For Immediate Release: January 21, 2021
OPD NEWS:
The City of Oakland is facing a sharp rise in violent crime. Over the last seven days, we’ve had seven people tragically killed in Oakland. To date, our Homicide Division has already investigated 11 murders, compared to one at the same time last year.
The Department continues to direct resources to areas most
impacted by violence and trauma to deter further violence. OPD’s Ceasefire Team
is meeting with Mayor Libby Schaaf, the independent Department of Violence
Prevention and community partners to identify additional strategies to focus
the City’s attention towards reducing gun violence. Collectively, we are working
to provide assistance and support to loved ones and traumatized communities.
The City of Oakland is determined to once again decrease
shootings and homicides, as we did by 50% in just five years, the most dramatic
decrease in a major city, according
to the Giffords Law Center.
We are again asking our community to stand with us, “to put the
guns down and end the violence.” We ask each of you, “if you know something say
something.” Working together with the community we can help stop the tragic
loss of life in our city. Anyone with information can contact the Homicide
Section at (510) 238-3821.
Also, the Oakland Police Department and Crime Stoppers of
Oakland are offering reward money for any information leading to an arrest in
any or each of these cases. Reward money can be up to $10,000 for each arrest.
Tip Line is (510) 238-7950.
#OPDCARES initiative
is about working together as a community to help stop the tragic loss of life
and reduce the level of violence in our city. Collectively, we want to ensure
Oaklanders and our visitors are safe in our community.