Roselyn Romero
@roselynr.bsky.social
Pronounced ROSE-lin, not RAWZ-lin. Award-winning journalist covering public safety for The Oaklandside. She/her. DMs are off the record.
Pinned
Roselyn Romero
@roselynr.bsky.social
· Aug 13
Rape survivors relied on BRAVE Bay Area. Whistleblower documents claim it was destroyed from within
Two government agencies opened investigations into BRAVE, formerly Bay Area Women Against Rape, last year. Current and former employees describe an organization in free fall.
oaklandside.org
BRAVE Bay Area, formerly Bay Area Women Against Rape, announced it is shutting down due to financial constraints.
But current and former staff told me the nonprofit has been under investigation for alleged fraud and mismanagement.
My latest investigative story: oaklandside.org/2025/08/12/b...
But current and former staff told me the nonprofit has been under investigation for alleged fraud and mismanagement.
My latest investigative story: oaklandside.org/2025/08/12/b...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
While most drivers are stopped because over traffic violations, 64.8% of the stops of homeless residents were based on “reasonable suspicion” — a less-demanding standard.
California police are far more likely to use force against homeless residents, new data shows
While most drivers are stopped because over traffic violations, 64.8% of the stops of homeless residents were based on “reasonable suspicion” — a less-demanding standard.
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM
While most drivers are stopped because over traffic violations, 64.8% of the stops of homeless residents were based on “reasonable suspicion” — a less-demanding standard.
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
The First Amendment's fundamental democratic safeguards do not exist if journalists are not free to cover uprisings against government abuses without fear of state retaliation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
The Trump Administration Is Trying to Prosecute Its Way Out of Bad Media Coverage
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort threaten more than just their First Amendment rights as journalists.
ballsandstrikes.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The First Amendment's fundamental democratic safeguards do not exist if journalists are not free to cover uprisings against government abuses without fear of state retaliation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Do you remember when people were saying "I think my phone is listening to me, i'm getting ads for stuff I spoke about" and people said "They arent listening to you, they're just this good at predicting your interests"?
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Google to pay $68 million over allegations its voice assistant eavesdropped on users
Class-action lawsuit alleged that Google's voice assistant illegally recorded and shared private conversations with advertisers.
www.cbsnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Do you remember when people were saying "I think my phone is listening to me, i'm getting ads for stuff I spoke about" and people said "They arent listening to you, they're just this good at predicting your interests"?
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Well, it happens they were doing exactly that.
www.cbsnews.com/news/google-...
Oakland youth shared their experiences with sex trafficking — and their ideas for solutions — with city and county leaders at a town hall hosted by Dream Youth Clinic.
I attended the event and wrote about it for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
I attended the event and wrote about it for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
Oakland has a sex trafficking problem. Young people have ideas to solve it
Teens and young adults urged Mayor Barbara Lee and other local leaders to invest in prevention, education, and survivor services at a town hall hosted by Dream Youth Clinic.
oaklandside.org
January 30, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Oakland youth shared their experiences with sex trafficking — and their ideas for solutions — with city and county leaders at a town hall hosted by Dream Youth Clinic.
I attended the event and wrote about it for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
I attended the event and wrote about it for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
I was on @kqednews.kqed.org’s “The Bay” today to talk about Oakland’s drop in violent crime.
You can listen here: www.kqed.org/news/1207125...
You can listen here: www.kqed.org/news/1207125...
Violent Crime Is Down in Oakland | KQED
Violent crime is down in Oakland, along with most major U.S. cities. In 2025, Oakland’s homicide rate dropped 22% compared with the previous year.
www.kqed.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:19 PM
I was on @kqednews.kqed.org’s “The Bay” today to talk about Oakland’s drop in violent crime.
You can listen here: www.kqed.org/news/1207125...
You can listen here: www.kqed.org/news/1207125...
