Contact: Oakland Police Officers' Association

Phone: (510) 834-9670 

Email: policeofficers@opoa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

OAKLAND – As we approach Mayor Sheng Thao's State of the City address, Oakland faces a critical moment. City officials, law enforcement, community leaders, and concerned citizens must come together to secure our city’s safety, well-being, and prosperity. That need was underlined by the chilling revelation this weekend that Oakland suffered its 100th homicide for the year. 2023 is the fourth consecutive year with 100+ homicides. Before 2020, 2019 had 78 homicides, the seventh consecutive year there were less than 100 killings. 

However, 100 homicides in 2023 is not an isolated crime statistic . Startling increases have been reported across all major crime categories, including Robbery (up 35%), Carjacking (up 22%), Motor Vehicle Theft (up 51%), and Burglaries (up 36%).  

These statistics paint a stark picture of Oakland's public safety crisis, marked by a shortage of law enforcement personnel, the absence of a permanent police chief, and a mayoral administration that lacks a comprehensive public safety strategy. Oakland Police Officers' Association President Barry Donelan voiced his concerns, emphasizing, "Residents and police officers anxiously await tomorrow's State of the City address to learn if there's a concrete public safety plan to combat surging crime." Donelan underscored the critical crossroads Oakland's public safety has reached.

Currently, Oakland's police department maintains a sworn staffing of 711 officers, with a maximum budgeted number of 712 officers. This is the lowest budgeted number of police officers Oakland has had since 2014.