SITE OVERVIEW ♦ ALAMEDA COUNTY | CALIFORNIA
Target Area: Ashland | Cherryland • Population: 36,000
Fiscal Agent: Alameda County Sheriff’s Office
Research Partner: Hatchuel Tabernik & Associates
Crime Concerns: Drug and alcohol related crime, simple assaults
BCJI Funding Year: 2014 Planning & Implementation
Neighborhood Profile
Ashland and Cherryland are densely populated urban neighborhoods in an unincorporated part of the East Bay Area where unemployment and poverty levels are high (an estimated 25% of households earn less than $25,000 per year). Many residents have prior involvement with the criminal justice system. Outdoor spaces for recreational and social activities are lacking, as are well-maintained sidewalks and street lighting that could enhance order and safety.
Planning Process
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office convened a team of partners including the Office of Alameda County Supervisor (District 4), the Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League, REACH Ashland Youth Center, and the research organization Hatchuel Tabernik & Associates in 2014. Their goal was to examine crime drivers on a deeper level and come up with a plan that would enhance safety while also building community cohesion and economic vitality, using BCJI resources.
Their BCJI Planning process uncovered a variety of notable findings such as:
- Approximately 30% of residents ages 15 and over are currently or have been involved in the criminal or juvenile justice systems. Among the adults in this group, the majority are men with poor work history, low educational achievement and substance abuse issues.
- Alcohol is more readily available than food in the community, with nearly 66% of residents living within a quarter mile of a liquor store and only 8% living within a half mile of a full-service grocery store.
- Property and drug crimes are clustered around hot spots, particularly on the now underutilized commercial corridors where vacant properties, liquor stores, graffiti and litter are prevalent.
Implementation Strategies
The BCJI team began implementation of “Ashland-Cherryland Rising” in early 2016, expanding upon the work of multiple initiatives that combat long-term disinvestment, disenfranchisement, and crime in the area. Their efforts emphasize:
- Economic investment. Major property development projects supported by BCJI include the development of combined housing and retail space in the East 14th Street/Mission corridor hot spot, a mobile food pantry or other community-wide food distribution center, and temporary spaces for pop-up retail and community events. BCJI partners also offer education and job training to build residents’ income.
- Reentry services. The project is promoting Operation My Home Town, a reentry program that connects people in correctional facilities with case managers to develop individualized post-release plans.
- Community-oriented policing and problem solving. The Sheriff’s offices is working to build positive community-police relations by organizing community events, participating in programs at the REACH Ashland Youth Center, and otherwise engaging with people in non-traditional police work. Sheriff’s Deputies are also working to hone the communication loop between residents and the Sheriff’s Office in the course of problem-solving around hotspots.
- Community leadership development. The project is supporting training and mentoring for community leaders to become advocates for positive community change. This includes the launch of a Leadership Council as part of the Eden Area Livability Initiative, a regional community development effort.
Read about how Alameda County BCJI leaders support neighbor-to-neighbor organizing
Read how BCJI sites are working to enhance community-police relations. Sheriff’s Department recruits in Alameda County mentor young people as part of their training.
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