Air horns and moving trucks: How Oakland, California, residents are facing a surge in crime | CNN

Surge in Crime in Oakland, California

Introduction

After 60-year-old retiree David Schneider was shot and killed in Oakland, California, his neighbor, Toni Bird, expressed concerns about safety and the need for increased security measures.

Police Recommendations

Amid the surge in crime, Oakland police have advised residents to use air horns to alert neighbors to intruders and add security bars to their doors and windows.

Response from Residents

Toni Bird, who recently moved to Oakland, has followed the police recommendations and installed air horns and security cameras around her home. She believes that the types of crime being committed are more violent and that vulnerable individuals are being targeted.

Community Activists Demand Action

Community activists, including the local NAACP, have demanded urgent action from city officials to ensure public safety, particularly in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

Call for a State of Emergency

In a letter, the NAACP Oakland Branch President and an Oakland pastor called on elected leaders to declare a state of emergency and allocate resources to address the public safety crisis.

Disagreements on Efforts to Stop Crime

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office refuted the NAACP’s claims of failed leadership and stated that they are disappointed with the false narrative presented by the organization.

Rise in Crime Statistics

While homicides have decreased by 14% in the last year, burglaries have increased by 41% and robberies by over 20% in Oakland, according to data from the city’s police department.

Focusing on Sustainable Solutions

The interim chief of the Oakland Police Department, Darren Allison, emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions for crime prevention, in addition to law enforcement.

Need for More Police Officers

The union representing Oakland police officers believes that the city needs more officers on the street to effectively address the rise in crime.

Commitment from City Officials

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao expressed her commitment to working with community partners to prevent crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. She acknowledged that more needs to be done to improve public safety.

Residents Fleeing the City

Some Oakland residents, like Kristin Cook, have chosen to leave the city due to the rise in crime. Cook, a lifelong resident, is moving to Texas for the safety of her son.

Optimism and Community Unity

Despite the challenges, Toni Bird remains optimistic and believes that things will change. The surge in crime has also brought her closer to her neighbors.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 16.1: Reduce violence everywhere
• SDG 11.7: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 16.1: Number of homicides and other violent crimes per 100,000 people
• Indicator for SDG 11.7: Percentage of the population with access to safe and affordable public transport

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Based on the article, the issues highlighted are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Under SDG 16, the specific target identified is to reduce violence everywhere (16.1). The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is the number of homicides and other violent crimes per 100,000 people. Under SDG 11, the specific target identified is to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all (11.7). The indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this target is the percentage of the population with access to safe and affordable public transport.

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Source: cnn.com

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