Oakland official calls on Calif. Gov. Newsom to issue state of emergency amid rising crime rates in city

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 11:05 AM PT – Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Residents in Oakland, California have called on state officials to take action against the rising crime rates in the city and throughout the state. In a press event on Tuesday, Oakland’s Chinatown Chamber of Commerce President Carl Chan called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to help with the rise in robberies and assaults hurting the city.

Chan said people shouldn’t blame local police, saying residents appreciate what they’re doing and “their job is not easy.” He added the main factor for the rise in crime was due to defunding and demonizing the Oakland Police Department.

This comes after the Oakland City Council voted to move more than $17 million in funds from the OPD in June and allocate the money to other programs. Oakland Police chief Leronne Armstrong slammed the decision.

“That additional $17 million that was reduced from the police department’s budget will have an impact, when you hear the statement from those that say nothing will change, that is not true. Yes it will,” said Armstrong.

Now, Chan has called on Newsom to send help, but not just to Chinatown. His calls come after a man was shot in Oakland’s Chinatown on Saturday after trying to stop a robbery. The man was struck in the armpit and leg. He has since been released from the hospital and is recovering.

“I really wanted to try to de-escalate the situation,” says a Good Samaritan who wanted to be ID’d only as Mr. Li. He tried to stop 2 women from being robbed in Oakland’s Chinatown but ended up getting shot. He’s now out of the hospital. https://t.co/Vb4EUyIS0s pic.twitter.com/TYoowI5m4N

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) August 10, 2021

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