Payouts for killings and injuries plummet for Bay Area police departments undergoing reforms
Bay Area law enforcement agencies engaged in long-term reform efforts -- including having independent oversight -- are paying much less in civil penalties for injuring or killing people than many departments left to police themselves, a KTVU investigation has found.
Bay Area law enforcement agencies engaged in long-term reform efforts -- including having independent oversight -- are paying much less in civil penalties for injuring or killing people than many departments left to police themselves, a KTVU investigation has found.
A look at the most notable police payouts in the Bay Area
KTVU requested the public records of settlements, jury awards and civil judgments from 12 of the Bay Area’s largest law enforcement agencies that had to pay out damages stemming from excessive force and wrongful death lawsuits since 2015. The analysis shows that for the most part, agencies that have been under major reforms over the last decade or more, such as Oakland and San Francisco paid out significantly less than departments with no oversight, such as the Alameda County Sheriff and Vallejo police.
KTVU requested the public records of settlements, jury awards and civil judgments from 12 of the Bay Area’s largest law enforcement agencies that had to pay out damages stemming from excessive force and wrongful death lawsuits since 2015. The analysis shows that for the most part, agencies that have been under major reforms over the last decade or more, such as Oakland and San Francisco paid out significantly less than departments with no oversight, such as the Alameda County Sheriff and Vallejo police.
Homeless hotels closing in Alameda County amid COVID-19 surge
Most hotels will close to those experiencing homelessness in early 2021, according to Alameda County, as funding runs short and efforts focus on permanent affordable housing.
Most hotels will close to those experiencing homelessness in early 2021, according to Alameda County, as funding runs short and efforts focus on permanent affordable housing.
California EDD whistleblower blames management for unemployment fraud
An employee with the California Employment Development Department said thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are being processed because of lax management, little oversight and an inability to properly flag suspicious claims.
An employee with the California Employment Development Department said thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are being processed because of lax management, little oversight and an inability to properly flag suspicious claims.
More athletes describe years of mistreatment by Cal soccer coach
Nearly two dozen current and former Cal women's soccer players have contacted KTVU to share disturbing accounts of verbal abuse, bullying, and mistreatment by their long-time coach. Their stories stretch back more than a decade and they all say they were brushed off when they complained.
Nearly two dozen current and former Cal women's soccer players have contacted KTVU to share disturbing accounts of verbal abuse, bullying, and mistreatment by their long-time coach. Their stories stretch back more than a decade and they all say they were brushed off when they complained.
Grandma ends up bruised in Santa Rita Jail after calling 911 for help
Jolynn McCabe's situation - calling dispatch for a non-criminal emergency that ended in handcuffs and injury - puts a renewed focus on reforming police departments and what society can do better to help those facing a mental health crisis.
Jolynn McCabe's situation - calling dispatch for a non-criminal emergency that ended in handcuffs and injury - puts a renewed focus on reforming police departments and what society can do better to help those facing a mental health crisis.
Oakland inspection failures persist 4 years after Ghost Ship fire
An audit found the city of Oakland let 2,400 buildings go unchecked, violating state law and potentially putting people and businesses at risk.
An audit found the city of Oakland let 2,400 buildings go unchecked, violating state law and potentially putting people and businesses at risk.
California prison officials blasted over lax COVID-19 protocols, broken thermometers
Broken thermometers, no mask mandates, a lack of training and lax screenings may have contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks at several California prisons.
Broken thermometers, no mask mandates, a lack of training and lax screenings may have contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks at several California prisons.
Surviving the Game: Allegations of abuse in Cal's soccer program
Women from UC Berkeley's soccer team break their silence about what they allege was emotional abuse, bullying, intimidation, and mistreatment from their long-time coach.
Women from UC Berkeley's soccer team break their silence about what they allege was emotional abuse, bullying, intimidation, and mistreatment from their long-time coach.
Most people dying indoors as overdoses surge in San Francisco, data shows
San Francisco has seen the most overdoses ever this year, and most people are dying indoors, a KTVU investigation found. Experts believe social isolation during the coronavirus many be causing more people to die.
San Francisco has seen the most overdoses ever this year, and most people are dying indoors, a KTVU investigation found. Experts believe social isolation during the coronavirus many be causing more people to die.
PG&E charges $4,685 for one hour of work, Orinda homeowner says
Three months after a contractor hit a gas line and PG&E made an emergency repair, the homeowner was billed by the utility for confusing charges and even his own dirt.
Three months after a contractor hit a gas line and PG&E made an emergency repair, the homeowner was billed by the utility for confusing charges and even his own dirt.
California unemployment claims drop, backlog and fraud persists
State data provided by the Employment Development Department (EDD) has unemployment claims for last week down to just 158,877 – a six-month low.
State data provided by the Employment Development Department (EDD) has unemployment claims for last week down to just 158,877 – a six-month low.
Fired Vallejo officer details killing Ronell Foster, lax investigations in deposition
Testimony from former Vallejo police Officer Ryan McMahon over the shooting of an unarmed Black man raises new questions about how thoroughly the killing was investigated.
Testimony from former Vallejo police Officer Ryan McMahon over the shooting of an unarmed Black man raises new questions about how thoroughly the killing was investigated.
COVID-19 patients moved to nursing home, 12 resident deaths reported
A massive COVID-19 outbreak at a Santa Clara County nursing home has left a dozen dead and infected 75 residents after hospital patients were moved into a separate wing of the Gilroy facility two months ago.
A massive COVID-19 outbreak at a Santa Clara County nursing home has left a dozen dead and infected 75 residents after hospital patients were moved into a separate wing of the Gilroy facility two months ago.
California farmworkers endure harsh conditions, wildfires and the coronavirus
California farmworkers are facing rising risks to their health as they deal with harsh conditions including extreme heat, smoky air and increased exposure to COVID-19.
California farmworkers are facing rising risks to their health as they deal with harsh conditions including extreme heat, smoky air and increased exposure to COVID-19.
After two week pause, EDD accepts new unemployment claims, but phone delays persist
After the Employment Development Department’s unemployment help line was on hold for two weeks to improve claim processing and address backlogged claims and fraud, it remains difficult to access assistance from the agency.
After the Employment Development Department’s unemployment help line was on hold for two weeks to improve claim processing and address backlogged claims and fraud, it remains difficult to access assistance from the agency.
Cal Fire focused on remote vineyard in probe into cause of Glass Fire
Investigators with Cal Fire are set up on a remote vineyard on a secluded hillside in Napa Valley as they probe for the origin and cause of the destructive Glass Fire. Several neighbors told KTVU they witnessed flames erupt from the same area when the fire first ignited.
Investigators with Cal Fire are set up on a remote vineyard on a secluded hillside in Napa Valley as they probe for the origin and cause of the destructive Glass Fire. Several neighbors told KTVU they witnessed flames erupt from the same area when the fire first ignited.
Trouble reaching EDD? Here's how to get your unemployment benefits
California's EDD is a vital office for people who've lost their job, but the department is beset by problems. Here are ways to reach the EDD.
California's EDD is a vital office for people who've lost their job, but the department is beset by problems. Here are ways to reach the EDD.
Stolen mail found dumped as thieves target mailboxes
Mail theft is on the rise across California and it has been for at least three years. In one case, thieves targeted a series of apartment buildings using counterfeit keys to steal from dozens of mailboxes night after night.
Mail theft is on the rise across California and it has been for at least three years. In one case, thieves targeted a series of apartment buildings using counterfeit keys to steal from dozens of mailboxes night after night.