Community Democracy 

Survey Data
Polis Report
Topic Based Summary

Survey Overview
In Spring 2025, Temescal Neighbors ran a public safety survey using the digital tool Pol.is. The prompt asked: "What public safety priorities should we focus on in Temescal?" The survey aimed to understand shared concerns, surface creative solutions, and reveal where the community aligns or diverges.

Participation Snapshot

• 146 people voted

• 135 grouped into two major opinion clusters

• 72 unique statements submitted

• 5,787 total votes cast (39.6 votes/person avg)
  
  

Participants were sorted into groups based on how similarly they voted. The results highlight a community that values both safety and care, while holding differing views on the roles of policing and alternatives.

Key Themes and Findings

Traffic & Road Safety
Strong consensus emerged around concerns for pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement. Residents voiced support for:

• More speed humps and diverters ([31], 75% agree)

• Longer crossing times and improved street lighting ([47], 82%)

• Stopping at signed intersections, especially on Webster ([41], 72%)

While some statements showed broad support across groups, there were nuances—for example, proposals to restrict car access on certain streets ([39], 67%) had more support in one group than the other.

Crime, Policing & Alternatives
Community opinions on policing varied widely:

• Calls for crime prevention alternatives (e.g., community ambassadors [27], 83%) drew wide support

• There was strong support for mental health response models ([34], 75%) and de-escalation training ([10], 68%)

• However, proposals for more police patrols were polarizing—some felt safer with increased presence, others felt less safe ([60], 67%, but with major group divergence)

Statements expressing skepticism about OPD's role (e.g., [58], 61%) were endorsed heavily by one group but rejected by another, illustrating a key divide.

Telegraph Business Corridor
Participants shared concerns about safety, vacancies, and vibrancy along Telegraph:

• Broad support for activating storefronts through incentives and small business support ([35], 78%; [44], 74%)

• Beautification ideas, like murals and lights, were highly popular ([49], 84%)

• Concerns about crime and slow response times persisted, though support for increased OPD presence varied by group
  
  

Community Building & Beautification
Many saw community connection as foundational to safety:

• Block parties ([71], 85%) and prioritizing public space for people over cars ([52], 85%) had near-universal appeal

• There was strong interest in parklets, street art, and reclaiming vacant lots for public use ([37], 86%; [61], 67%)
  
  

Housing & Unhoused Support
Views on homelessness revealed both shared concern and deep disagreement:

• Many supported building housing and creating designated spaces ([51], 79%; [57], 71%)

• Statements advocating for sweeps or enforcement received polarized reactions ([25], 54%; [62], 53%)

• Proposals to defund OPD and redirect funds to housing were among the most divisive ([64], 51%, but with stark group split)

Notable Points of Agreement

• "It should feel safe walking around alone" ([11], 86%)

• "More community ambassadors trained in de-escalation" ([27], 83%)

• "Speeding drivers endanger everyone" ([31], 75%)

• "Support local business & arts to fill vacant storefronts" ([35], 78%)

Points of Disagreement

• Role and presence of OPD (e.g., [3], [50], [60])

• Approaches to homelessness and encampments (e.g., [25], [64])

Community Proposals and Ideas
Residents suggested:

• A community safety liaison or coordination circle

• Expanded MACRO hours and awareness

• Monthly trash cleanups and mural projects

• Using school grounds for public use after hours.

• A neighborhood babysitting listserv, more events, and better lighting
  
  

Conclusion
Temescal residents are united in their desire for a safer, more connected neighborhood. While the community diverges on how to achieve safety—especially regarding the role of police—there is widespread enthusiasm for alternative responses, neighborhood beautification, and shared public spaces. These survey results offer a foundation for inclusive, community-led action.

Data Set
Detailed Summary

The Polis conversation, "What makes Temescal a great place to live, work & study, and how can it be improved?", generated 135 statements from 152 participants, revealing a diverse range of perspectives and ideas. The statements were organized into the following main categories:

1. Traffic & Roads (24 statements)

2. Safety & Justice (14 statements)

3. Neighborhood Culture (19 statements)

4. Business (9 statements)

5. Housing & Unhoused (8 statements)

6. Beautification (14 statements)

The conversation also covered other topics such as Public Safety, City Services, Emergency Preparedness, Schools, and specific Project Proposals.

