Oakland Tribune Outtakes

And she did it with a press release that made no mention of 90 percent of homicides and shootings occuring in 100 city blocks:

Recent media reports have covered a report from Urban Strategies Council regarding the 100 Blocks Initiative and the data of the Police Department. The Mayor’s office would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that the 100 Blocks Initiative was created 5 months ago, to focus on the neighborhoods and areas of Oakland that are most impacted by gun violence. 

 

In the most recent reporting period, murders are down citywide by 56%.  We are pleased with this direction and we will remain focused on gun violence and how to reduce it in the City of Oakland.

 

Although the report may be accurate while standing alone, there are key differences and some similarities:

 

-          Difference in Time Period: The City’s maps use more recent data

-          Difference in Accuracy of Data: The City uses a more accurate count of homicides and shootings data, including data from Shot Spotter

-          Additional Police Intelligence on Trends: They City has access to recent police intelligence on trends of violence related to gangs and drugs. Tactics must be informed by the current state of affairs in neighborhoods.

-          Consistency in Neighborhoods: although individual blocks may vary, overall the neighborhoods match our current efforts and are consistent with our data.

 

The 100 Blocks Initiative has allowed us to focus law enforcement and other city resources in creative and effective ways on the neighborhoods in Oakland that have been historically the most impacted by gun violence. Already Oakland has begun to see results from these efforts and we will continue to build upon the collaborations created to bring violence down within the City of Oakland.

 

-          We are implementing Operation Ceasefire through a partnership with the National Network for Safe Communities, founded by David Kennedy, and with the California Partnership for Safe Communities

-          Through a joint Federal-State operation nearly 100 criminals have been taken off of the streets and have been indicted on Federal or State charges.

-          So far in 2012, more than 400 illegal guns have been removed from Oakland’s streets.

 

“We face lots of challenges within Oakland, all of us are working hard to make sure violence comes down in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Jean Quan “If anyone has additional ideas as to how we can continue to make Oakland safer, I welcome those ideas.”