Answer (1 of 6): It's gentrifying fairly quickly. Thats where her grandmother lived in a big three-level house with several bedrooms and a convenience store on the first floor. The full freedom to say, I can leave or I can stay,' she said. Second, cities in the US are dangerous and that is not ok. It's not like in the screenshot OP posted but it shouldn't be shrugged off as meh, cities. West Oakland became an industrial powerhouse 150 years ago when the transcontinental railroad ended its journey at this bay's edge. In 2010, she was named to the federal EPAs Clean Air Act advisory panel, and also won a $100,000 AARP Purpose Prize honoring people over 50 who are working to build a better future.. See the table on nearby places below for nearby cities. TBF, no area in Oakland is completely safe these days. "We would have long-standing sustainability," she said. Instead, it will begin to move. Reddit, Inc. 2023. According to Best Places, which ranks cities in the United States on a crime index from 1 to 100, Oakland scores a whopping 75.5 on violent crime and 81.2 on property crime. She was not the most articulate person, but she knew how to raise her voice. According to officers, a firearm was recovered at the scene. In 2022, Oakland actually saw a decrease in violent crime. Arieann Harrison, one of Sumchais patients, pressed her nose against a fence at the old Hunters Point Naval Shipyard near her home. This is a problem that many locals, unfortunately, have to deal with for their whole lives. Keep your valuables concealed and walk with purpose instead of staring at your smartphone. Because climate change is already altering life for many communities of color, Tw said the two concepts are synonymous. West Oakland residents want traffic control at dangerous News / Apr 20, 2022 / 06:20 PM PDT. Oakland has a higher than national average crime rate, but that doesnt mean it isnt safe to visit. "It's so present that we can't ignore it," she said. Instead, it will begin to move. Wearing a gold-flecked denim baseball cap and a long navy skirt, Gordon described how three freeways box in the roughly 23,000 people living in this industrial landscape, three-quarters of them people of color living with the strain of low wages, high housing costs and the poor health that comes from increased exposure to pollution. West Oakland became an industrial powerhouse some 150 years ago when the transcontinental railroad ended its long journey at this edge of the bay. Watching the decline, Bell didnt greet BARTs arrival as an eyesore; he saw it as a blessing that brought jobs. These are environmental health issues that need to be addressed now, said UC Berkeleys Rachel Morello-Frosch, a lead researcher with Toxic Tides, a project that maps contamination in the path of sea level rise across California. Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley recalls that "particularly in the '80s and '90s . Other safe neighborhoods include Temescal, Panoramic Hill, and Forestland. You just have to be careful about avoiding bad neighborhoods and stick to touristy areas since most crime affects locals, not tourists. Downtown and West Oakland are located entirely in the flatlands, while North and East Oakland incorporate lower hills and flatlands neighborhoods. An aerial image shows West Oakland before freeway development would divide the neighborhood. That is over three times the national violent crime rate and over twice the national property crime rate. Residents in these communities of color are calling for climate justice as a form of reparations. The soil is deeply saturated with radiation, uranium and deadly chemicals near where Black, Latino and Asian residents live. They definitely bore the brunt of thoughtless, damaging and absolutely racist policy decisions that were made by previous city leaders and economic interests over the course of decades, said Thao, who campaigned on a social justice platform and was elected last November. What can be done? The Cypress Freeway was not rebuilt. Sheng Thao, the citys new mayor, said it is well known that West Oakland residents were the victims of discriminatory planning. Oakland lies on the Hayward Fault, making it prone to earthquakes. However, gangs rarely involve tourists in their disputes unless you do something to put yourself on their radar, such as buying or selling illegal drugs or venturing into neighborhoods that are under gang control. Our travel guide has everything you need to know about visiting this historic city. When a neighborhood is developed with good housing practices, the document said, it would be protected from adverse influences.. Is New Orleans Safe to Visit in 2023? Over time, shipbuilding, metal foundries and manufacturing filled the small corner of Oakland, followed later by gas stations, dry cleaners and auto yards. / CBS San Francisco. The Cypress Freeway, which cut through the community and divided neighbors, left a deep wound that eventually drove residents away. | Travel Tips & Safety