter asking for leadership and her position on this incident. Councilperson Schaaf again failed to respond.
Libby’s repeated failures to represent a diversity of views in the Dimond neighborhood has not made us a stronger or safer neighborhood. As a candidate who is running for citywide office, she must represent all of Oakland and she must speak to and for many different people; I have yet to see her do this.