Arrests, car recoveries and gun seizures rise in Oakland

NAACP leader says it's a good start but more work is needed

A law enforcement surge involving several undercover sting operations over the past eight weeks has led to 181 arrests, the seizure of more than 30 guns linked with crimes and the recovery of 414 stolen vehicles, state authorities said Wednesday.

It may even get Oaklanders — fatigued by headlines and frequent complaints about the city's crime problem — feeling a bit safer if the trend continues, observers said.

“Right now, it's a long ways from making people feel safe,” NAACP Oakland executive committee member Robert Harris

said Wednesday. “But people will take comfort in the fact that some people are doing something to deal with the crime situation here, and we're appreciative for that.”

The surge by the California Highway Patrol began in February and has targeted auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime and added high-visibility traffic enforcement. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in March that the state was installing a network of 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and the East Bay to help state and local law enforcement identify vehicles linked to crimes.

“Carjackers, drug traffickers and thieves need to be arrested and held accountable for their crimes,” Newsom said in a statement. “The state will continue to support local law enforcement in Oakland and across California to effectively combat criminal activity and hold perpetrators accountable.”

Among the charges facing those who have been arrested are possession of stolen property, auto theft, transportation of narcotics, DUI and felony gun possession, authorities said. Suspects also were arrested on outstanding warrants.

The initial surge in January and February resulted in 71 arrests, 145 stolen cars recovered and the seizure of four guns used in crimes.

“No question about it,” Harris said, when asked if the surge by authorities has been noticeable. “Any time you can have that many vehicles recovered, that makes a difference. And all of those arrests — all of these are critical to Oakland in terms of increasing the safety goals.”

According to Newsom, California has invested $1.1billion since 2019 to fight crime.