Concerns, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team, Posted on Last updated: July 21, 2023 - Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. "Or, 'I have the freedom, the values and the finances to make the future I want. Oakland is in the 4th percentile for safety, meaning 96% of cities are safer and 4% of cities are more dangerous. Ships that were targets of nuclear blast exercises were hauled to docks a few feet from a thriving community. We sifted through the rumors and got the facts on whether or not Oakland is safe to visit. Looking at Oakland police data, common violent crimes include felony assault, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide. In an interview, she said West Oakland residents didnt approve of the policies that negatively affect their lives and health. You cannot put up a garden without having your soil tested.. Is Oakland Safe in 2023? OAKLAND, Calif. - Multiple people were hospitalized following an armed carjacking in West Oakland that ended in a crash on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. Unlike the other BART stations, West Oakland was picked as the most logical site for a central. The rate of property and violent crime is still 6 percent higher than the Oakland average, but as we'll soon see, that's fairly tame by the standards of the city's most notorious danger spots. Around 7:20 p.m., after BART announced an AC Transit bus bridge set up between the system's West Oakland, 12th Street, Lake Merritt and Fruitvale stations, with bus No. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The area, like most of West Oakland, is flat. In 2021, Oakland had a violent crime rate of 1,505.91 per 100,000 people. 75.5 on violent crime and 81.2 on property crime. In the late 1940s, West Oakland was named among the citys top blighted areas in an Oakland Planning Commission study. As mentioned above, downtown Oakland is pretty safe. The trains immediately go back underground in downtown Oakland and Berkeley. Most crime occurs in certain Oakland neighborhoods, driving the overall city average up. It is true that Oakland has a higher-than-average crime rate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the department's Robbery Section by calling (510) 238-3482. Downtown Oakland can be seen behind piles of scrap metal at a manufacturing facility at the Port of Oakland on March 8, 2022. Arieanns sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27, Sumchai said. Community activist Margaret Gordon sits on a bench in West Oakland with the BART tracks behind her on March 4, 2022, as a semi-truck stops on 7th Street, on a popular trucking route to the nearby Port of Oakland. Not anywhere near as hairy as East Oakland has gotten lately, however. Can You Take Rental Cars Out of State? The crime statistics are certainly concerning, but its important to put them in perspective. They wanted jobs that didnt involve a plow. Crime in Oakland, California, began to rise during the late 1960s, and by the end of the 1970s Oakland's per capita murder rate had risen to twice that of San Francisco or New York City. Meanwhile, the victim and two police officers were taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Often guns are involved in robberies, leading to events that escalate and impact not only murder victims but also passers-by or even those trying to intervene. Williams said her staff has had some racial equity training to begin understanding why environmental justice matters. emanresu_nwonknu 2 yr. ago. Read more of KQEDs reparations coverage. Safety Index: 57 California : Safety by City Alameda Alhambra Anaheim Bakersfield Barstow Berkeley Burbank Chino Hills Chula Vista Compton Concord Costa Mesa Daly City El Cajon El Monte Escondido Eureka Fairfield Fontana Fremont Fresno Fullerton Garden Grove Hawthorne Hayward Hemet Huntington Beach Indio Inglewood Oakland is such a cool city, it's a shame that this place has 150% higher crime . It has a high violent crime rate and a high property crime rate as well. First, oakland is not a big city. The area, like most of West Oakland, is flat. It can feel overwhelming facing the impacts of climate change, but there are ways to cope with climate anxiety. The 7 Best Mountains in Germany to Visit in 2023, The 8 Best East Coast Vacations Spots in 2023, Here Are the 10 Best Tourist Destinations in the World, The 10 Absolute Best Cities to Visit in Europe, The 10 Best Beach Vacations in the US for 2023. Yes, Downtown Oakland is one of the safest parts of the city and is very walkable, making it great to walk around. Submit yours here. ?Oakland California. I remember the neighborhood. Chopper over the scene of a crash that followed a pursuit and an armed carjacking in West Oakland on July 26, 2023. a woman was driving her BMW along Skyline Boulevard, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. On Sunday night, a woman was driving her BMW along Skyline Boulevard in the Oakland Hills when suspects rammed her vehicle. I know better than that., Fine