News from: Oakland Police Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2020
Denver, Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville are just a few of America's major cities that are experiencing a spike in shootings and homicides. In the first six months of 2020, there were more than 180 reported assaults with a firearm in Oakland, up 34% year to date.
The Oakland Police Department relies on our community members to call 911 and report gunfire. However, roughly 86% of shootings in Oakland are unreported. A major reason OPD utilizes ShotSpotter technology in more than 16 square miles of the city. Less than 30 seconds after the first fired shot, ShotSpotter pinpoints the location and alerts OPD’s Communications Division and Police Officers of an active gunfire scene.
So far this year, there are more than 2,600 ShotSpotter activations in Oakland. A 24% increase over the same time last year. In 2019, there were more than 10 gunfire incidents on an average day in Oakland, with more than 50 shots fired recorded by ShotSpotter.
We ask our community to partner with the Department and the City to reduce violence by helping to provide information: “If you know something, say something.” If you were a witness or have information regarding a crime, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Oakland TIP LINE (510) 777-8572.