Roselyn Romero

Oakland

Public Safety and Small Business Reporter at The Oaklandside

Pronounced ROSE-lin, not RAWZ-lin. Reporting on public safety @Oaklandside. DMs are off the record. She/her. @aaja 🇵🇭 DM for Signal. Bluesky: roselynr

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Articles

New report links crime to Oakland’s budget crisis

2 days ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

Crime and chronic underinvestment in public safety have weakened Oakland’s economy, according to a recent report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, a San Francisco-based think tank. The 57-page study, published earlier this month, argues that Oakland’s high crime rate relative to similar-sized cities, persistent police understaffing, and erosion of public trust in government have made residents and visitors less willing to patronize Oakland businesses.
Should Alameda County eliminate pepper spray from juvenile detention?

1 week ago | berkeleyside.org | Roselyn Romero

The first time Dieudonné Brou was pepper-sprayed, he was 11 years old. When he was incarcerated at Alameda County Juvenile Hall in San Leandro, he’d gotten into a fight with another boy. While trying to break them up, a correctional officer pepper-sprayed Brou and the other boy and forced them back into their respective cells. Brou, now 37, doesn’t remember exactly how long he remained in his cell before being allowed to shower and rinse his eyes.
Should Alameda County eliminate pepper spray from juvenile detention?

1 week ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

The first time Dieudonné Brou was pepper-sprayed, he was 11 years old. When he was incarcerated at Alameda County Juvenile Hall in San Leandro, he’d gotten into a fight with another boy. While trying to break them up, a correctional officer pepper-sprayed Brou and the other boy and forced them back into their respective cells. Brou, now 37, doesn’t remember exactly how long he remained in his cell before being allowed to shower and rinse his eyes.
How is Oakland preparing for immigration enforcement actions?

2 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Eli Wolfe |Roselyn Romero

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump sparked a national uproar when he deployed thousands of National Guard troops to support immigration enforcement agents carrying out raids and arrests in Los Angeles. 510-241-4011 — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-FTrump said he wants to “liberate” Los Angeles, invoking a federal statute that is supposed to be used in the event of a domestic rebellion or foreign invasion, conditions that California’s leaders say aren’t present.
Marvin Boomer's family, friends grieve at open-casket service

3 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Jose Fermoso |Roselyn Romero

Dozens of people attended a press conference and open-casket service at Acts Full Gospel Church in East Oakland on Friday to remember Marvin Boomer, who was killed by a man fleeing the CHP in Oakland last week. The cloudless, sunny day belied the tragic reason for the gathering. Michelle Bernard, an attorney and spokesperson for the Boomer family, said that the family is grieving, but also feeling righteous indignation.
Ex-Alameda County district attorney criticizes new top prosecutor

3 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

One week after Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson touted her accomplishments from her first 100 days in office, former DA Pamela Price spoke out against the newly appointed DA, slamming her for undoing several reforms that Price had implemented and accusing her of “corruption and nepotism.” She said Jones Dickson is “rebuilding the pipeline to prison.” In February, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors appointed Jones Dickson, a former superior court judge and prosecutor,...
Gov. Newsom pushed for more police chases in Oakland. After bystander death, critics say he should ‘own it’

3 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

Calling Oakland’s crime rates “alarming and unacceptable,” Gov. Gavin Newsom sent California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland last year in a “surge operation.” In doing so, the governor threw his weight into a years-long political debate in the city over whether police should chase more suspects — and used the CHP to demonstrate the more aggressive style of policing he’d like to see.
Community mourns Marvin Boomer, Oakland teacher killed after CHP chase

4 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Jose Fermoso |Roselyn Romero

Students, teachers, and residents of Oakland’s Clinton neighborhood gathered at 12th Avenue and E. 21st Street Friday evening to remember the life of Marvin Boomer. Boomer was killed Wednesday around 7:45 p.m. when a suspect fleeing from the California Highway Patrol struck a fire hydrant, which broke off and smashed into the Castlemont High School teacher, who was out walking with his wife.
Alameda County’s recently appointed DA is focused on ‘lifting up victims of crime’

4 weeks ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is refocusing its attention on prosecutions and “lifting up victims of crime.”That was District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson’s main message at a press conference in the René C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland on Thursday. Sworn in as the new DA on Feb. 18, Jones Dickson was selected by the county Board of Supervisors to replace Pamela Price, whom voters recalled in November 2024.
MACRO isn’t working the way it should, Oakland residents say

1 month ago | oaklandside.org | Roselyn Romero

MACRO, Oakland’s non-police response program that addresses quality of life issues and helps people experiencing homelessness and some behavioral health issues, is in dire need of reform, according to a range of people, including some who have supported the program as well as critics. Launched in April 2022 and housed in the Oakland Fire Department, the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland program diverts non-emergency calls from the Oakland Police Department to unarmed civilians.