President's Visit: Oakland Street Closures

From an Oakland Police Department community announcement:

In anticipation of the presidential visit to Oakland on Monday, July 23, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and the U.S. Secret Service are coordinating road closures for the event. President Obama is scheduled to make appearances and visit downtown Oakland Monday afternoon and evening.

For the President’s security and the protection of life and property in downtown, certain security restrictions will be implemented.

OPD will be posting no parking signs on affected streets on Friday, July 20. The time period for no parking will be Monday, July 23, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The following streets are currently scheduled for closure. Please be advised that these closures may be altered or cancelled per the direction of the OPD and the U.S. Secret Service:

● Telegraph Avenue between 17th Street and Thomas L. Berkley Way
● 17th Street between Broadway and San Pablo Avenue
● 18th Street between Telegraph and San Pablo avenues
● 19th Street between Broadway and San Pablo Avenue
● William Street between Telegraph and San Pablo avenues
● Rashida Muhammad Street between 19th and 20th streets
● San Pablo Avenue from 17th Street to Thomas L. Berkley Way

Vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as parking will be impacted on the above streets.

OPD is responsible for carrying out the logistical aspects that are required to secure the area for the visit. Per U.S. Secret Service protocols, it is expected that by approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, July 23, a security perimeter will be set up and barricaded. The perimeter in the Uptown District may be maintained until 10 p.m. It is likely that there will be no vehicles permitted to enter the perimeter after it is established. There will be limited pedestrian access.

In addition to the streets listed above, there will be general traffic interruptions as President Obama travels to downtown Oakland.

The City of Oakland will distribute a flyer with general details to businesses and residences in the impacted areas beginning Friday. It is the City’s understanding that businesses directly impacted will be visited by the U.S. Secret Service to share specific details.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to plan alternative routes ahead of time to avoid delays. Downtown workers and residents are strongly encouraged to use public transit. The City will stay in close communication with AC Transit and
BART in order to minimize the transit impacts, particularly during commute hours. The 17th Street entrance to the 19th BART station will be closed. Traffic and transit conditions could change. Employers, employees and residents are advised to visit www.511.org or call 511 for up-to-date transit information.

There is the potential for protests or demonstrations to take place in the vicinity. The City of Oakland has received and approved a request for a Special Events Permit from California NORML for a planned demonstration in Frank H. Ogawa Plaza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 23. (Amplified sound permit only for Noon to 1 p.m.).

The City of Oakland is committed to facilitating peaceful expressions of free speech rights, and protecting personal safety and property. We will not tolerate destruction or violence. We are asking for the community to come together, look out for one another and stay safe.

In the event that demonstrations and protests become unlawful, the Oakland Police Department is prepared to swiftly address any criminal behavior that would damage property or jeopardize the safety of the public or police officers.

Oakland is Open for Business

City offices and services will remain open on Monday, July 23. Staff from the Public Works Agency and other vital City services will work extended hours that day to provide additional community support as necessary. We are not urging businesses to close. Instead, we advise all to use common sense precautions and convey a sense of calm to employees and customers.

Since this is a fluid situation and the exact travel routes have not been released, this information is subject to change. Here are some important ways to stay informed.

How to Stay Informed

We will use a variety of communications channels to keep the business community and the public informed of developments as they occur. We encourage you to use the following:

● Check our web site for regular updates: www.oaklandnet.com

● To receive alerts by email or wireless device, subscribe to our email/text updates system by entering your email address in the “Email Updates” section on the City’s home page, www.oaklandnet.com. 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, select “Emergency Alerts for Merchants.”

● Sign up to receive public safety notifications from OPD through text/SMS, mobile applications, e-mail, and internet posts. Visit www.Nixle.com to register.

● Follow us on Twitter—for general City of Oakland news, follow @CityofOaklandCA. For specific public safety news, follow OPD @OaklandPoliceCA.

● Contact the City of Oakland’s Business Assistance Center at (510) 238-7952 or visit www.OaklandBAC.com for support and additional information.
● If you don’t have a computer, call (510) 444-CITY for information and/or recorded updates.

Thank you for your patience as OPD and the U.S. Secret Service work to ensure a safe visit by the President to our community.