The city of Oakland funded security guards to patrol the streets of the shopping and business district during the holidays.
Engaging with local merchants and offering security to residents and visitors to the area, the ambassadors escorted shoppers to vehicles, monitored problematic individuals and locations, de-escalated tension and conflicts and collaborated efficiently with the Oakland Police Department in situations involving greater measures of intervention or actual crimes.
“I come from the inner city, so coming up here was entering a different walk of life,” Gilmore said. “At first, it was touch-and-go if I was going to do it. But once I was up here and felt welcome, it made me want to do it and to live up to their expectations.” Gilmore’s interactions ran a gamut, from escorting people to vehicles and reminding shoppers to place purchases in trunks instead of on car seats to providing directions to parking locations to reporting suspicious or actual criminal action to Swafford, who then communicated the information to Oakland police.
“Yes, hands down. Why? Because not only from the good business perspective but in the way the community and Dan have welcomed me, I feel comfortable. People in the community say they see a difference. Merchants thank me, and there are even people who come check on me and bring me coffee when I’m working. Just making a little difference along the line, we might make a bigger difference to keep people from hitting on the elderly or other people or doing crimes.
Montclair Village regularly engages with Bay Alarm for safety patrols in the district. Limor Margalit, Bay Alarm’s director of sales and security agent services, said that in setting up safety ambassador service for Montclair, one of three districts covered by the company, his role centered on working closely with merchants. By addressing their concerns with the on-street presence of a uniformed ambassador during the holiday season, Gilmore said residents and visitors also benefited.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US postal worker, 71, stabbed to death by repeat offender while walking home in Oakland, CaliforniaDilma Spruill, 71, was stabbed to death near her home in Oakland, California, on Wednesday as she walked home following her night shift at a U.S. post office.
Read more »
Highway 13 in Oakland closed due to landslideHighway 13 at Broadway Terrace was shut down early Monday morning after a landslide blocked the road. Crews are working to remove the mud and debris from the southbound lanes.
Read more »
Oakland church helps homeless neighbors during stormy weatherThe recent storms have been especially hard on the homeless in Oakland, where a recent audit found more than 5000 people are living without shelter. KTVU's Elissa Harrington looks at one community reaching out to help their unhoused neighbors.
Read more »
Stolen car crash in Oakland leaves two injured; police seeking driverA stolen car crashed in East Oakland Sunday night leaving two passengers injured and police seeking the driver.
Read more »
Day Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Comes With Call to Action in OaklandCommunity members in Oakland spent the day Monday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy all over the city and for a local activist group, the day of remembrance came with a call to action.
Read more »