Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao stated that the city is actively addressing the surge in crime by investing in violence prevention programs and strengthening collaboration with the governor and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
Thao emphasized the need for a unified effort, stating, “This is not a one-person job; this requires a partnership involving the entire city. We are united in this pursuit.”
Thao’s remarks were made after a press conference held at the Port of Oakland. The focus on public safety follows a call from the Oakland NAACP urging city officials to declare a state of emergency regarding crime and criticizing their silence on the issue.
According to data, Oakland has witnessed an 18% increase in violent crime compared to the same period last year, with robberies rising by 27%, burglaries by 44%, and vehicle thefts by 47%.
Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the mayor and police department’s request by dispatching CHP officers and automatic license plate readers to Oakland. Thao confirmed the presence of CHP officers in the city.
Regarding recall efforts against Alameda County DA, Pamela Price, Thao refrained from direct comment but confirmed her engagement with the district attorney’s office, emphasizing stronger collaboration with the Oakland Police Department on ongoing cases.
Thao emphasized her belief in continued collaboration despite political circumstances, stating, “I don’t think it’s conducive for me to stop working with somebody because of something political happening.”