Oakland Mayor-Elect Libby Schaaf Envisions 80% Reduction In Crime: 'I Plan To Make It Happen'
OAKLAND (KCBS) – It was a major part of her campaign and now that she has won the race, Oakland Mayor-elect Libby Schaaf said she will have a "laser focus" on public safety in the city.
Schaaf said she has seen other cities have success in reducing crime, and feels that under her leadership, it can happen in Oakland.
"Other cities have become safer. An 80 percent reduction in crime in cities like Los Angeles and New York – I want that for Oakland and I plan to make it happen," she said.
Schaaf said she has spent time studying what has been successful in these other cities and has noticed a different type of policing and perhaps more importantly, an adequately staffed police force.
"[We have to] make sure that our officers are utilizing modern data tools, being proactive problem solvers, and intervening in criminal activity before it happens," Schaaf said.
Her goal is to have a police force of 925 for what she refers to as "full community policing." But over the next few years, Schaaf said she believes they can realistically get to 800 officers.
"Knowing that it takes a year-and-a-half to create a new police officer, knowing that we have a lot of retirements coming up, and growing at a rate that not only is feasible for the organization, but is financially sustainable,' she said.
Schaaf said she is excited to, in her own words, "make significant progress" when it comes to combating crime in Oakland.
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