OAKLAND, CA —The City of Oakland is pleased to announce an expansion of its safety camera network with the installation of new cameras along key business corridors in East Oakland, specifically the Hegenberger Avenue corridor.
The investment was made possible through close collaboration among the business community, the City Council Offices in the East Oakland districts five and six, the Oakland Police Department (OPD), and the City of Oakland’s Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD).
As part of the initiative, the City Council allocated $150,000 to fund the deployment of safety cameras along Hegenberger Avenue. The City’s EWDD team coordinated with the Owners and Operators business association and a number of businesses along the corridor to identify optimal camera locations. Each site features multiple, high-performance cameras strategically placed to offer comprehensive coverage of businesses and surrounding areas. Camera recipients were selected using a data-driven approach, incorporating intelligence and insights from the Oakland Police Department (OPD).
"Lights are on. Cameras are rolling. Now, it’s time for Oakland to take real action. That action starts with installing these long-overdue safety cameras along the Hegenberger corridor. But we didn’t stop there. On January 6th, we removed 246 stolen cars from District 7, tackling the infamous car graveyard with the crucial help of Union Pacific, community leaders, and local business owners. We also restored two blocks of streetlights that had been left unattended for nearly a decade, bringing much-needed visibility back to our streets," said District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston. "These cameras and improved lighting are key tools in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)—a proven strategy that increases visibility, deters crime, and makes people feel safe in their own neighborhoods. I’m calling on all business owners and residents in Oakland to reach out to their elected councilmembers and see how we can work together for a cleaner, safer city. If you’re in District 7, email me at district7@oaklandca.gov, and let’s take real action for Oakland."
“I am thrilled that the $150,000 I secured in the FY 21-23 budget to fund these cameras has finally come to fruition," said former District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid. "Our community members, residents, and business owners have waited through two budget cycles for this program to be implemented. This expansion of the Citywide public safety program addresses the advocacy of community and business leaders for resources to combat gun violence, retail theft, and other socioeconomic challenges that disproportionately impact East Oakland. The launch of this program in the Hegenberger Corridor reinforces our commitment to investing in innovative solutions, along with Flock camera technology, demanded by the community for public safety. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors through this and other critical efforts underway.”
"The Economic and Workforce Development Department works closely with our community partners to advance a shared vision for safe and thriving business corridors and neighborhoods," said Ashleigh Kanat, Director of Oakland's Economic and Workforce Development Department. "The Hegenberger Corridor is an important gateway and a critical economic engine in the City, and we will continue our coordinated investment in the Corridor."
“This safety enhancement is a welcome improvement for our guests and associates,” said Jeff Wang, Chief Operating Officer for Panda Restaurant Group. “We appreciate the city’s commitment to the safety of our community and look forward to our continued partnership. We especially want to thank former Councilmember Reid, City Administrator Jestin Johnson and all the city officials who made this possible.”
Along with installation, businesses will receive access to online/cloud-based services, in-person training sessions to operate cameras, viewing footage, and sharing video with law enforcement when requested.
The City of Oakland, the Port of Oakland, local businesses and workers, and area residents have long worked together to invest in and improve the vital Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.
Starting in 2023, as safety and economic issues struck the area, that work was ramped up, including a strengthening of coordination with the corridor’s business owners and operators and the increased focus and efforts by the City and its partners. Today’s announcement reflects the latest progress as the City and its partners build out a long-term, holistic strategy to support the corridor. The City shares its partners’ strong commitment to making major improvements to safety and fostering long-term economic development in this area.
This increased coordination and investment has already yielded positive results. Auto burglary, robberies and thefts in the area are all significantly down compared to last year.
The Hegenberger Corridor initiative also builds upon broader investments in public safety, including the privately-funded SafeCity Connect program and the establishment of the Downtown Corridor Safety Program. The Downtown Corridor Safety Program was grant-funded in 2024 as a community-based crime prevention effort led by the Downtown Partnership convened by the Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce and implemented by the Business Improvement Districts and business community-serving organizations in Downtown Oakland. A Task Force of representatives oversees the program: Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council, Uptown Downtown Community Benefit Districts, Koreatown Northgate Business Improvement District, and the Jack London Improvement District to implement the Downtown Corridor Safety Grant, which allowed efficient, catalytic expansion of operationalized, public-serving camera infrastructure.
These programs collectively support 421 camera sensors across more than 38 city blocks, making Oakland’s neighborhoods safer for residents, workers and visitors while creating a platform for businesses to coordinate and communicate across the network. Applied Video Solutions (AVS), the vendor for SafeCity Connect, is a key partner in the project, providing technical support, training and camera maintenance.
In addition to the camera installation in the Hegenberger corridor, Oakland Public Works (OPW) has been street sweeping twice per month, clearing illegal dumping on a weekly basis, and more frequently abating vegetation and weeds along the corridor. In the lead up to the NBA-All Star Game, OPW has collaborated with Caltrans and the Beautification Council to target litter cleanup on the freeway ramps near the stadium, and around the Capital Corridor station.
City of Oakland Department of Transportation has prioritized paving and striping in the Hegenberger vicinity, including significant work on Edes Avenue (full paving plan maps are available here).
The Hegenberger Corridor and the surrounding areas support critical businesses and jobs and also generate significant sales tax revenue. Ultimately the City is confident that this new surveillance equipment camera system along with other prevention tools, including a visible OPD presence, will provide a valuable resource for the businesses in this area and demonstrate the City’s commitment to the security of the shoppers, business owners, and employees of this business community.
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