Letter from City Administrator Dan Lindheim

Letter from  City Administrator Dan Lindheim.  Please distribute widely  through your information channels.

July 2, 2010

Dear Oakland Business Community and Friends,

As a member of our valued Oakland business community, we are writing  to update you about the City of Oakland’s preparations for potential  activities following the announcement of the jury verdict in the  Mehserle trial.

The City of Oakland is committed to facilitating peaceful  demonstration while ensuring personal safety and protecting property. We  are doing everything in our means to minimize the potential for  vandalism and violence including the establishment of community healing  centers and working with our community partners to facilitate peaceful  forms of expression.

Contrary to reports disseminated by non-City sources, the City of  Oakland is NOT urging businesses to close on the day of the verdict. We  advise you to use common sense, convey a sense of calm to your employees  and customers and be prepared for the possibility that traffic and  public transit could be impacted in the late afternoon or early evening  the day of the verdict.

The City has developed a variety of mechanisms to keep the business  community informed of developments as they occur. We  encourage you to note the key tips below and review the the updated Merchant Information  Bulletin:

• We will post regular information updates on our web site: www.oaklandnet.com.
  
• To receive emergency alerts by email or wireless device,  subscribe to our alert system  by entering your email address. If  you would like to receive wireless alerts via mobile phone, be sure to  check the “Send Wireless Alerts to this address” box and enter your  mobile number and carrier. Once you’ve saved your subscriber  preferences, be sure to select “Emergency Alerts  for Merchants.”  
  
• Follow us on Twitter: @oaklandpoliceca
  
• If you don’t have a computer, call (510) 444-CITY for  information and/or recorded updates.
  
• OPD Tip Line: Call (510) 777-8814 24 hours/day to  anonymously report tips, rumors  and  information on disturbances related to the Mehserle verdict.
  
• Review the Merchant Information Bulletin also available in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. The bulletin is meant to inform and educate, not alarm.  We encourage you to share this email and the attached flyer with your  merchant neighbors and commercial tenants.  
  

Keeping peace on our streets and protecting Oakland businesses and  residents is our top priority. Thank you for your consideration and  support.

Sincerely,

Dan Lindheim  
City Administrator