Oakland has the highest rate of robberies per capita in the nation, and the numbers continue to grow. In fact, it has been on a big trend upward for the last two years.
According to the City of Oakland’s weekly crime report, as of Sept. 29, there had been 3,742 robberies in the city, a 25 percent increase from the same time last year. The total is about 1,200 higher than the total from the same time in 2011. According to new federal statistics, Oakland had 10.9 robberies per 1,000 residents. There is now an average of almost fifteen robberies per day in Oakland.
In the total picture of crime for the city, there are a few encouraging numbers to review. In 2012 there were 131 murders in Oakland (33.1 murders for every 100,000 citizens). As of Sept. 29 this year, there had been 73 murders in the city, which represents a decrease of 13 percent from 2012.
Assault with a firearm is down twenty percent, while domestic violence has decreased by sixteen percent. Rape is down by 27 percent from the same time last year and arson also less frequent by a percentage of 31.
The big increase in robberies with big decreases in other crimes may indicate a large shift in criminal activity overall. The biggest increase in robberies is those on the street, rather than home break-ins. Whether it’s a confrontational mugging or a sneaky taking of a purse or bag, theft of personal property is at a record high level.
Earlier this year, Oakland police analyzed robberies across the city and found that about 75 percent involved a smartphone. The increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets is a factor in the greater frequency of robberies. Stolen smartphones are easily cleared of all owner data and then sold on for $100 to $200.
Crime experts also point out that many criminal groups in Oakland have stopped selling drugs on the street, now preferring to make money through robberies. Arrests for drug dealing or drug possession are less than half of what they were in 2010, when robberies began to increase.
A recent report by police consultant Bill Bratton found that robbery investigators were, "slow to respond to robberies and interview victims, losing momentum on the investigation of pattern robberies."
The report also made the shocking claim that, “Effectively, burglaries are not investigated in the City of Oakland with only one part-time investigator assigned to more than 10,000 burglaries last year.”
A smaller amount of police officers patrolling Oakland's streets is another clear problem. As of July 31, Oakland had 626 officers, compared to more than 800 officers the city had in 2010.
Oakland police say the department is adding more officers, focusing on hotspots and doing more proactive patrols. Recent changes are making small, positive changes to crime rates, but the numbers make it clear that much progress still needs to be made.