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The Oakland Unified School District disbanded its police force five years ago. Since then, school leaders have been reshaping how they create safe environments for students and staff. One of these programs, paid for by the city, places violence interrupters on high school campuses where they can forge trust with students and help to deescalate and mediate tense situations that could turn into fights.
Carla Ashford with the Oakland nonprofit Youth Alive works as a violence interrupter at Skyline High School. Her time on the campus, and the work of other violence interrupters, has coincided with a drop in fights and suspensions.
Host Darwin BondGraham talks with schools reporter Ashley McBride about this novel program, Ashford’s philosophy of conflict resolution, and why OUSD is worried about funding for violence interruption running out.
Plus, we cover the headlines: Who’s to blame for the police chief leaving?, OAK refuses to screen a partisan video, remembering Allen Temple’s Pastor J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Tommy Orange wins a genius award, is a new tax the best way to plug the city’s leaky budget?, and why Oakland hasn’t sent more homegrown talent to the WNBA.
Oh, and a big thank you to everyone who contributed to keep this podcast going for another six months! Your support makes it possible for us to share hyperlocal news in the podcast format.
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