Oakland saw a historic drop in homicides in 2025—the fewest since 1967. But even as violent crime falls citywide, debates intensify over surveillance technology, federal immigration enforcement, and civilian oversight of police. 

Public safety reporter Roselyn Romero and news editor Darwin BondGraham help us make sense of Oakland's public safety moment.

Plus: AC Transit tweaks its bus schedule, OUSD enrollment exceeds projections while newcomer students plummet, Vanderbilt buys the old CCA campus, the Oakland Roots compete for Howard Terminal, Teni East Kitchen finds a bigger space, and Oakland hosts the Bay Area's only official Super Bowl watch party.

Stories we cover in this episode:

Public safety

• Oakland ended 2025 with the fewest homicides since 1967 
• Oakland police surveillance expansion 
• What does Oakland's Police Commission actually do? 
• Former Police Chief Floyd Mitchell never sat down with the press 

Education

• Oakland Unified saw uptick in transitional kindergarten, drastic decline in newcomer enrollment this year — Enrollment exceeded projections by more than 500 students, but first-year newcomer students dropped from about 180 to about 20.

Transit

• More AC Transit bus schedule changes starting Feb. 1 — Five months after implementing its Realign plan, the agency is making adjustments including more stops at Skyline High School.

Real estate and development

• Vanderbilt University buys old CCA campus in Rockridge — The purchase raises questions about a stalled housing project that's been proposed for the site since 2017.
• Oakland Roots soccer reportedly picked as a finalist with a chance to redevelop Howard Terminal — The Port of Oakland selected the Roots and Industrial Realty Group to compete for the 55-acre waterfront property.

Food

• Teni East Kitchen, moving a half mile, sees new, tasty possibilities with larger space — The acclaimed Burmese restaurant is relocating to the old Pomella space on Piedmont Avenue in March.

Sports

• Oakland sports calendar: Super Bowl LX, Spiders tryouts, volunteer with the Ballers — Your guide to what's coming up in Oakland sports this winter, including the Bay Area's only official Super Bowl watch party on February 8.

Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.