The Oakland Police Department appears near the finish line in its 23-year federal court oversight program — but there’s still work left to do, said U.S. District Judge William Orrick.
I attended yesterday’s hearing at the federal courthouse and wrote about it: oaklandside.org/2026/01/28/o...
I attended yesterday’s hearing at the federal courthouse and wrote about it: oaklandside.org/2026/01/28/o...
Racial disparities in officer discipline complicate OPD’s push to end federal oversight
A federal judge praised progress toward ‘constitutional policing’ but said the Oakland Police Department has not yet earned full independence from court supervision.
oaklandside.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:17 PM
The Oakland Police Department appears near the finish line in its 23-year federal court oversight program — but there’s still work left to do, said U.S. District Judge William Orrick.
I attended yesterday’s hearing at the federal courthouse and wrote about it: oaklandside.org/2026/01/28/o...
I attended yesterday’s hearing at the federal courthouse and wrote about it: oaklandside.org/2026/01/28/o...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.
Crime drops in Oakland, privacy debates rise...on the podcast
Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.
oaklandside.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
The White House is just outright admitting that it's posting fake and misleading information about a defendant who has been criminally charged by the feds.
January 22, 2026 at 10:07 PM
The White House is just outright admitting that it's posting fake and misleading information about a defendant who has been criminally charged by the feds.
Oakland councilmembers have declined for the second time to reappoint two incumbents to the Police Commission, the civilian board overseeing OPD.
Did the Oakland police union sway the council’s decision?
My latest for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/21/p...
Did the Oakland police union sway the council’s decision?
My latest for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/21/p...
Did Oakland’s police union convince the City Council to block OPD oversight picks?
The council declined again to reappoint two commissioners in a move that some say could shape the police oversight board in ways friendlier to OPD.
oaklandside.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Oakland councilmembers have declined for the second time to reappoint two incumbents to the Police Commission, the civilian board overseeing OPD.
Did the Oakland police union sway the council’s decision?
My latest for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/21/p...
Did the Oakland police union sway the council’s decision?
My latest for The Oaklandside: oaklandside.org/2026/01/21/p...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Councilmember Charlene Wang wants to create a Human Trafficking Survivor Support Fund, which would use fines levied against buyers and exploiters.
Sex trafficking survivors would get financial support under new Oakland proposal
Councilmember Charlene Wang wants to create a Human Trafficking Survivor Support Fund, which would use fines levied against buyers and exploiters.
oaklandside.org
January 13, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Councilmember Charlene Wang wants to create a Human Trafficking Survivor Support Fund, which would use fines levied against buyers and exploiters.
For years, survivors of sex trafficking in Oakland have struggled to secure financial support.
A new proposal could change that, creating a dedicated revenue stream for survivors of sexual exploitation while penalizing those who buy and sell victims.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/12/o...
A new proposal could change that, creating a dedicated revenue stream for survivors of sexual exploitation while penalizing those who buy and sell victims.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/12/o...
Sex trafficking survivors would get financial support under new Oakland proposal
Councilmember Charlene Wang wants to create a Human Trafficking Survivor Support Fund, which would use fines levied against buyers and exploiters.
oaklandside.org
January 13, 2026 at 1:07 AM
For years, survivors of sex trafficking in Oakland have struggled to secure financial support.
A new proposal could change that, creating a dedicated revenue stream for survivors of sexual exploitation while penalizing those who buy and sell victims.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/12/o...
A new proposal could change that, creating a dedicated revenue stream for survivors of sexual exploitation while penalizing those who buy and sell victims.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/12/o...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 PM
semi-regular reminder that ICE was only created in 2003
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
when you are asked to imagine a world without ICE, you're basically being asked to remember where you were when Lilo & Stitch came out
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Videos appear to contradict the White House’s defense of a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
A law professor explains when deadly force is legal and whether the agent who killed Renee Good could be charged.
A law professor explains when deadly force is legal and whether the agent who killed Renee Good could be charged.
