Oakland Police Department Report Lists No Comprehensive Crime Fighting Plan
OAKLAND (CBS SF)— Oakland city leaders admitted in a recent report that, despite daily battles against violent crimes and robberies, the city does not have a city-wide crime fighting plan.
The 28-page report, signed by the police chief and written to the Oakland City Council says right on the first page, "Oakland does not have a city-wide crime reduction plan."
The report was in support of an Oakland Police Department request for additional recruits for a 2013 academy. The City Council had said previously, before approving funds, they first wanted to see a city-wide crime reduction strategy.
Police Chief Howard Jordan spoke at the conference that was held to publicize recent robbery arrests, but referred any questions regarding the city's plan on crime to City Administrator Deanna Santana.
She said, while the department has made strides in community policing and in partnerships with other agencies like the California Highway Patrol, police are hampered by an increase in crime and badly needed resources in the city's DNA crime lab. Santana maintained the city is focused on creating a comprehensive long-term crime reduction plan.
"The report that was authored was by the police department. It has offered crime fighting strategies. However, what the council has asked for earlier in the year is a city-wide plan that integrates all of the departments and looks at other services we can put toward fighting crime," said Santana. "That would require some additional resources."
In an interview with CBS 5's Joe Vazquez, Mayor Jean Quan seemed to dismiss the statement.
"We have many strategies," Quan said. "That's not how I interpret that…How I interpret is that different parts of the city have different needs."
KCBS' Jeffrey Schuab Reports:
Oakland police have been understaffed after a series of layoffs. Ironically, on the same day as the conference, the city would introduce its new class of 166 police cadets.
Mayor Quan weighed in on staffing and said hiring even more officers is a tough sell. She cited a recent poll that showed a majority of the city's residents want more police, but only 38 percent are willing to pay for it.
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