particulate matter is dangerous, health officials warn. The widest part of the city is just south of the Bay Bridge, and cuts across straight through Oakland pretty much 1/3 of the way South of the city. Read more of KQEDs reparations coverage. The pursuit ended when one of the suspects struck a marked Oakland police patrol vehicle. OAKLAND Three people, including two police officers, were injured in a crash following an armed carjacking and pursuit in West Oakland on Wednesday. I live near the pack and save which was looted yesterday and some stores, but tonight there about 8 gunshots within a half hour and decided to bail. Yet, residents are victims of racist policies that exposed them to life-threatening environmental pollution without their consent, said Dorothy Lazard, who retired two years ago as the managing librarian of the Oakland History Center. According to Oakland Police, there were 369 carjackings in the city so far this year as of Monday. Hospitalizations are more than 85 percent higher, and death from heart disease is nearly 35 percent higher. Two other areas Richmond, Oaklands neighbor to the north, and Hunters Point, a neighborhood a few miles southwest in San Francisco join it in forming a triangle of pollution in a region that has long touted its progressive credentials. The area is boxed in by freeways and there's also a major truck route running through the neighborhood. The amount of violent crime in Oakland has increased by 1%, the amount of property crime in Oakland has decreased by 20%, and the total amount of crime in Oakland . The government-sanctioned actions conspicuously decimated a historic Black neighborhood. Historically Historically, the city of Oakland started west of Lake Merritt in Downtown, Old Oakland and Jack London Square. Thats what I worry about.. These are things that, once people understand them, can lead to empathy for what it is that these communities are experiencing.. The Environmental Protection Agency listed the abandoned shipyard as a toxic Superfund site in 1989. The area near Oakland Airport is safe to stay in as it is fairly out of the way. and. Activists and city officials pushed Caltrans to rout it around West Oakland. Toxic waste lurking in the soil under the San Francisco Bay community of West Oakland, and places like it, is the next environmental threat in a neighborhood already burdened by pollution. Climate justice and reparations are the same projects . Its not surprising that West Oakland is one of the Bay Area cities most at risk from groundwater rise. If you look at forum posts and blogs run by locals, they will tell you that they are extremely proud of their city and bristle against the stereotype that it is dangerous. In 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake knocked down portions of the double-decker San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and its connector, the Cypress Freeway. You're fine in the daytime on the main streets but yes, it's more iffy at night. Is Oakland, CA Safe? Oakland's crime rate is nearly 4 times greater than the national average. In 1983, the National Journal referred to Oakland as the "1983 crime capital" of the San Francisco Bay Area. After the story broke, Gordon attended a public hearing about it. Theyre also five times more likely to be hospitalized for diabetes, three times more likely to die of stroke and twice as likely to die of cancer. Downtown Oakland can be seen behind piles of scrap metal at a manufacturing facility at the Port of Oakland on March 8, 2022. Lets talk about reparations.. Uptown is the art and entertainment center of Oakland featuring many bars, cafes, restaurants and love music venues/Eddie-hernandez.com/Shutterstock. Methane, a gas thats released when petroleum products break down, can even explode with an errant spark. Theyve led to groundwater plumes of solvents, and were identifying where our opportunities are to clean up those sites.. You can also sign up for our Climate Coach newsletter. Oil and gas refineries and a large shipping port, where mountains of coal are exported, dominate the landscape. At the lowest point, Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton was gunned down by a suspected crack cocaine dealer in 1989. They joined a diverse community that spread out from the 866-acre Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. A city study in 2002 found that more people were hit there than any other street in Oakland both in total, and in crashes per mile. The crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s impoverished already troubled communities further. Equity, however, isn't a word Gordon uses to describe what's needed for climate justice because it's not big enough. Never leave your valuables in plain sight in the car; always store them in a glove compartment or trunk or take them with you. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. Sure, yes, most of Oakland is totally find and safe and the bad part of Oakland is relatively small and easy to avoid. