Oakland Grapples With Rising Crime: 'When the Cop Leaves, They Come'.

Oakland, California is grappling with a rise in crime, particularly in the Hegenberger Road area near the Oakland International Airport. Businesses in the area, including In-N-Out Burger, Denny's, and Starbucks, have closed due to car break-ins and robberies. Violent crime in Oakland has increased by 21% in 2023, with robberies up 38% and motor vehicle theft up 45%. The Oakland Police Department is understaffed and lacks a chief, contributing to the rise in crime. The city is increasing police recruitment and investing in community and violence-intervention efforts to improve public safety. California Governor Gavin Newsom is sending highway patrol officers to help local law enforcement, and attorneys from the California National Guard and state Department of Justice will be deployed to ramp up criminal prosecutions. The rise in crime has had a negative impact on the city, with residents leaving and those who remain afraid to go out. Some companies, such as Clorox and Kaiser Permanente, have increased security measures for their employees. [Extracted from the article]