Key Findings

Traffic & Roads

Participants expressed a strong desire for improved road conditions and traffic calming measures. Popular ideas included fixing potholes, repaving streets (particularly 49th Street and Shafter), installing speed bumps and roundabouts, and prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety. While there was broad agreement on the need for better infrastructure, opinions varied on balancing the needs of different road users, with some advocating for the removal of bike lanes on Telegraph if they impede emergency vehicles.

Safety & Justice

Public safety emerged as a primary concern, with participants advocating for increased police presence, community policing, and better relationships with law enforcement. Some called for more patrols and quicker response times, while others emphasized addressing the root causes of crime. Despite differing opinions on the best approach, there was a strong consensus on the need for everyone to feel safe in the community.

Neighborhood Culture

Participants highly valued Temescal's unique character, diversity, and strong sense of community. They expressed a desire for more community-building initiatives, such as neighborhood events, street parties, art walks, and communal spaces. While there was a general sense of welcoming and belonging, some saw room for improvement in making the community more inclusive for all.

Business

Supporting local businesses was a key priority, with ideas such as creating a Temescal Business Discount card and organizing more street fairs to promote the local economy. Participants also expressed concerns about commercial vacancies and the need for business improvement initiatives.

Housing & Unhoused

Affordable housing and support for unhoused neighbors emerged as critical issues. Many participants highlighted the need for more affordable and market-rate housing, suggesting the development of empty lots on Telegraph. There was also a strong call for resources and outreach services for the homeless camp on 42nd Street, with an emphasis on compassion and recognizing them as part of the community.

Beautification

Participants widely supported initiatives to enhance the cleanliness and appearance of Temescal. Popular proposals included addressing litter and graffiti, planting trees and native vegetation, and revitalizing vacant or neglected properties. Specific ideas ranged from organizing monthly trash cleanups to maintaining murals and landscaping medians.

Project Proposals & Other Topics

The conversation generated numerous project proposals, including:

1. Developing a neighborhood emergency preparedness plan

2. Installing a public bathroom in Temescal with proper maintenance

3. Creating a First Friday or Thursday art walk on Telegraph

4. Establishing a community bulletin board for local events and opportunities

5. Organizing a neighborhood babysitting listserv and mom meetups

6. Advocating for a dog park in the neighborhood

7. Utilizing the Studio One art center for community meetups and events

8. Installing a clean, accessible playground for families

Other topics included:

City Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Schools.

Neighborhood Culture - Events & Gatherings 

Organizing community street parties, food drives, toy drives, art walks, and casual meetups at local venues. Planning events like "Taste of Temescal" to showcase local businesses and culture.

Emergency Preparedness 

Developing neighborhood emergency plans, organizing training sessions, and creating communication networks for crises. Collaborating with CORE (Communities of Oakland Respond to Emergencies) for community resilience.

Neighborhood Beautification

• Art Projects: Commissioning murals, organizing art walks, and supporting local artists to enhance the visual appeal of the neighborhood.

• Trash Clean-Up: Coordinating regular neighborhood clean-ups, addressing illegal dumping, and maintaining public spaces.

• Trees, Plants & Landscaping: Tree planting initiatives, creating community gardens, and landscaping neglected areas to green the neighborhood.

Housing & Unhoused 

Advocating for affordable housing, conducting outreach to unhoused neighbors, and connecting people with resources. Developing strategies to address homelessness in the community.

Business Relations 

Supporting local businesses, organizing promotional events like street fairs, and facilitating communication between businesses and residents. Creating initiatives to encourage local shopping.

Traffic & Roads 

Advocating for road improvements, implementing traffic calming measures, and enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety. Engaging with city officials on infrastructure projects.

Parks & Schools 

Improving local parks, supporting schools, and organizing family-friendly events. Working on projects like creating new playgrounds and strengthening community-school connections.

Crime & Justice 

Developing community policing initiatives, implementing crime prevention programs, and advocating for justice reform. Creating systems to keep residents informed about local safety issues.

Public Safety 

Improving street lighting, organizing self-defense classes, and creating safe spaces for community gatherings. Conducting safety audits and implementing measures to enhance neighborhood security.

Neighborhood Outreach 

Welcoming new residents, increasing community engagement, and spreading awareness about Temescal Neighbors initiatives. Developing strategies to reach and involve more community members in local activities