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Obviously, the ideal situation is to avoid being in a position where you can get robbed in the first place. All my kids have allergies and asthma, Gordon said. 13. Although its been many years since Oakland had a destructive earthquake, one can happen at any time, and more minor tremors are very common. For 12 years ending in 1960, the shipyard was joined by the Navys largest nuclear testing lab. Lets dive in! Crossing the overpasses from the West Oakland neighborhoods on one side of the sunken freeway to downtown on the other requires walking nearly the distance of two football fields, with speeding . Fruitvale has a fairly high crime rate, although it is also a popular tourist destination thanks to its many cultural offerings. The neighbors really knew each other.. Oakland has many cultural attractions, including the Oakland Museum of California, which has exhibits focusing on the important, organized African American community in the city. "The reparation movement is the next level of civil rights," said Gordon. All the best things to do, to see, and discuss in the San Francisco Bay Area! The Harrisons lived on Quesada Street. First published on July 26, 2023 / 8:05 PM. "You cannot put up a garden without having your soil tested.". Other neighborhoods to avoid in Oakland include: Here are a few things to keep in mind before visiting Oakland: Here are some other questions people wanted to know about Oakland: No, Oakland has a much higher crime rate than San Francisco. As long as you know which neighborhoods to avoid, you can have a great time in Oakland. Scan this QR code to download the app now. As a whole, Oakland is one of the most dangerous cities in America. It's been dangerous here since the 1960s when crime began to increase. It is a lesson in discrimination, disregard and diminishment of a population that helped build the city, she said. The suspects then robbed the victim at gunpoint, before taking the vehicle and her purse. The numbers dont lie Oakland does have a lot of crime incidents occurring annually. Reparations that bolster the local economy, improve air quality and raise overall health could equal potential freedom from the tendrils of enslavement even as the climate emergency worsens, said Maya Carrasquillo, a UC Berkeley environmental engineering professor. The developers erred in relying on a faulty soil analysis to press ahead with their project. Nearby, traffic zooms along Interstate 880, and a historic train station also a contaminated site speaks to the citys industrial past. When exposed to it, people can be stricken by asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and stroke. Or, I have the freedom, the values and the finances to be able to make the future I want.'. A lot of our staff really dont understand what the communities are like. By one measure, Oakland is the 30th most dangerous city in the US, between Albuquerque . Residents didnt consent to living in these conditions. In 1880, the Oakland shoreline ran through this section. (Beth LaBerge/KQED) Built to replace the earthquake-damaged Cypress Freeway, I-880 is a thoroughfare for diesel trucks. Reparations that bolster the local economy and raise overall health could equal potential freedom from the tendrils of enslavement even as the climate emergency worsens, said Maya Carrasquillo, a UC Berkeley environmental engineering professor. It also had a property crime rate of 5,853.31 per 100,00 people, which is nearly 3 times greater than the national average. Bell, 63, said he worked there for 17 years before losing his job. Harrison believes the bays strong winds have blown trace amounts of contaminated soil from the base throughout her community. Most incidents of violent crime are concentrated in certain neighborhoods, and many incidents of property crime are easily avoided with some precautions. Just don't get in the way of the gangs or drug dealers and use common sense at night. "Claiming things through eminent domain is commensurate with colonialism," Lazard said. For Gordon, reparations recommendations should include cleaning up toxic sites, access to affordable housing, better health care, economic opportunities and power in planning decisions about climate resilience. The reparation movement is the next level of civil rights, said Gordon. In 2017, California lawmakers passed landmark legislation Assembly Bill 617 to address the health impact of polluting infrastructure in Californias urban communities. It had fruit trees. But scientists say it wont take feet to loosen toxic contaminants in West Oaklands soil and render them dangerous to humans. