Alameda County Crime

 

Most Alameda cities are low in crime, a few have streets where crime is a problem but usually a manageable problem and one, Oakland, has major problems.

Oakland, like many large cities, has wrestled with crime for decades and five or six years ago seemed to be making major improvements. Then murders, a key indicator, started rising and in 2006 jumped by 59 percent, to 148.

For those who think that crime is a hopeless reality of big cities, the statistics argue otherwise.

Oakland has a population of 412,000. This works out to about 36 homicides for every 100,000 residents.

Los Angeles, population 4 million, recorded 489 homicides in 2005 or about 12 per 100,000. Big difference! New York City has an even lower rate.

Like many cities, Oakland has its very safe, fairly safe and unsafe neighborhoods; the last often low-income. See Oakland profile. But most people travel outside their neighborhoods and just because people are poor doesn't mean they should fear for their safety and their possessions.

Oakland knows it has a problem. The new mayor, Ron Dellums, is rallying the community to bring down crime. The police force is being expanded. Residents recently voted to spend more money on schools.

All to the good. We wish the mayor and the city success in their efforts.

If you are moving to Oakland, by all means enjoy the city and its many restaurants and amusements and go about your business as efficiently as possible. This is what the residents do. But be wary and alert to your surroundings and avoid situations that arouse misgivings.

As for other towns, no matter what the statistics say, it is good practice to lock your doors and take the usual precautions.

If you are buying or renting, drive the neighborhood and take close look what is going on. If you see many homes equipped with security doors, this might indicate a problem with burglars.

Should you avoid unsafe or marginal neighborhoods?

For some people, the answer depends on trade-offs and personal circumstances. The troubled neighborhoods often carry low prices or rents and are located near job centers. Many towns and sections are in transition; conditions could improve, the investment might be worthwhile. What’s intolerable to a parent might be acceptable to a single person.

Oakland has several downtown neighborhoods where a lot of housing is being built. These days, big-city housing comes with security devices and practices — lights, cameras, gates, guards — that make a big difference. Good luck and take care.

In 2005, Alameda County recorded 126 homicides. In 2004, the count was 117 and for previous years, 139 and 144.

California Crime

Of the 2,503 murdered in 2005 in California, 1,845 were shot to death, the FBI reported.

Of the 1,845, handguns accounted for 1,493 deaths, rifles 83, shotguns 76 and other firearms 193. Knives were used in 288 homicides, other weapons in 237 and hands and fists in 133.

Megan's Law

For a list of registered sex offenders by town or city, go to www.meganslaw.ca.gov

Guns

Many Americans oppose gun control but guns are used in many homicides and assaults.

In 2000, France, about 54 million people, counted 503 murders. In 2002, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), 58 million residents, recorded 513 murders. This works out to about nine murders for every million people.

In the U.S., population about 300 million, homicides in 2005 totaled 16,692 or about 56 murders for every million people. Guns accounted for at least 10,100 deaths, and of these handguns shot 7,543 of the victims. (And compared to 10 or 15 years ago, murders and crime are way down. In 1993, the U.S. recorded 24,526 homicides.)