Fed up with crime? Do something!
Earlier this year, my partner Juan Rivera chased off two people attempting to break into our home in Oakland. Our proximity to two main freeways makes our area a target for car and home breakins. In the past few weeks, nearby neighbors experienced two home invasions and at least three attempted home burglaries.
These break-ins, and the growing number of news stories about Oakland’s increasing crime, compelled Juan, my 9-year-old son and me to organize a neighborhood gathering to do something about it.
I created a contact list on Google Sheets, texted 10 neighbors, and asked them to invite others. In the days that followed, whenever I encountered neighbors, I introduced myself and extended an invitation to the meeting. I followed up with each neighbor individually, knowing people were less likely to respond to a group message, especially elderly neighbors who weren’t techsavvy.
Over 30 neighbors showed up at our house for the meeting. Among them were an older couple who had moved in three weeks ago, a mom with a 2-year-old who grew up in the area, a family who lived in their home for over 40 years and our almost 85-year-old neighbor who I had never seen before, even though we lived on the same block. We were a diverse group — Asian American, Black, Latinx, white, LGBTQ, multiracial, young couples, parents, grandparents and more.
As people arrived, I passed around a notebook to get everyone’s name, address, cell phone and email, along with parcel maps to better identify who lives where. We served appetizers and drinks. Someone brought a tray of freshly cooked gyozas.
I’ll admit, even though I called the meeting, I didn’t know what to expect. My hope was that it could help bring a scared community together. But after reading unhelpful comments on platforms like Nextdoor, I had concerns the discussion would turn negative, unproductive and divisive.
Juan kicked off the one-hour meeting by chanting “If everyone can hear me clap, once, twice, three times.”
We then welcomed the group and emphasized our desire to build community. Everyone introduced themselves, shared how long they have lived in the neighborhood and their experiences with crime.
During this process we learned all the recent break-ins had occurred during the day and almost always through the back of the house. A young couple whose home had been ransacked a week before shared that when they called 911 on their cellphone they were routed to the California Highway Patrol, likely due to the proximity to the freeways. They shared the direct line to the Oakland Police Department, which is 510-777-3211.
All of this information was empowering and helped us to brainstorm.
One neighbor suggested we form a neighborhood watch and put out signs. A retired police officer neighbor shared how important it was to look out for each other, that “without neighbors being the eyes and ears, the police can’t do anything.” She also suggested alerting the group when one of us feels threatened or unsafe. Go to a neighbor’s house and identify ourselves by our address if we need help.
Someone else suggested getting Club steering wheel locks for our cars to prevent theft. A few said they were investing in better fencing. Pet parents expressed how even the smallest dog helps deter a crime.
A theme emerged that, together, we could take back our streets.
We agreed to gather monthly. A neighbor who formed a small WhatsApp group offered to expand it to the rest of us. We planned to gather contact info for neighbors who didn’t attend the meeting.
I can safely say all of us walked away feeling more connected to each other.
I followed up a few days later with notes and reached out to neighbors who couldn’t be there. Our original contact list of 10 has since grown to 55.
The WhatsApp group has become the primary way we connect with each other. Neighbors who live closer to the freeway entrance alert us about possible abandoned vehicles. Some of us have started attending neighborhood council meetings together.
A recent poll of Oakland voters shows crime and public safety are top of mind for Oakland voters, with 92% wanting elected officials to focus on reducing crime. But creating safety requires all of us to participate. It’s about building relationships with neighbors beyond waving hello in passing.
The narrative that law enforcement is the only answer to public safety just isn’t realistic. When the police arrive at a scene, it’s almost always too late. We cannot incarcerate our way to safety.
I never thought that a neighborhood gathering prompted by fear could affirm my love for Oakland and the people who live here. We genuinely feel safer because of this newfound connection to our neighbors. This is something law enforcement cannot do. Safety is shared. It’s cultivated in community with others, not for us to weather alone or delegate to others to solve.
Our neighborhood in Oakland isn’t the only one suffering from rising anxieties over crime. I encourage everyone in the Bay Area to take a pause — acknowledge the fear, the blaming and the negative news headlines. But think of the larger equation. You play a larger role in keeping your neighborhood safe than you think. This isn’t going to solve everything, but it does help break out of the cycle of helplessness, fear and isolation.
Being in a community means we are not alone. We keep us safe.