The Blue City’s mayor, who is facing a recall election, touted crime “down” in a recent speech, but the city’s police association doesn’t think the Democratic Party’s claims have any basis.

Democratic Party Mayor Sheng Tao gave his State of the Union address. claimed Violent and non-violent crimes such as “robbery, auto theft and break-ins” are down, and the city’s overall progress is “nothing short of impressive,” he said. But Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) President Huy Nguyen told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Thao’s victory is premature as some crime data will be incomplete until at least early 2025. Ta.

“The number of murders, those numbers are accurate,” Nguyen told DCNF. “However, other crimes are generally less accurate because reporting systems are not up to date, and information is not available until shortly after the end of the year when staff can take stock of the situation.” process. ” (Related: Despite Biden’s claim that America is safe, violent crime creates a ‘dystopian hell’)

Tao faces a recall election in November after a massive crime wave hit the city under her watch. The 2023 citywide crime report shows a 44% increase in auto thefts, a 38% increase in robberies, a 21% increase in violent crimes, and a 17% increase in crime overall compared to 2022. A July poll showed strong support for her recall, with 56% of respondents agreeing that she should not serve as president. According to To David Binder Research.

Mayor’s office points DCNF to Oakland Police Department’s recent Oct. 6 crime numbers when asked for comment. Data shows violent crime is down 19%, auto theft is down 25%, robbery is down 54% and theft is down 29% compared to 2023.

The data also shows a 2456% increase in the category of robberies labeled “unknown” and a 3% increase in robberies using “other dangerous weapons.”

“The best way someone could explain it to me is, [that] We are trying to keep patients alive in the ICU,” Nguyen told DCNF. It’s very unfortunate, but we should be able to serve people. We should not reduce the resources we have. It would be a completely bare-bones system, responding only to 911 calls, and then many other calls would have to be cut back. ”

Every year, the mayor of this beautiful city is asked for an update on the current state of our city…to share where we stand as a community and where we aim to go. is.

You can view the entire presentation here. https://t.co/eX73WhtWTM

— Mayor Sheng Thao (@MayorShengThao) October 16, 2024

“I stood here in my State of the City address last year and said public safety is our top priority and the spike in crime we experienced last year was unacceptable,” Tao said during his speech. “We have had to take a hard look at our situation and work with the excellent Oakland Police Department and the Office of Violence Prevention to take action. What I can say today is that crime is down.”

In June, Tao’s home was also searched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of an unspecified investigation. She maintains her innocence and said she “will not be threatened with removal from this office.”

He also fired former Oakland Police Chief Ruron Armstrong in February after he was placed on administrative leave for allegedly failing to investigate a hit-and-run involving a police car and an officer-involved shooting of a deadly weapon.

Recall that Sheng Tao, whose group is leading the effort to oust the mayor, claimed: end He said there was “no reason” the arbitrator’s report exonerated him.

Mr. Tao reduced the workforce of the Oakland Police Department (OPD), reducing the number of sworn officers from 728 to 678. According to Off to Oaklandside in August. Nguyen told DCNF that troop strength could drop to just 600 troops if the Oakland Coliseum sale does not go through.

“If we continue to create this environment, this city will be out of business,” Nguyen told DCNF. “If you look at all these small businesses, their businesses are constantly being broken into. They’re having a hard time getting insurance policies.”

One small business owner, Oscar Edwards, said he may be forced out of business due to crime after his store was robbed twice in February. According to To KRON 4 news in April.

“I’ve never seen a situation where the economy is the way it is and the city isn’t supporting small businesses the way they should be,” Edwards told KRON 4.

Bar owner JJ Jenkins had to close early after the Juneteenth shooting happened just blocks away from his business, injuring 14 people. According to In the San Francisco Chronicle in July.

“It’s chaos,” Jenkins told the Chronicle. “Every time I think the pendulum has swung, it’s like Juneteenth. [shooting] happens. And I don’t think it’s over yet. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. ”

Big chains are also exposed to the crime wave. California fast food staple In-N-Out Burger decided to close its stores in January due to crime. According to To the Associated Press. This is the first time in the chain’s history that a restaurant has closed.

“Her legacy will be the destruction of police departments,” Nguyen told DCNF.

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