The Brief
- Two large sideshows drew hundreds in Oakland and Richmond.
- In Oakland, people were seen setting a car on fire.
- The Oakland police union said they are shortstaffed and can’t “address the chaos.”
OAKLAND, Calif. – Two large East Bay sideshows drew hundreds of people early Sunday morning in Oakland and Richmond, where people set at least one car on fire and prompted a police union to complain about staffing levels.
Oakland sideshow, car on fire
In Oakland, a sideshow of about 500 people popped up in front of the CVS at 41st and Howe Streets between 2:15 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., according to visual evidence and the police union.
Video at the scene shows drivers spinning about and some people setting a black car on fire. The flames from the car looked eerie against the dark sky. One man is also seen opening and closing the door of the car repeatedly.
In a statement, Oakland police said officers wrote 21 citations and towed four vehicles. Police said they are also following up and if they find out that cars were involved, they may go to those homes and tow the vehicles.
Union says shortstaffed
In a separate statement sent by spokesman Sam Singer on Sunday afternoon, Oakland Police Officers Association President Huy Nguyen said that the department only had 16 police cars available to “address the chaos.”…