In response to a growing public safety crisis, community leaders in Oakland have sent a letter to city and county officials, demanding immediate action. The letter, signed by Oakland NAACP President Cynthia Adams and Bishop Bob Jackson of the Acts Full Gospel Church, calls for a state of emergency to be declared in response to an alarming increase in violent crimes. This uptick includes deadly shootings, home invasions, carjackings, gunpoint robberies of businesses, and even the armed robbery of an 80-year-old ice cream vendor.
According to Bishop Jackson, the community’s call for help is urgent. He spoke of frequent pleas for assistance from families in East Oakland and other parts of the city. The letter requests that leaders unite to address the public safety crisis, which the signatories believe has been exacerbated by failed leadership, the movement to defund the police, and the district attorney’s reluctance to charge and prosecute individuals who commit life-threatening crimes.
The letter also advocates for assistance from Californian, Alameda County, and state law enforcement, and the implementation of job training and mentorship programs to offer young people alternatives to crime.
Despite the urgency of their appeal, Cynthia Adams and Bishop Jackson confirmed that they have not yet received any response from either the mayor, the chief of police, or the Alameda County district attorney. This incident highlights the urgent need for robust action to safeguard public safety and restore peace in Oakland.