Oakland Continues to Face Violence Amid Ongoing Police Staffing Crisis: Only 490 Officers Available to Protect Oakland when 877 Cops are Needed
Oakland — (Special to ZennieReport.com) The Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) condemned violent and troubling attacks in Oakland that included multiple homicides, two separate attacks/threats on Oakland police officers, and a large sideshow over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend holiday.
Between Friday evening and Sunday night, Oakland experienced a surge in violence that placed residents, visitors, and police officers at serious risk, the union said.
On Friday evening and Saturday morning, two separate homicides occurred in Oakland. Both incidents remain under investigation.
In addition to these incidents, Oakland police officers were threatened in two separate encounters over the weekend:
- Saturday evening, during a service call, a suspect exited an apartment with a firearm in his waistband. The suspect was safely taken into custody without injuries to officers or the suspect, demonstrating restraint and professionalism under threat.
- Sunday evening, officers investigating a separate incident were nearly struck when a suspect intentionally swerved a vehicle toward them. Officers narrowly avoided being hit. As the vehicle fled, gunshots were fired from inside the vehicle. Oakland police engaged in three separate vehicle pursuits before successfully taking the suspect into custody in East Oakland. A firearm was recovered. No officers or community members were injured.
“These incidents underscore a disturbing reality: it is not acceptable—ever—for individuals to assault or threatened officers who are sworn to protect this city,” said OPOA President Huy Nguyen. “What is equally important to recognize is the professionalism shown by Oakland police officers. In both of these extremely dangerous encounters, suspects were taken into custody without being shot or harmed.”
Nguyen added, “Despite being short-staffed and often outnumbered, Oakland police officers continue to show up every day committed to keeping our communities safe. This weekend could have ended very differently, and it is a testament to our officers’ training, restraint, and dedication that it did not.”
The Oakland Police Officers Association continues to call for accountability, respect for the rule of law, and meaningful action to address violent crime, reckless behavior, and the ongoing staffing crisis facing the Oakland Police Department. The number of police in Oakland has now dropped to 490 sworn officers. The city needs 877 officers, according to a study by the city of Oakland. Right now, the city is short 387 sworn officers, placing the public and officers in harm’s way.
Police also grappled with a Sunday evening sideshow involving more than 60 vehicles and approximately 100 spectators took over multiple neighborhoods. The sideshow began along Foothill Boulevard, moved through the Grand Lake Theater area, and ultimately traveled to the Port of Oakland near 7th Street and Maritime Street, creating a dangerous, mobile car show that stretched from East Oakland to West Oakland and impacted police resources citywide.