{"id":1395930,"date":"2023-08-11T01:40:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T05:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/?p=1395930"},"modified":"2023-08-11T01:40:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T05:40:00","slug":"failed-leadership-oakland-ca-faces-state-of-emergency-as-consequence-free-crime-soars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/failed-leadership-oakland-ca-faces-state-of-emergency-as-consequence-free-crime-soars\/1395930\/","title":{"rendered":"“Failed Leadership” – Oakland, CA Faces “State Of Emergency” As Consequence-Free Crime Soars"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Failed Leadership” – Oakland, CA Faces “State Of Emergency” As Consequence-Free Crime Soars<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Authored by Travis Gillmore via The Epoch Times<\/a> (emphasis ours),<\/em><\/p>\n

Rising incidents of crime in Oakland, California, are affecting quality of life, causing some to flee, and leading to calls by some community associations for more law enforcement amid a wave of violence.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A looter robs a Target store in Oakland, Calif., on May 30, 2020. (Josh Edelson\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

While down slightly year-over-year, homicides have jumped 40 percent since 2019, with Oakland police reporting that every other category of crime shows an increase compared to last year and since before the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Also, compared to 2019, assaults and auto break-ins have doubled, and carjackings have tripled, according to FBI statistics.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additionally, the city rated a 1\u2014the lowest possible score out of 100\u2014meaning it is safer than less than 1 percent of areas across the country, according to online real estate market data firm Neighborhood Scout.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Public protests are now routine at Oakland City Council meetings, and letters to officials are pouring in, with frightened and angry residents and organizations expressing discontent.<\/p>\n

At a July hearing with the Alameda County District Attorney and sheriff to discuss the ongoing crime wave, audience members told officials about their recent encounters.<\/p>\n

“While I’m driving, I’m pulled out of my car at gunpoint,\u201d one woman said. \u201cWhat are we doing to address this? How do we solve this? Nobody feels safe.”<\/p>\n

Failed Leadership, Anti-Police Rhetoric Are to Blame: NAACP<\/h2>\n

Community safety advocates are also reaching out to administrators asking for immediate action to halt the violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cOakland residents are sick and tired of our intolerable public safety crisis that overwhelmingly impacts minority communities<\/strong>,\u201d the Oakland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, better known as the NAACP, said in a July 27 letter to elected officials. \u201cWe call on all elected leaders to unite and declare a state of emergency and bring together massive resources to address our public safety crisis.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The group blames criminal justice reform and efforts to minimize policing for the recent rise in crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cFailed leadership, including the movement to defund the police, our District Attorney\u2019s unwillingness to charge and prosecute people who murder and commit life threatening serious crimes<\/strong>, and the proliferation of anti-police rhetoric have created a heyday for Oakland criminals,\u201d the NAACP wrote in the letter. \u201cIf there are no consequences for committing crime in Oakland, crime will continue to soar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oakland\u2019s Police Department currently employs approximately 715 officers, nearly 500 fewer than necessary to protect the city, its union said in a statement<\/a> released July 29. Current budget plans call for an increase to 730 officers over the next two years.<\/p>\n

Protesters hold signs in support of defunding the police in Oakland, Calif., on July 25, 2020. (Natasha Moustache\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Residents No Longer Feel Safe at Home<\/h2>\n

Many residents say they no longer feel safe leaving their homes, and home invasion robberies are making some uncomfortable in their own dwellings.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom and aunt live together, and they\u2019re both older, and they don\u2019t feel safe anymore,\u201d Johnny Brown, a maintenance worker who has lived in Oakland most of his life, told The Epoch Times. \u201cI bring them groceries, and I put a camera on their house, so I can watch and make sure they\u2019re not in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Brown family has called Oakland home for more than 30 years, and they said the crime has never been worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Oakland, there\u2019s always been an element of danger, but it\u2019s wild out here,\u201d Mr. Brown said. \u201cThey\u2019re getting away with so much that others are doing it too. They don\u2019t care who you are or how much money they can get; they\u2019re out here robbing everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another long-time Oakland resident agreed, telling The Epoch Times that it\u2019s not safe at night to walk or stop for gas in certain areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like predator and prey out here as a young woman<\/strong>,\u201d LaTasha Jackson said. \u201cWe stay in groups at night and still don\u2019t feel safe, and forget about pumping gas alone, that\u2019s just asking to get robbed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crimes committed during daylight are also on the rise, with car break-ins at historic levels and armed robberies approaching all-time highs, according to the Oakland Police Officers Association.<\/p>\n

A recent video showed an elderly ice cream street vendor robbed by armed men wearing masks, but in a sign of solidarity, the community came together and raised thousands of dollars for the victim.<\/p>\n

While complaints and requests for action are numerous, city leaders say they are taking steps to address the concerns.<\/p>\n

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao recently announced a collaboration with Gov. Gavin Newsom to bring California Highway Patrol officers to the city, in addition to a $1.5 million grant to install license plate readers in high crime areas, intended to identify criminals and track down suspects.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong partnerships are critical in making our city safer,\u201d said Ms. Thao in a press release<\/a> Aug. 3 announcing the deal. \u201cOur comprehensive community safety approach includes both accountability for those who commit crime as well as prevention and deterrence efforts to stop crime before it occurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announces the firing of Oakland police Chief LeRonne Armstrong during a press conference at City Hall in Oakland, Calif., on Feb. 15, 2023. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group via AP)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

While acknowledging efforts to reduce crime, Ms. Thao insisted more must be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a city, we\u2019ve worked hard to make it safer,\u201d she said in a statement<\/a> Aug. 8. \u201cWe know we need to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Law enforcement officials recognize the dilemma facing residents and urged the community to unify and protect each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent weeks, we\u2019ve seen a surge in violence which has impacted our community and it\u2019s concerning for all of us who work, live and visit the City of Oakland,\u201d said Interim Police Chief Darren Allison in a joint statement<\/a>with the mayor in May. \u201cOur city, like many other major cities, is facing very challenging times and it is crucial we come together to take a collaborative approach when it comes to addressing crime in Oakland.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police Suggest \u2018Air Horns\u2019 to Sound off Intruders<\/h2>\n

One suggestion from the Oakland Police Department was for residents to equip themselves with air horns to sound off intruders and to alert neighbors of any disturbances.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While some are following the advice, others question the efficacy of such a plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn air horn won\u2019t save you from a robber with a gun,\u201d Ms. Jackson said. \u201cIt might get you killed, but I don\u2019t see it saving many lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home invasions have escalated over the past year, according to Oakland police, with videos from home security cameras posted on social media showing armed intruders robbing unsuspecting homeowners.<\/p>\n

Authorities also say elderly residents in the Oakland Hills have been targeted repeatedly over the last few months.<\/p>\n

Police advise, when possible, people install burglar bars on windows and doors and utilize security measures to help stop break-ins.<\/p>\n

Cameras can also help prevent attacks and provide evidence to assist law enforcement investigations, according to experts.<\/p>\n

For now, some Oakland residents say they\u2019re worried about the future and are considering leaving the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t live in fear forever<\/strong>,\u201d Ms. Jackson said. \u201cIf things don\u2019t get better, my family will leave as soon as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tyler Durden<\/a><\/span>
\nThu, 08\/10\/2023 – 21:40<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bhttps:\/\/www.zerohedge.com\/political\/failed-leadership-oakland-ca-faces-state-emergency-consequence-free-crime-soars<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Failed Leadership” – Oakland, CA Faces “State Of Emergency” As Consequence-Free Crime Soars Authored by Travis Gillmore via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Rising incidents…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1395930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1395930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1395930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1395930\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1395930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1395930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1395930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}