Oakland hoping foot patrols deter crime
Oakland will send a police foot patrol to walk the city's retail corridors — an effort to address public safety concerns expressed by local businesses and to attract more shoppers in the city.
Mayor Sheng Thao, Acting Police Chief Darren Allison and business leaders revealed Tuesday that the team of one sergeant and six officers will begin patrolling different business corridors next week.
“We are committed to a safe Oakland for every person who lives here, who works here, who visits and who plays here,” Thao said.
The announcement comes as businesses express alarm over robberies and the city struggles to address public safety concerns amid police staffing woes. The department now has 713 sworn officers — the highest number in nearly a year.
Last November, former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf announced a holiday crime prevention plan that included increasing the number of civilian ambassadors, security guards and traffic control officers in the city from September through December, a program that helped the city reduce some crimes, Allison said.
Thao, who took office in January, promised during the campaign to add foot patrols in the city's commercial districts and neighborhoods. She has also promised to invest more in violence prevention efforts, a commitment she reiterated Tuesday.
“While our public safety officers are instrumental in this effort, we all know a safer Oakland is going to involve participation from our violence prevention organizations, community leaders, regional partners and other city departments,” Thao said, adding that Tuesday's announcement demonstrates the “type of innovative work that will help us be more responsive, more effective.”
The plan to address public safety issues comes amid questions about the future of the city's police chief. Thao placed LeRonne Armstrong on leave last month after an outside investigation found he mishandled two misconduct cases. On Tuesday, Thao said that there is no update on the status of Armstrong's job and that she is “taking the investigation very seriously.”
In addition to new launching the walking team, Allison said, the department would continue having downtown foot patrols, traffic enforcement and community liaison officers in Fruitvale, deep East Oakland, Chinatown and Little Saigon. The department will also work with the Alameda County Sheriff 's Office to enforce traffic safety around the airport.
Allison said the new walking team, funded by a $1.8 million state grant, will patrol Monday through Friday during business hours. It's unclear how long the program will last.
Business leaders applauded the latest effort.
Savlan Hauser, executive director of the Jack London Improvement District, said the city will “thrive when everyone feels safe.”