The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is facing scrutiny over its reported crime data, with claims that it has been underreporting crime figures, leading to a misleading perception of a significant decrease in crime compared to the previous year.
A recent report by the San Francisco Chronicle and the Oakland Report raised concerns that the OPD may not be comparing like with like when reporting its crime statistics for Oakland, California. The data released by the OPD in May showed a dramatic drop in crime rates, with violent crime down by 33% overall. Burglaries had decreased by 50%, homicides by 17%, assaults by 7%, and rapes by 21%.
The figures were highlighted by Mayor Sheng Thao, who is facing a recall ballot in November due to concerns about public safety and economic vitality. However, the report suggested that the OPD’s crime data may not be accurate, as historical trends show that crime figures are often underreported initially and may be subject to revision.
The San Francisco Chronicle noted that the OPD’s online reports need to be verified and imported into a records management system, causing delays in reporting accurate crime data. The publication also highlighted that lower priority crimes are often not investigated immediately and are compiled from online reports filed by victims.
In response, the OPD defended its crime reports, stating that there has been no change in how it reports weekly crime data. The department acknowledged that there may be delays in tabulating crime figures but emphasized that this is a common practice among police departments.
Mayor Thao, whose home was recently raided by the FBI as part of a political corruption probe, did not respond to requests for comment on the issue. Lt. Barry Donelan, head of Oakland’s burglary and general crimes detail, admitted that there are shortcomings in the reported numbers but emphasized the department’s commitment to addressing these issues.
As the debate over the accuracy of Oakland’s crime data continues, residents and officials are left questioning the true extent of the city’s crime rate and the effectiveness of its law enforcement efforts.
