Like many big cities across the country, Oakland has seen a major spike in violence this year.
“And what we’re all seeing are very, very significant spikes in crime,” said Interim Police Chief Susan Manheimer. The department says homicides are up 62 percent and gunfire is up 63 percent compared to this time last year. “These are pretty staggering numbers.”
Most recently, two murders happened with just 30 minutes of each other on Monday.
The impact is being felt most in East Oakland.
“Those same communities that are experiencing the highest levels in crimes of violence and gunfire are those same communities that are being hit so hard with the COVID-19 disease and pandemic,” said Manheimer, who believes it is no coincidence. “We start to recognize that the impacts that the pandemic has had are causing some of the increase in the violence and the tension and angst within our communities.”
She cites the economy, job losses, lack of healthcare and lack of internet for distance learning as issues facing these communities.
In response, Deputy Chief LeRonne Armstrong says they are doubling down on their Ceasefire program, which is aimed at reducing gang violence, and sending out extra patrols to increase visibility in those hard hit communities.
“You’ll see officers driving around in cars but also on bicycles and walking… even within the pandemic it’s important that the community sees their police officers out there so that we can help be a deterrent.”
Before the pandemic, Oakland had seen a five year decrease in gun crime of almost 50 percent.