The Prosecution and Public Rights Unit (PPRU) of the Alameda City Attorney’s Office is the only unit of its kind in Northern California dedicated to representing the community in misdemeanor criminal matters and upholding fair housing and consumer protection laws.
The Unit was created at the direction of Alameda voters in November 2020 by their overwhelming approval of Measure AA to strengthen local control and accountability.
In 2024, for example, the PPRU took significant action by initiating a housing enforcement case against the owners of Barnhill Marina. This action aimed to safeguard the housing stability of more than 50 households who are predominantly low-income individuals and older adults. The court ruled in favor of the City, resulting in $335,000 in penalties and a permanent injunction to prevent the further harassment of residents.
Now in its fifth year of operation, the PPRU’s 2024 Annual Report highlights its extensive work, including fielding over 1,300 inquiries and launching dozens of investigations to protect Alameda residents and ensure compliance with the law. The prosecution team reviewed 800 cases, including criminal offences against property, individuals, and the state, and successfully resolved 370 cases with an 85% favorable outcome rate.
In addition to tenant cases, PPRU cases in 2024 included convictions for elder abuse, domestic violence, and stalking. The unit also successfully resolved a misdemeanor shoplifting case through diversion court. The defendant, a 26-year-old woman with minimal criminal history, successfully completed an anti-theft course and performed community service, satisfying all conditions and demonstrating accountability. The case was then dismissed in accordance with the diversion agreement.
Community education and outreach is a priority for the PPRU. In addition to bi-monthly presentations on the housing mediation program and community workshops, the Unit provides information to the public via articles in our local news outlets. The Alameda Post has published many articles by Rico Fenix, Paralegal-Investigator for the Alameda City Attorney’s Office. In 2024, these included Just Leave Me in Peace, On Housing Access, My Battle in Paradise, Books for Bright Futures: A Story of Embezzlement, and My Landlord’s Retaliation.
For more information, contact the Alameda City Attorney’s Office’s Prosecution and Public Rights Unit by phone at 510-747-4772 or email [email protected].
