OPD Command Staff at Oakland Tech Public Safety Meeting – On Tuesday, April 8, 2014, Chief Sean Whent and the Oakland Police Department’s five area commanders spoke at a public safety committee meeting held at Oakland Tech High School. In an overview, the chief stated that year to date, Part 1 crimes (murder, assault with a firearm, sexual assault, robbery, and burglary) are down 15% compared to last year. Most significantly, non-fatal shootings are down 31% and robberies are down 36%. Area commanders reported on crime trends in their areas and how they are being addressed. Crime trends include street racing in Area 1, armed robberies in Area 2, human trafficking in Area 3, human trafficking and street robberies in Area 4, and gang gun violence in Area 5. OPD continues to focus on reducing crime, partnering with neighborhood groups and exploring a variety of options to address the problem of human trafficking.
OPD Make Arrest, Recover Illegally Possessed Weapons – On Monday, April 10, 2014 Oakland Police officers responded to the 600 block of 26th Street on a report of a man with a gun. During the preliminary investigation, the officers arrested a man matching the description provided by the witness and recovered two illegally possessed loaded firearms.
Murder Suspect Charged – Last week, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged Harold Thomas Smith, 22, of Oakland with murder and attempted murder for a shooting near Highland Hospital that took place February 22. Smith is accused of killing Innocent Okoronkwo Jr., 24, and injuring a 26-year-old man in the shooting. Smith was arrested for murder on April 1.
Largest Oakland Police Academy Class Graduates– On Friday, April 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. the 168th Oakland Police Academy graduated at the Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive. Interim Police Chief Sean Whent, Mayor Jean Quan, City Administrator Fred Blackwell, other City leaders, and the OPD command staff welcomed 47 recruits to the law enforcement family. No matter their unique characteristics, all recruits share the same quality – the desire to professionally serve the community of Oakland. The additional officers from this academy strengthen departmental resources, which will help OPD better collaborate with the community to carry out its mission of making Oakland a safer place.
