A bystander shot near Lake Merritt. A series of violent robberies across Oakland. Smash-and-grab burglaries at businesses. Thousands of car thefts. Bomb threats and shootings at schools. A child in a stroller injured by bullet fragments.
Oakland is experiencing a disturbing increase in violent crime right now. It’s mainly because of a spike in robberies, up 31% this year. Homicides also increased during the pandemic to levels that hadn’t been seen in over a decade. With 79 killings so far in 2023, it appears this disturbing trend isn’t ending anytime soon. Property crimes, especially car break-ins, are also way up right now, according to police data.
Many Oaklanders are looking to city and county leaders to offer solutions for a safer city.
Over the past few months, residents have been able to hear from elected officials and offer feedback at meetings organized by neighborhood groups, small business owners, and city council members.
Perhaps the biggest community meeting yet about public safety this year is happening on Saturday at an East Oakland church. In attendance will be the city and county’s top law enforcement officials, including District Attorney Pamela Price, as well as Mayor Sheng Thao and District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. They’ll discuss crime, illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, and more.
If you’ve heard about Saturday’s town hall with the mayor and DA, you may have also heard that there’s another event—a sort of counter protest—scheduled to happen...
Chief Douglas Otaru, the former publicity secretary who was recently removed from his position following the APC state congress, was quoted as making several allegations against Dr. Aliyu Bello, t...