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. Those gases can enter homes, schools and businesses through cracked plumbing seals, poisoning residents. In an emailed statement, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, or DTSC, said it couldnt comment on the number or severity of active sites. Surlene Grant, who worked as a community relations officer for Caltrans at the time and went on to become vice mayor of the city of San Leandro, said the agency sought to minimize the threat by saying the gas was common. Racist home-lending policies such as redlining relegated Black people to this neighborhood, preventing them from seeking housing outside the industrialized area. Before visiting anywhere, you probably want to know about any safety concerns so you can plan your trip accordingly. I would know theres going to be housing for my children and grandchildren, so therell be a job for them.. According to the Oakland Police Department, the armed carjacking took place in the area of 32nd and West Streets shortly after 5 p.m. Undercover officers witnessed the carjacking, which involved . May 7, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Directionally, Oakland is much longer North-South than East-West. As a general rule of thumb, neighborhoods further up in the hills are safer, while those closer to the harbor tend to be seedier. "These are environmental health issues that need to be addressed now," said UC Berkeley's Rachel Morello-Frosch, a researcher with Toxic Tides, a project that maps contamination in the path of sea level rise. Very subtle changes to the shallow groundwater can pressure and crack sewer pipes, while chemicals can corrode them. Now theyre demanding to be significant players in any climate resilience plans. Edit - checked citizen which I installed last night and saw that yes in fact someone was killed by gunshot last night around the corner. Gordon founded the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project to demand environmental justice for people of color. Also, Oakland is an up-and-coming city, so its come a long way since its reputation as a crime-ridden place. After she left to attend Howard University in the early 1980s, West Oakland started to lose its pulse and its color. Oakland police are investigating a crash in West Oakland. We got eggs from there., Her cousin lived next door. | Safety Concerns, Is Pakistan Safe to Visit in 2023? According to City Data, Oakland has a higher crime rate than 98.8% of American cities, making it one of the more dangerous cities in the nation. Its so present that we cant ignore it, she said. This Black enclave not far from the stately Bay Bridge and just downslope from the mansions of the East Bay hills is sandwiched by three major freeways. Customers stopped patronizing a jazz club because they couldnt hear the music for the frequent rumble from trains. As bay waters rise and threaten flooding over the land, it presses a layer of salty water in under the land. Sumchai and another doctor tested her urine and detected several of the chemicals found at the shipyard. The Navy disputes that the site harms the health of area residents. The tourism industry is growing, and over 3 million visitorscome to Oakland each year. After decades of battles, Gordon is hopeful that Oakland can rectify some of the past damage. The toxic burden is the same in the community whether among White women, Chinese American males or African American women, Sumchai said. The agency said it is developing guidance for sites and project managers to ensure that remedies at contaminated sites are resilient now and into the future.. is subject to dangerous pollutants and deprived of access to basic resources such as clean air, water, healthy groceries, etc. Now they're demanding to be significant players in any climate resilience plans. Sources: 1946, 1958 and 1971 aerial imagery via USGS; 2022 aerial imagery via the National Agriculture Imagery Program. . Plus, the Oakland government and community are doing their best to try to stop gun violence. Sitting on a park bench in front of her second-story apartment, Margaret Gordon, a 75-year-old Black woman with a powerful legacy of environmental advocacy, said the threat from underground toxics only adds to the neighborhoods severe environmental hardships. Naugle said his team has sent letters to some landowners who need to factor in groundwater rise in cleanup plans. Common property crimes include burglaries, motor vehicle break-ins, and motor vehicle theft. There isn't much to do in terms of food nightlife, but it's all a short uber away. | Safety Concerns, Where to Stay in Hawaii in 2023 | Best Islands & Hotels, The 25 Best Resorts in Hawaii in 2023 | Our Top Picks, What Is Customs at the Airport? It still comes down to race, Gordon said. I have lived in Oakland since 1986. Reparations would also mean environmental justice, says Rev. Tractor trailers line up to receive their freight at the Port of Oakland on April 12, 2022. The neighborhood is safe as long as you aren't doing dumb things. 