Immigration Agents Are Shooting People. Is It Legal?
A law professor explains whether the agent who fatally shot Renee Good could face prosecution.
www.thetrace.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Videos appear to contradict the White House’s defense of a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis.
A law professor explains when deadly force is legal and whether the agent who killed Renee Good could be charged.
A law professor explains when deadly force is legal and whether the agent who killed Renee Good could be charged.
My colleague @chroniclesofazu.bsky.social wants to hear from couples who met in unconventional ways in Oakland to share their stories ❤️
Submit your meet-cute by the end of January: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Submit your meet-cute by the end of January: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:53 PM
My colleague @chroniclesofazu.bsky.social wants to hear from couples who met in unconventional ways in Oakland to share their stories ❤️
Submit your meet-cute by the end of January: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Submit your meet-cute by the end of January: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
During Floyd Mitchell’s 19-month tenure, he ignored multiple invitations from The Oaklandside to answer questions about his job leading the Oakland Police Department.
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2026/01/09/o...
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2026/01/09/o...
Former OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell refused to sit down with the press. Will the next chief be more accessible?
During Mitchell’s 19-month tenure, he ignored multiple invitations from The Oaklandside to answer questions about his job running the Oakland Police Department.
oaklandside.org
January 9, 2026 at 10:30 PM
During Floyd Mitchell’s 19-month tenure, he ignored multiple invitations from The Oaklandside to answer questions about his job leading the Oakland Police Department.
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2026/01/09/o...
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2026/01/09/o...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Honored to have won a first place at SF Press Club ceremony last night, shared w/co-writer @roselynr.bsky.social & editor @tcraggs22.bsky.social. Thanks to @oaklandside.org @oaklandvoices.bsky.social @maynardinstitute.bsky.social for co-publishing the story.
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Honored to have won a first place at SF Press Club ceremony last night, shared w/co-writer @roselynr.bsky.social & editor @tcraggs22.bsky.social. Thanks to @oaklandside.org @oaklandvoices.bsky.social @maynardinstitute.bsky.social for co-publishing the story.
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
“.. they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher," Heller said. "She was carried out like a sack of potatoes."
“This was horrific and will change my life forever,” she said. “I feel so scared."
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
“This was horrific and will change my life forever,” she said. “I feel so scared."
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Minnesota ICE shooting live updates: Driver fatally shot by immigration agent
Follow the latest news after an ICE agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman after a group of individuals began to block an immigration-related operation.
www.nbcnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 PM
“.. they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher," Heller said. "She was carried out like a sack of potatoes."
“This was horrific and will change my life forever,” she said. “I feel so scared."
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
“This was horrific and will change my life forever,” she said. “I feel so scared."
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
My first story of 2026: Oakland saw a historic drop in homicides and other categories of crime last year — but city leaders aren’t declaring victory just yet.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/07/o...
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/07/o...
Oakland saw a historic drop in homicides in 2025. City leaders aren’t declaring victory yet
Murders fell 27% last year, driven in part by the city’s Ceasefire program and community partnerships, Oakland officials say.
oaklandside.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:56 PM
My first story of 2026: Oakland saw a historic drop in homicides and other categories of crime last year — but city leaders aren’t declaring victory just yet.
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/07/o...
My latest: oaklandside.org/2026/01/07/o...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
I’m at Hoover Elementary where there was some ICE presence earlier. The school is on lockdown and community members are chanting “say it loud say it clear immigrants are welcome here”
No obvious sign of any federal agents in the area now
No obvious sign of any federal agents in the area now
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I’m at Hoover Elementary where there was some ICE presence earlier. The school is on lockdown and community members are chanting “say it loud say it clear immigrants are welcome here”
No obvious sign of any federal agents in the area now
No obvious sign of any federal agents in the area now
Cedric Irving Jr., the person accused of killing beloved football coach John Beam at Laney College in Oakland last week, will be held without bail, an Alameda County judge ruled Tuesday morning.
