America’s Democrat-run cities have declined in multiple ways in recent years.
The prevalence of crime in these cities has driven families and businesses away, but one city’s fortunes have especially worsened.
And a Juneteenth celebration in Gavin Newsom’s state went off the rails after an eruption of violence.
The Oakland Police Department’s most recent statistics aren’t very encouraging news for a city that has been dealing with an epidemic of crime in the past few years.
Robberies have increased by11 percent compared to a year ago, with residential robberies up by 118 percent.
Just within the first four months of 2024, more than 1,000 robberies happened within the city.
During this same time frame, police data shows 3,013 burglaries occurred in addition to 25 homicides.
These are frightening statistics, and what just occurred during the city’s Juneteenth celebration is only adding insult to injury.
Celebration turns into something sinister
The celebration took place on Wednesday Night but by the end of the day, it became marred by violence.
Police say that the event drew 5,000 people and was mostly peaceful.
That is, until night fell and a group of motorbikes and other vehicles showed up.
A fight broke out, and then things got worse.
Paul Chambers, Oakland Police Department’s strategic communications manager, said, “During that fight multiple shots rang out.”
When police tried to direct a crowd to safety, several people struck officers.
While police didn’t release information on the number of officers accosted, the incident was substantial.
KTVU reported that two dozen police vehicles arrived on the scene.
Twenty-eight officers and four sergeants were there, along with several ambulances.
Several city blocks were closed to traffic.
Tamia Robinson witnessed the violence and told KGO, “We were all celebrating, there were sideshows, couple of fights that were going on – next thing we know, we all thought we heard fireworks, so we ran from the direction.”
Robinson added, “Next thing you hear, another ‘boom, boom, boom, boom, boom’ from the other side of the lake. We come down here, walking, and my sister sprints across the street, where she’s seen one of her friends were laying out.”
In a statement released Thursday, Oakland Police said, “At this time, there are no reports of fatalities, and the exact number of those injured is still under investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. It is currently unknown if there was a single shooter or multiple shooters involved.”
Inaction on the crime epidemic may cost the mayor her job
The crime epidemic has been a major problem in Oakland in recent years and that has led to much angst by the local population.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao (D), who just last week saw her home raided by the FBI, is now facing a recall on November’s ballot.
The recall was made possible after community organizers gathered nearly double the required number of signatures needed, according to multiple reports.
Retired Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte has said that Thou has “blood on her hands” amid rising crime, grand theft auto, and instances of people being robbed on the street.
Stay tuned to Blue State Blues for any updates to this ongoing story.
