For Immediate Release November 24, 2021
OPD NEWS: OPD will Increase Staffing to Address Armed Caravans and Sideshows
This Holiday weekend, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) will have additional staffing to address the increase in violent crime. Last weekend, the City of Oakland was inundated with armed roving caravans who targeted dozens of businesses, including pharmacies, retail shops, and a large number of cannabis operations. Individuals within the caravans are heavily armed and have exchanged gunfire with armed security employed by some of the cannabis businesses. Individuals within the caravans also fired multiple rounds at OPD officers responding to a burglary in progress early Monday morning. Thankfully no residents, security guards, or officers were injured.
In an effort to keep our residents and visitors safe, OPD will deploy several tactical teams to support the patrol officers who are responding to the armed caravans, illegal sideshows, and other violent crimes. The tactical teams are highly skilled in de-escalating incidents, using less-lethal options alongside the department’s emergency rescue vehicles.
Our additional staffing will also be able to help facilitate those who may plan peaceful gatherings as a result of the Ahmaud Arbery verdict.
OPD encourages residents & businesses to consider installing security cameras. https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/register-your-security-camera
On Monday, OPD Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong addressed the recent violent crime and the department’s plan to address the armed caravans and violence in the link to the news conference below.
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