Oakland Had Fewest Murders In 20 Years, But Shootings Were Up in 2018

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Photo credit Doug Sovern/ KCBS Radio

The number of murders in Oakland fell for an unprecedented sixth straight year in 2018 as the city marked significant gains in lowering many forms of crime. 

Serious crimes fell overall by 11 percent, including 25 percent fewer auto break-ins and a 20 percent drop in residential burglaries, according to figures presented on Thursday by city officials.

Murders dropped from 71  in 2017 to 68 last year, the lowest total since 1999. 

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said the city is still overcoming a negative reputation despite the recent strides in improving safety. 

"It has been frustrating when people have seen Oakland first through this lens of violent crime," said Schaaf. 

#Oakland Mayor @LibbySchaaf hails 6th straight year of falling homicide rate, unprecedented in city history. 4-year average number of murders is lowest ever. 68 killed in 2018. “Every one of these lives lost is a tragedy,” she says, but Operation Ceasefire is working pic.twitter.com/fah5t5KsXw

— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) January 3, 2019

Still, the number of shootings increased last year and some high-profile crimes at the start of 2019 will not burnish the city's reputation. Early on New Year's Day, a 6-year-old girl was struck in the head with a bullet, allegedly from celebratory gunfire. Later, a 14-year-old boy was dragged for several blocks by a hit-and-run driver. 

"The mantra needs to be: 'Put your guns down,'" said Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick.

The girl remains hospitalized from the gunshot wound, but her condition is improving, according to a police department spokeswoman. 

The teen however was gravely injured by the driver. 

Police are asking for suspects in both cases to turn themselves in to authorities. 

San Jose, meanwhile, reported an increase in violent crime last year.