California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly criticized Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao for failing to deploy $267 million allocated by his administration to combat the city’s escalating retail theft problem.
The funds, designated to support law enforcement efforts, were not utilized by Oakland after missing the application deadline set by the state.
Missed Opportunity
Despite the availability of substantial funds provided by Governor Newsom’s administration, Oakland failed to access the allocated $267 million aimed at addressing the surge in retail theft plaguing the city.
Governor’s Displeasure
During a meeting in January between Oakland leaders and the governor, Newsom reportedly expressed his disappointment with the city’s failure to utilize the allocated funds.
Crime-ridden Oakland did not benefit, because it missed the application deadline. This was reported by Robert Harris of the Oakland NAACP.
Raised Multiple Times
‘The governor brought that up one, two, three times… He talked about the missed deadline, and then about 10 minutes later he said the same thing over, “We’ve made that available to you, and you didn’t file.”‘ Harris told Local News Matters.
The issue was repeatedly raised by Newsom, emphasizing the missed opportunity for Oakland to bolster its law enforcement capabilities.
Escalating Crime Statistics
Oakland has experienced a significant rise in violent crime, with statistics indicating a 21% increase from 2021 to 2023.
Robberies surged by 38%, and vehicle thefts saw a staggering rise of 45%, according to a crime report released by the Oakland Police Department.
Business Impact
The surge in crime has led to the closure of several businesses in Oakland, including well-known establishments like Denny’s and In-N-Out.
The city’s retail landscape has been adversely affected by the rising criminal activity, prompting concerns among residents and local authorities.
Governor’s Response
Governor Newsom has taken proactive measures to address Oakland’s crime surge, including deploying California Highway Patrol officers at Mayor Thao’s request.
Additionally, state prosecutors have been sent to Oakland to assist in charging crimes as part of ongoing efforts to combat the escalating criminal activity.
Calls for Accountability
Acknowledging that arrests alone are insufficient, Newsom emphasized the importance of holding suspects accountable through appropriate prosecution.
He underscored the necessity of utilizing the full weight of the law to address crimes ranging from retail theft to drug trafficking and attempted murder.
Mayor’s Gratitude
In response to Newsom’s actions, Mayor Thao expressed gratitude for the deployment of California Highway Patrol officers to assist the city in combating crime.
She highlighted ongoing efforts in law enforcement investigations, police recruitment, and investments in community and violence intervention initiatives.
Collaborative Efforts
Mayor Thao emphasized the collaborative approach taken by Oakland to address the crime epidemic, focusing on enhancing law enforcement efforts, community engagement, and violence intervention strategies.
Grateful For Help
She welcomed Newsom’s support in providing crucial law enforcement resources to bolster the city’s crime-fighting capabilities.
She said, ‘I’m grateful for Governor Newsom for providing these critical law enforcement resources that are a game-changer in helping us hold more criminals accountable and make Oakland safer.’
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