Oakland crime down by 30%, but public safety concerns remain
Oakland crime may have dropped by more than 30% in 2024, but many are still not feeling safe in their communities.
Wednesday night, the Oakland Police Commission held a town hall to look at crime and the police department's controversial chase policy.
A group of community and business leaders held a rally before the town hall, wanting police to take a more aggressive approach to fight crime.
"It's crime tourism, and it's unfortunate, but the word has gotten out that Oakland is a great place to commit crime," said Edward Escobar with Citizens Unite.
The pursuit policy has received a lot of criticism from residents in Oakland where officers can only pursue a suspect if they believe they committed a violent forcible crime or if a gun was used in a crime.
Some feel easing guidelines on when police are able to chase suspects will put the community at risk. But Oakland's Interim Council President Noel Gallo feels something has to change.
"I live in East Oakland, and I see the robberies that are occurring. People come from out of town, rob, then take off in their car and officers sitting there watching," said Gallo.
The two main proposed changes are to increase the speed threshold of police chases to over 50 miles per hour and be able to pursue suspects in nonviolent forcible crimes such as commercial and residential burglaries.
"You come to Oakland and commit crime, you can jump in your car and take off," Gallo said. "We're going to chase you, and we're going to arrest you and you're going to do the time."
Governor Gavin Newsom has demanded Oakland change its pursuit policy. If it doesn't, he has threatened to pull CHP resources out of the area. Escobar, who led the recall efforts of former Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price said voters made it clear they want change.
"The people have spoken," he said. "There's a mandate from the people that's overwhelming that said they want solutions. They want to get results to fight this crime wave."