As part of El Tímpano’s 2025 SMS community survey, we wanted to get a sense of our community’s hopes and concerns. So we asked the open-ended question:
What would you like to see change or improve in your community?
More than 170 people responded, from Hayward to Brentwood, San Francisco, Oakland, and everywhere in between. Responses ranged from public safety and clean streets to better local infrastructure and responsive governance, affordable housing, education, healthcare, and more community events. The top issues ranged significantly by city and county. Below are those variances, and what subscribers said about their top issues of concern.
Jump to:
Public safety | Streets and infrastructure | Community resources | Unity & equality | Housing, cost of living, and jobs | More information in Spanish
Differences across the East Bay
Survey respondents reflected the geographic spread of El Tímpano’s SMS community, with nearly half from Oakland, 26% from across Contra Costa County, and the rest in South Alameda County or elsewhere in the Bay Area.
Differences across these regions were notable. In Oakland, public safety is by far the most common issue of concern, followed by the desire for safer and cleaner streets. This is in contrast to Contra Costa County and Alameda County outside of Oakland, where more community resources or greater unity are as much if not more of a concern than public safety. Also, numerous people in Contra Costa County and South Alameda County expressed a desire for more accessible information, or a better informed public.
Scroll down for a sampling of what respondents had to say about these issues, translated from their original Spanish.
Public safety
Our subscribers expressed a desire for a community where they can walk and live without fearing crime. While these calls came from residents across the Bay Area, safety and clean streets were the predominant issues expressed by Oakland residents. We heard calls for more police officers, better lit streets, and safer neighborhoods.
“The truth is I live near 38th Street and I’d like to see them put more speed bumps because the cars speed through here.” — Oakland resident
“Safety — there are a lot of gunshots in this area nearly every weekend.” — Felicitas, Oakland
“The security to go out for a walk without fear of being assaulted.” — Oakland resident
“More police so there’s more safety.” — Oakland resident
Better maintained streets & improved infrastructure
Many people want better street maintenance, public spaces, and cleaner streets. They are worried about poorly maintained roads and trash in their neighborhoods. They also asked for more community gardens, parks, and recreational spaces for children and families.
“We’d like to improve the parks because they’re forgotten and they don’t look welcoming where I live.” — Laura, Hayward
“The streets are really ugly.” — Oakland resident
“We should keep the streets cleaner.” — Hayward resident
“[I wish] my community went back to being clean, without trash everywhere.” — Oakland resident
“The streets should be maintained so that there aren’t so many potholes and there’s not trash everywhere. I wish people would be more conscientious.” — Richmond resident
“Something I would like to see improve in my community are the streets and streetlights. In west Brentwood where I live, the community is 80% hispanic, and the streets are not maintained as well as in other parts of Brentwood where the population or homes are more affluent.” — Abraham, Brentwood
“More stop signs on the streets because the cars drive like crazy.” — Union City resident
“More public transportation.” — Brentwood resident
Community resources
One of the most common themes was a desire for more community resources and services, particularly those for or accessible to immigrants. Suggestions ranged from English classes to domestic violence services, resources for people in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County, free summer youth programs, food distribution, legal aid, health care, and computer classes.
“More programs for inclusion for minorities and immigrants.” — Novato resident
“[I wish] there was more help and services for our community.“ — Alma, Brentwood
“I want to see more services for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.” — Frances, Penngrove
“Support like food banks, jobs, and legal advice.” — Oakland resident
“More places where we can bring our children in the summer for free.” — Gabriela, Hayward
“I’d like to see a center with activities for 3-12 year-olds like sports, dance, musica, and simultaneously for parents as well.” — Oakland resident
“I would like community clinics to extend their hours.” — San Pablo resident
Unity & equality
Many respondents, particularly in Contra Costa County, called for more unity and racial equality, and less discrimination.
“That there’s no more discrimination.” — Martinez resident
“More unity among our people! If all of the Latino countries came together we would be stronger against racism toward our community.” — Elena, San Francisco
“That we raise our voices to share all available resources and we would be more united and there would be more resources for our community.” — Francis, Richmond
Housing, cost of living, and job opportunities
Survey respondents want to see more affordable housing options and better support for the homeless. They also mentioned the high cost of living and asked for more job opportunities.
“There needs to be more housing for low-income people.” — South San Francisco resident
“Our community has a lot of people in the streets, without a home, and I wish there were a place for them to be.” — Antioch resident
“Something I want to see is an improvement of prices for daily food consumption.” — Oakland resident
More information in Spanish
Several respondents said they’d like more information that helps connect them to resources, and a more informed community.
“A way to get information about community events to people so they can attend and are informed about what is going on and resources that can help them.” — Maria, Pittsburg
“More forms of communication in Spanish, this would help a lot, especially now, as you [El Tímpano] are doing an exceptional job.” — Ray, Pittsburg
“More information in general about laws and support services.” — Antioch resident
“To have verified and up-to-date information about different agencies and organizations that help the community.” — Richmond resident
“I’d like the community to be better informed and educated, and less manipulated.” —Richmond resident
Of course, there was a range of other responses—from calls for more cultural events and community activities to a desire for immigrants to live without fear, support for small businesses, more people recycling, and much more. We’re grateful to all of our SMS subscribers who took the time to share their opinions, and look forward to continuing to surface and amplify their thoughts in future surveys and through our ongoing community-powered reporting.
Click here to learn more about what El Tímpano found from our 2025 community survey.
