After Crime Surges, Governor Gavin Newsome Sends 120 Highway Patrol Reinforcements to Oakland, California

Crime and lawlessness has been "out of control" in Oakland, California according to a consultant who worked for Oakland's former Mayor Libby Schaaf, which has resulted in Gavin Newsome sending 120 California Highway Patrol to the city to try and get the surging crime under control.

California Highway Patrol Ford Interceptor Vehicle; credit: Raymond Wambsgans; CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED

POLITICO reported on Thursday that California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the "alarming and unacceptable rise in crime" and sent 120 California Highway Patrol to Oakland to try and get the crime and lawlessness taking place under control.

Several businesses and companies have had enough of crime in the city, such as car break-ins, burglaries, and robberies. 

In-N-Out Closes Oakland Location Due to Crime

CNN reported on 24 January 2024 that In-N-Out, a fast-food burger chain, decided to close the Oakland, California location in January. The chain cited in a statement: “despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.”

CNN cited that "burglaries were up 23% and motor vehicle thefts were up 44% in 2023 compared to 2022. Violent crime increased 21% in 2023 over 2022, according to the Oakland Police Department.

SFGate reported that the 120 California Highway Patrol officers sent to Oakland and the Greater East Bay will assist local police with rising crime.

Governor Gavin Newsom said:

“As crime rates across California decrease — including right across the Bay in San Francisco — Oakland is seeing the opposite trend. What’s happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao thanked Gov. Newsom for his decision to send 120 CHP officers to Oakland. 

She said:

“As we work to improve public safety, I’m grateful for Governor Newsom for providing these critical law enforcement resources that are a game-changer in helping us hold more criminals accountable and make Oakland safer.”

Wisconsin City is Suing Burger King for $500K Over an Abandoned Building That 'Could Attract Crime'

The city of West Allis is suing Burger King because Burger King has not fixed their former building which is located at 76th Street and Greenfield Avenue. This building has been abandoned since 2018. The city is calling the building a public nuisance and a fire hazard, that could attract vandalism and crime.

Burger King; by Ismail Hadine on Unsplash

The City of West Allis: 'Fix, Demolish, or Redevelop' Abandoned Building

The city of West Allis says that it has given Burger King multiple notices and opportunities to fix the abandoned building located at 76th Street and Greenfield Avenue, but the company has not complied. Now they are suing Burger King for $500,000 in damages and fines.

The city says that it wants to see the property redeveloped or demolished, and that it is willing to work with Burger King to find a solution. The city also says that it is enforcing its blight ordinance, which allows it to sue property owners who neglect their buildings.

The city of West Allis does not want the abandoned building to attract vandalism and crime.

*The City of West Allis, Wisconsin is a suburb of Milwaukee and had a population of 60,325 at the 2020 Census.

Burger King Responds to the 'Unfair and Excessive' Lawsuit

Burger King responded that it has been trying to sell the property since 2019, but has not found a buyer. The company also says that it has been paying the property taxes and maintaining the security system. Burger King argues that the city’s lawsuit is unfair and excessive.

The YouTube video of this story can be seen below.

Source:

FOX6 News Milwaukee on YouTube