Interim Oakland Police Chief Susan Manheimer hit the streets on Monday to take a stand after a deadly weekend of gun violence.
The chief visited with the mother of a recent East Oakland homicide victim and vowed to crack down on violent crime and increase resources. Manheimer and several members of her command staff walked the Holly Street neighborhood where a man was found shot to death inside a crashed car early Sunday morning. A bullet hole, which narrowly missed a window, was still visible in the side of a home. There have been five homicides in the city since Aug. 6.
“We are seeing a major spike in gun crime and shootings in many of our major cities,” Manheimer said. “We stand with this community and we will interrupt this violence.”
Oakland District 7 City Councilmember Larry Reid was also on hand for the tour of the neighborhood and spoke with relatives of the victim. Police plan to deploy additional resources to help deal with the recent uptick in violent crime.
Oakland police have now investigated 56 homicides in the city this year. Last year at this time police had investigated 49 homicides.
“It was very touching to meet with one of the families of the victims today. It makes it very real,” Manheimer said.
Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $15,000 in reward money in the Sunday morning and Saturday night shootings and up to $10,000 in reward money in the earlier Saturday shooting for information leading to the arrests of the suspects. Anyone with information may call police at 510-238-3821 or 510-238-7950 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.
Reporter Harry Harris contributed to this report.