OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — The Oakland Police Department said the first half of 2025 has seen a sharp decrease in violent crime as the department deals with a staffing shortage.
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According to a report from the Major Cities’ Chiefs Association, for the first six months of 2025 — compared to 2024 — Oakland has seen a decrease in most violent crimes. This includes homicides down 21%, assaults down 18%, robbery down 41%, and rape down 24%. However, arson is up 9%.
“We strongly urge all residents and business to report crimes regardless of the severity so we can better identify crime patterns and deploy the necessary resources,” said Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell.
Chief Mitchell highlights a positive upward trend, pointing to 6 new 911 dispatchers and an increased call answering time that hits an average of a 73% within 15 seconds. He acknowledges the statistics and people’s perception of safety don’t line up…