Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will continue to support Oakland and the East Bay in an ongoing crime crackdown on the condition reforms are made and the city's pursuit policy is updated.
The announcement to extend state law enforcement support in the East Bay for another month was made Friday during a news briefing in Alameda County, where the governor and other officials highlighted progress made this year after the California Highway Patrol started working with local agencies as part of undercover sting operations.
"This is a spectacular city. It remains a spectacular city. But it's lost its way a little bit. It's lost a little bit of confidence," Newsom said of Oakland. "But we can revise that sense of spirit and pride. It's all about community and that's why I'm here to reinvigorate that sense of optimism and possibility back into Oakland. But it starts foundationally with public safety -- it's at a tipping point."
Newsom said Oakland Police Department's policy limits officers from pursuing suspects. A letter was sent in July to the Oakland Police Commission requesting a change in the policy, but the governor said "they turned their back, they didn't change the policy."
"This is not open ended," Newsom said of CHP supporting Oakland. "We need to see that policy change. This commitment from the state cannot continue unless we see commensurate changes with our partners here in Oakland."
The governor also referenced the recent recalls of former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price and former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on people wanting to see progress.
"Voters have spoken and we need to see the change that the people of Oakland, and for that matter folks here in Alameda County deserve," Newsom said. "And we are prepared to continue to support those efforts, but we need to see reforms."
Oakland police are currently only allowed to pursue someone if they are suspected of a violent crime or when a gun is present.
"Oakland can not afford to now continue to be an outlier," Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce CEO Barbara Leslie said at Friday's briefing. "Criminals know they can act with little consequence putting our residents, workers and visitors at risk."
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Supporters of the current policy argue police chases are dangerous and disproportionately target people of color. But Oakland Councilmember Kevin Jenkins believes the added pressure could trigger a turning point.
"The city administrator is going to help the OPD chief come up with a policy and that will go to the police commission," Jenkins said. "As the governor said, we need this with urgency. We don’t want our police chasing folks for jaywalking, but we do want a balanced approach."
The police commission responded to the governor's comments with a statement, saying in part: "We give our commitment to respond to the call for action and to do our part to work with city leadership to make Oakland a safer place by implementing smart policy and best practices to deter reckless behavior."
The commission currently plans to discuss potential changes at the end of January, but Newsom is urging them to call a special session.
"They can do so with urgency, with conviction, to address the issue at hand, the crisis at hand," Newsom said. "I would expect and demand that they do. And the demand comes with this, not a closed fist, but an open hand of support."
In July, the governor quadrupled CHP resources in Oakland to help tackle property crime, retail theft and sideshows. The results include $13 million worth of stolen goods returned and 1,400 arrests.
Gov. Newsom talks public safety as he announces the extension of CHP resources in the East Bay, including Oakland. Newsom says voters have spoken referring to the recall of former DA Price and former Mayor Thao. He’s calling for changes for Oakland’s pursuit policy. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/Ow6Gbf97vz
— Velena Jones (@velenajones) December 27, 2024
Oakland Mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas released the following statement Friday morning ahead of Newsom's update:
"On behalf of the entire City of Oakland, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom for his leadership on public safety. I applaud his effort to extend the Oakland Police Department's partnership with the California Highway Patrol into the new year and welcome the advice and counsel of his team.
Over the past year, Oakland has dramatically reduced crime in all categories with an overall reduction of 34%. CHP's sustained presence in Oakland allows OPD to focus resources on responding to calls for service and addressing violent crime through our intelligence-based Ceasefire strategy. We greatly appreciate the CHP's targeted enforcement of traffic violations, auto-theft, sideshows, and seizure of illegal guns and look forward to continuing this important partnership in 2025."
Oakland Police Officers Association President Huy Nguyen provided the following statement on Friday:
"The Oakland Police Officers Association thanks Gov. Gavin Newsom and the CHP today for continuing to support Oakland with the deployment of CHP officers as we face challenging policies, understaffing, and an increase in community demand to address surging crime in Oakland. We look forward to Oakland elected and appointed leaders seeing what outsiders — such as the governor and visitors — see we need to fight crime and criminals. We join the Governor’s call to make Oakland a safer environment to work, live, and visit."
