Oakland police launch summer safety plan and will continue efforts to suppress crime

OAKLAND — Chief of Police Floyd Mitchell and other commanders vowed Thursday to make the summer season safe for the city and to work to continue the ongoing reduction in crime.

Beginning Friday, residents and visitors will see an increased police presence throughout the city as the department launches its Summer Safety Plan, which focuses on reducing violent crime through crime prevention strategies, Mitchell said at a news conference Thursday.

Summer has traditionally seen a rise in crime over other seasons, but the chief said that all resources of the department will be utilized every day to prevent that from happening this year.

Mitchell said the goal of the plan is to “enhance community safety by combining proactive policing, strong community partnerships, and effective incident response.”

Among the plans are having existing foot patrol officers augment the patrol division to increase response times and enhance visibility in business districts. The Vice Unit will conduct undercover operations and long-term investigations to arrest those driving the demand for human trafficking in the city, he said.

Other law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Marshals, will assist Oakland police. And officials will work closely with county, state and federal prosecutors to make sure those arrested face charges where appropriate.

Mitchell said the department will continue to provide the community “with the best level of police services we are able to provide” and “we want you to enjoy all that Oakland has to offer in the area of arts, entertainment and dining. We have to work together to change the narrative that has plagued our town for too long.”

According to department data, through June 8 of this year, violent crime was down more than 30 percent and overall crime decreased by 28 percent. Deputy Chief Anthony Tedesco said the violent crime decrease included a 41 percent reduction in robberies and decreases in homicides and shootings. He thanked staff for their dedication and said the department would continue working “to keep the momentum going.”

He said everyone in the city should be allowed “to live, work and play without a fear” of being a victim of a crime.

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One event that will definitely have an increased police presence is the annual Juneteenth celebration June 19th, to be held around Lake Merritt.

After the event concluded last year, a sideshow broke out nearby, and rival groups got into a shootout, leaving more than a dozen people, including bystanders, wounded in the 400 block of Grand Avenue.

Police will be working with other city departments to facilitate public safety efforts around the lake and officers will be ready to issue citations and make arrests when necessary.

Patrol Lt. Steve Valle said police want to make sure “It is a safe holiday and a family friendly environment.”