MACRO isnt working the way it should, Oakland residents say

The MACRO program in Oakland, which addresses non-emergency calls related to homelessness and behavioral health, is under fire for its limited effectiveness. In 2024, MACRO responded to 6,309 incidents, but only four calls per day on average were routed to the program from the approximately 3,500 daily 911 calls. Critics like Charles Idelson emphasize that this low number highlights a need for reform, questioning the adequacy of the program's current operations. Some residents advocate for reallocating MACRO's $4 million budget to maintain essential city services as Oakland faces a budget deficit. The program's funding is also a concern, as a $10 million grant is set to expire within a year, leaving MACRO to seek $4 million annually from the city.

Councilmember Charlene Wang has indicated that discussions on improving MACRO's call routing should involve dispatch managers. Despite the program's achievements, including an increase in staff and community presence, many believe it is not meeting its potential. The City Council is urged to reconsider how to better utilize MACRO to address community needs.