Oakland police adding increased presence throughout the city

Rob Nesbitt
·2 min read

OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) – Residents in Oakland will notice more police on patrol starting Saturday. It’s part of the police department’s summer safety plan to crack down on crime.

The Summer Safety Plan in Oakland aims to implement crime prevention techniques to address violent crime two weeks after the city experienced a mass shooting during Juneteenth celebrations.

The chaos of Juneteenth is what the Oakland Police Department would like to avoid. Fourteen people were shot during a large gathering near Lake Merritt. Assistant Police Chief James Patrick Beere says responding officers helped prevent loss of life.

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“I will say this right now. A life was saved because of the police officers that were there that responded immediately,” he said.

OPD’s Summer Safety Plan will begin Saturday. More officers will be on patrol by car and on foot.

Beere says officers with a Special Resource Section will work with the department’s Ceasefire Division, which reduced homicides and shootings from 2012 to 2019.

“There’s going to be an increased presence of police officers citywide, but also focused enforcement, so we are going to target those individuals that are committing robberies, burglaries and engaging in violent crime,” he said.

California Highway Patrol and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office are also part of the Summer Safety Plan, conducting routine traffic stops and DUI enforcement operations.

“There are certain areas of the city where tragically we’ve lost lives to reckless driving and speeding. They will continue their enforcement,” Beere said.

Police are also asking the public to do their part this summer, offering these four tips to help reduce risk:

  • Be vigilant of suspicious individuals, as some suspects target distracted drivers.

  • Remain calm and do not resist.

  • Store items in your vehicle, or under your seat when possible.

  • If you are being followed, drive yourself to a safe location and call 911.

“The community is the most important piece in this, Beere said. “We’re not going to be able to do this alone, we’re not going to be able to make arrests for everything unless people are coming forward and providing us with information.”

Beere says OPD is still understaffed with 709 officers, but schedules are being adjusted to be able to staff the Summer Safety Plan.

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