CITY OF OAKLAND
O N E F R A N K H . O G A W A P L A Z A 6T H F L O O R O A K L A N D , C A L I F O R N I A 9 4 6 1 2 Office of the City Attorney
Barbara Parker
City Attorney
FAX:
TDD:
(510) 238-3601
(510) 238-6500
(510) 839-6451
July 30, 2024
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: Sancreasa Blu, et al. v. City of Oakland et al.
United States District Court, Case No. 4:23-cv-01655-AGT City Attorney File No. 35161
(Oakland Police Department – Excessive Force, False Arrest)
President Fortunato Bas and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the City Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing compromise and settlement of the above-entitled lawsuit for the sum of Sixty Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($60,000.00), payable to Plaintiffs and their counsel.
On September 27, 2021, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Oakland Police Department (“OPD”) received a call from a citizen stating that the citizen had located their stolen vehicle near a Popeyes restaurant located at 70th Street and International Boulevard. OPD Officers Benjamin Olson and Brooke Nolette responded to the call with the following details: the location of the alleged stolen vehicle, the license plate of the vehicle, the make and model of the vehicle, and the suspects’ descriptions. Officers Olson and Nolette effectuated a high-risk traffic stop of Plaintiffs Sancreasa Blu and A.A.’s vehicle. Officers conducted pat searches, placed Blu in handcuffs, and placed both Plaintiffs in the back of police vehicles. Officers confirmed the vehicle was not stolen and released Plaintiffs without citing them.
Plaintiffs claim emotional distress associated with the alleged violations of their constitutional rights, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Plaintiffs’ past medical bills amount to $10,750.00. Plaintiffs estimate their future medical bills for therapy and treatment at $61,920.00 for Blu and $144,480.00 for A.A.
The City has determined that settlement in the amount of $60,000, without admitting liability and to avoid further litigation, is in the best interest of the City.
The Council authorized settlement of this case in Closed Session on Thursday, July 18, 2024 (moved by Councilmember Kalb and seconded by Councilmember Gallo - 6 Ayes, 2 Excused – Councilmember Fife and Councilmember Jenkins).
Respectfully submitted,
BARBARA J. PARKER
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Montana B. Baker