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2025/11/18/c...
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2025/11/18/c...
No bail for Cedric Irving, the man accused of fatally shooting legendary coach John Beam
Irving, who was arraigned Tuesday in Oakland, did not enter a plea. Dozens of Beam’s family and friends packed the courtroom.
oaklandside.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Cedric Irving Jr., the person accused of killing beloved football coach John Beam at Laney College in Oakland last week, will be held without bail, an Alameda County judge ruled Tuesday morning.
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2025/11/18/c...
My latest story: oaklandside.org/2025/11/18/c...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
Three teens were critically wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a high school in the foothills of suburban Denver, including the suspected shooter, authorities say.
3 teenagers wounded in shooting at Colorado high school
A suspected shooter was also wounded in the shooting at Evergreen High School, about 30 miles west of Denver, authorities said.
www.nbcnews.com
September 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Three teens were critically wounded Wednesday in a shooting at a high school in the foothills of suburban Denver, including the suspected shooter, authorities say.
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
"Willie James has been incarcerated longer than I have been alive — a little over 45 years. He said having photos seized is heartbreaking. We’re only allowed to have 50 photographs, according to state prison rules."
The Definition of Prison Contraband Might Surprise You
Contraband is anything that a prisoner is not supposed to have. But, in practice, the definition is more complex.
prisonjournalismproject.org
August 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
"Willie James has been incarcerated longer than I have been alive — a little over 45 years. He said having photos seized is heartbreaking. We’re only allowed to have 50 photographs, according to state prison rules."
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
1. In an alarming move, the Trump administration has banned trans coverage for federal employees and their families, including youth and adults.
It mandates faith-based conversion therapy coverage.
It is one of the largest removals of coverage in the US.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
It mandates faith-based conversion therapy coverage.
It is one of the largest removals of coverage in the US.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Trump Admin Bans Coverage For Trans Govt Employees, Mandates Conversion Therapy Coverage
The OPM memo states that all health plans for government workers must cover faith-based approaches to gender dysphoria while banning gender affirming care coverage.
www.erininthemorning.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
1. In an alarming move, the Trump administration has banned trans coverage for federal employees and their families, including youth and adults.
It mandates faith-based conversion therapy coverage.
It is one of the largest removals of coverage in the US.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
It mandates faith-based conversion therapy coverage.
It is one of the largest removals of coverage in the US.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
After BRAVE Bay Area (formerly BAWAR) closes next month, what resources will remain for rape survivors in Oakland?
I’ve compiled a list of services for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence in Oakland and Alameda County. You can find them here: oaklandside.org/2025/08/21/r...
I’ve compiled a list of services for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence in Oakland and Alameda County. You can find them here: oaklandside.org/2025/08/21/r...
Sexual assault survivors in Oakland: A guide to resources after BRAVE Bay Area
Legal aid, 24-hour hotlines, bedside support, and other services are still available to survivors of rape in Oakland and Alameda County.
oaklandside.org
August 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
After BRAVE Bay Area (formerly BAWAR) closes next month, what resources will remain for rape survivors in Oakland?
I’ve compiled a list of services for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence in Oakland and Alameda County. You can find them here: oaklandside.org/2025/08/21/r...
I’ve compiled a list of services for survivors of sexual assault and gender-based violence in Oakland and Alameda County. You can find them here: oaklandside.org/2025/08/21/r...
Reposted by Roselyn Romero
In this morning's newsletter, I wrote about an under-appreciated problem for liberalism — its total failure to cultivate young talent www.vox.com/on-the-right...
How conservatives help their young thinkers — and why liberals don’t
Liberalism has a serious pipeline problem.
www.vox.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
In this morning's newsletter, I wrote about an under-appreciated problem for liberalism — its total failure to cultivate young talent www.vox.com/on-the-right...