11. Oakland is the most populous city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States.A major West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third largest city overall in the Bay Area and the eighth most populated city in California. The award-winning architectural landmark was built in 2008/Cdrin/Shutterstock. Want to connect with fellow travel enthusiasts to get inspiration and discuss money-saving tips for your next trip? It was the birthplace of many important activists, including the Black Panthers. In West Oakland, be careful in the area around the West Oakland BART as it is still seedier. As a resident of a historically Black community, she sees climate justice as a form of reparations, a payment in money and services to repair the harm of conscious decisions, such as government leaders allowing toxic industries to operate in the neighborhood, devaluing the lives of Black people. With the loss of shipping jobs and homeowner flight, the housing stock rotted. For years, Harrisons mother, the late civil rights crusader Marie Harrison, claimed that the site was a disaster in slow motion.. The rate of gun violence in Oakland, as in many American cities, is staggering. As elsewhere in the country, vehicle break-ins and motor vehicle thefts are two of the fastest-increasing crimes. As a visitor, knowing which neighborhoods to avoid is important to helping you stay safe. "It still comes down to race," Gordon said. Be careful in the area directly around the Fruitvale Station BART. The toxic waste and pollution in West Oakland result from the legacy of racism in housing, economics and other policies over decades. Lin teaches racial justice in planning and public policy at UC Berkeleys Department of City and Regional Planning, and its Future Histories Lab. NOTE: This map is being updated and is currently non-interactive. We've been to some of the most unique places on earth and we're always on the hunt for cheap flights and new adventures. Claiming things through eminent domain is commensurate with colonialism, Lazard said. hide caption. Tractor trailers line up to receive their freight at the Port of Oakland on April 12, 2022. Police have not released the names of those taken into custody. Dont talk to me about equity anymore, she said. But West Oakland is hardly the Bay Areas only example of blatant segregation and environmental inequity. She was born in Richmond, where her father and mother had moved from racially segregated Arkansas when the shipping industry was booming. If they cant do it in 15 more years, I dont know what to tell them.. It is unclear if that van was the carjacked vehicle. Some. But I can tell you gentrification has changed West Oakland significantly since I moved to the Bay Area 3 1/2 years ago. Crime Per 100k: 1,616. As seas rise, others are exploring how to harness marine energy. On the northernmost edge of the neighborhood, about a half-mile from San Francisco Bay, sit a row of new, charcoal gray and white condominiums. The median household income in Caballo Hills is $111,303, 101% higher than the national average. Start Here North America California Is Oakland Safe in 2023? But she spent most of her time in West Oakland. We should be thriving.. The Federal Housing Administration prescribed building roads and other infrastructure to separate White communities from inharmonious racial groups., A high speed traffic artery or a wide parkway may prevent the expansion of inharmonious uses to a location on the opposite side of the street, the FHAs guiding underwriting document advised in 1938. This is how we keep the lights on (i.e. The racism that shaped the economic and community life of West Oakland persists, according to Brandi T. Summers, a UC Berkeley geography professor. As a travel nut myself, I love exploring the world with my wife and son. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. She played jazz and opened the windows to catch a light breeze coming east from the bay. These planners allowed diesel trucks to freely use Interstate 880 which runs near majority-Black West Oakland but they banned diesel trucks from a stretch of Interstate 580 that runs past the East Hills and the city of San Leandro, which were nearly 99 percent White at the time. We should be thriving.". The Naval Radiological Defense Laboratorys activities contaminated soil, dust, sediments, surface water and groundwater with petroleum fuels, pesticides, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the agency said. As mentioned above, the Oakland crime rate varies drastically from place to place. The government-sanctioned actions conspicuously decimated a historic Black neighborhood. And we are still dealing with the fallout.. According to a different crime tracking website, Neighborhood Scout, about 82.3% of Oaklands total crime was property crime. Residents didn't consent to living in these conditions. Oakland does have a high crime rate and a tumultuous recent past, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt visit. Drug crime moved in with deadly results. The planning profession has to reconcile that because they have been complicit in this whole issue, not only in Oakland but in cities all across the country..

Powerapps Get Column From Sharepoint List, Underhill Id School Ranking, Articles I