Is increased CHP support helping in Oakland?

Also: Encampment closure, City sues OUSD, restaurant owners band together

Sep 22, 2024

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Story of the week

Photo from Florence Middleton/CalMatters

Gov. Newsom gave an update on the CHP’s ongoing surge operation in Oakland that the state initiated earlier this year.

Rewind: In February, Newsom deployed 120 CHP officers in an initial short-term operation to fight organized crime, gun violence, car jackings, sideshows, and other crime. In July, he quadrupled the number of officer shifts to crack down further after the successful first wave.

By the numbers: Data shows that the CHP’s involvement in Oakland is working. Since February, the surge operation has led to:

930 arrests
1,809 stolen vehicles recovered
93 firearms seized

More than one-third of those arrests came in the past 2 months since Newsom quadrupled the number of shifts across the city. For reference, Oakland PD made ~5,600 arrests in 2023.

City officials have touted the decline in homicides and gun violence compared to last year, although public safety remains a top concern among voters. 9 in 10 Oaklanders say they are concerned about crime.

In 2023, Alameda County had the highest homicide, violent crime, and property crime rates among the 10 largest counties in California.

Still work to be done: The CHP Commissioner said, “We are seeing progress, but our work is far from over. By stepping up enforcement and engaging in surge operations, we're continuing to make strides in addressing crime in Oakland.”

Tech upgrades: Newsom also said CHP completed its installation of hundreds of Flock license plate cameras on nearby state roads and highways, which he announced earlier in March.

This includes 100 cameras on Oakland streets installed by Oakland PD.
The addition of surveillance cameras has already assisted with sideshows, freeway shootings, and getting illegal ghost guns off streets.
For example, earlier this month, CHP arrested two armed carjacking suspects following an alert from a Flock camera near Fruitvale and E. 17th.

Two sides: While Newsom’s intervention – which spans CHP deployment to staffing at the DA’s office – has been welcomed by residents and business owners, it has drawn criticism from police accountability and privacy groups.

The City of Oakland’s Privacy Advisory Commission Chair called it a “hostile takeover from Sacramento” and the Anti Police-Terror Project prefers investment for community-based violence prevention programs.

Following a double homicide earlier this month, the city cleared a long-standing encampment on MLK Jr. Way in West Oakland. The move comes amidst intense pressure from Gov. Newsom and ahead of the November election. Nearly 40 people were removed from the area – 25 of which opted for shelter – and 80,000 lbs of trash and three abandoned cars were cleared. (KRON)
The City of Oakland and Oakland Unified School District are fighting over who’s responsible for more than $2M in school board election costs dating back to 2020. Outgoing city attorney Barbara Parker brought the lawsuit against OUSD, with the district saying unlike other cities where the city appoints the school board, Oakland holds elections and the cost burden should be on the city. If the case goes to litigation, it will tie up even more money and resources as the city and OUSD face bigger challenges like rising lead contamination in water at schools. (KQED)
Councilmembers Janani Ramachandran and Kevin Jenkins are proposing to revert campaign contribution limits back their 2022 levels. Currently, individual donors can only donate $600 to candidates and committees are limited to $1,200. These are down from $900 and $1,800, respectively. While a nominal difference, the total amounts are much smaller than neighboring cities, with Ramachandran saying “every dollar counts in the final months before elections happen.” (East Bay Insiders)
A group of Oakland restaurant owners are taking matters into their own hands to change the script on dining out in Oakland. The move comes as many diners cite public safety as a reason for not wanting to go out as often. (NBC)
The agreement to bring the A’s to Sacramento could be in jeopardy. According to baseball mega-agent Scott Boras, the MLB players’ union hasn’t agreed to field upgrades, citing health and safety reasons, including the new artificial turf going in at Sutter Health Park. (KFBK)

🍕 Oakland Proud

After losing the Covid-era pizza sensation nearly three years ago, June’s Pizza is back in West Oakland at a new brick-and-mortar location. The shop on Mandela Parkway opened on Friday and is available for dine-in reservations, walk-ins, and online ordering. Owner Craig Murli spoke to the SF Chronicle about his journey back and desire to be a “lighthouse on this side of the Bay, inviting people to show [West Oakland] the love it deserves.”

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