Oakland Sees Uptick In Community Members Reporting Crimes
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Oakland city leaders said they are encouraged by a recent trend of more community members coming forward to report crime.
Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said it's a sign that residents in the city want to take back their neighborhoods. He said proof is in the pudding following the recent arrests of suspects in a string of burglaries and a murder from earlier this month.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"I think that they're finally getting tired of the violence and being held captive in their own community," Jordan said. "So they're starting to step up and we appreciate the work that they're doing."
Jordan said the positive trend comes as he is urging more Oakland residents to participate in National Night Out on August 7.
"Part of National Night Out is to get the community involved and get them talking to us," he said. National Night Out is a crime/drug prevention event celebrated across the country, which brings communities together to raise awareness in the form of block parties and other neighborhood events.
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said it's become an important part of the growing process for neighborhoods in the city.
"Once you get to know each other and get to know each other's kids, you feel like you can say something to young people and that young people get to know you and I think it makes a real difference," Quan said.
In 2004, Oakland had just 35 National Night Out block parties. Last year, the city set a record with 560.
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