New York Times

…Sheng Thao, a Hmong American member of the City Council, recently announced that she would run for mayor in the 2022 election. Oakland, like many cities across the country, has seen a spike in its homicide rate as well as a nationally publicized rash of smash-and-grab burglaries. The city also came into the spotlight during the Stop Asian Hate movement for a series of attacks this past year, one of which ended in the death of a 75-year-old man.

In September, Thao argued for the addition of two police academies. She also has proposed offering a signing bonus for any officer who joins the Oakland Police Department and commits to staying for at least five years. A self-described progressive, Thao not only wants to fund the police; she wants to give them an extra $50,000.

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KRON 4

The Oakland City Council passed two hiring proposals to address OPD’s officer retention problem on Tuesday. 

One proposal was by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and the other, proposed by Oakland City Council President Pro Tem Sheng Thao.

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San Francisco Chronicle

The Oakland City Council voted Tuesday to approve two new police academies and to use a professional recruiter to help lure experienced police officers amid a debate over how to keep the city safe in the face of a spike in violent crime…

[The vote on Sheng Thao’s plan]...offering $50,000 signing bonuses for experienced officers and $20,000 for city residents who sign up as recruits…will be heard Dec. 21.

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Oakland Post

...“Being a city leader means breaking through the discourse and finding solutions that are effective and holistic,” said Thao. “While important violence prevention programs like Ceasefire and Town Nights continue to focus on the important community-building that is necessary, it is important that the city improve its 911 response times and ensure nobody is waiting hours for help. Equally, it is important that OPD is supported and staffed at the levels that the Council has already authorized and funded.”

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NBC

The city of Oakland is trying to tackle how they can stop the recent violence.

On Thursday, Oakland City Council president Sheng Thao proposed a hiring plan to immediately fill 60 vacant police officer positions.

While Thao wants to open at least one new police academy, her aim is to recruit veteran officers with a $50,000 hiring bonus and an additional $20,000 for local recruits.

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KTVU

The city of Oakland wants to hire more police officers – as the city faces a surge in violent crime...

"We are in a public safety emergency right now," Thao said. "It feels like every day we face a new senseless tragedy. And at the same time our police force does not have the resources to adequately serve our community."

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Beyond Chron

One week ago, Oakland’s November 2022 mayor’s race seemed wide open…

But on November 10 councilmember Sheng Thao announced broad progressive support. Thao’s mayoral run is backed by Kaplan and Bas along with Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Two of the Bay Area’s most progressive assembly members, Alex Lee and Ash Kalra, have also endorsed Thao. They are joined by key unions, including the Alameda Labor Council, SEIU 1021, the Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council, and Teamsters Joint Council 7.

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KRON 4

...“My values, commitment to service, and drive to make a difference are rooted in where I come from,” said Thao, the daughter of refugees who grew up the 7th of 10 kids. “As a Councilmember, I’m inspired every day about the chance to make change for those who need it most. And I’ve shown it’s possible to be both progressive and effective at City Hall. That’s how I’ve brought the Council together to break gridlock and deliver real progressive victories on affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety.”

Among those who announced their endorsements of her candidacy were California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, former Councilmember Dick Spees, and the leaders of Oakland Firefighters Association and Alameda Labor Council.

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KTVU

…Sheng Thao officially announced her candidacy Wednesday afternoon.

She said her life experiences shapes her vision for Oakland and that her struggles are her strength.

"The next mayor of the great city of Oakland: Sheng Tao," State Attorney General Rob Bonta said as he introduced the city council member during her campaign launch event in West Oakland.

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