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November 19, 2007

Richmond, Oakland Make Most Dangerous
Cities List

By Willie Monroe

Nov. 19, 2007 (KGO) - A new study gives two Bay Brea cities the dubious distinction of being among the most dangerous cities in the country. Oakland is listed as number four in the study and Richmond is number nine. But there are a lot of questions about what these designations actually mean. The rankings come from 2006 crime statistics in specific categories like homicide, rape and aggravated assault.

Oakland was designated the fourth most dangerous city in the country.

"Even without this designation, we used to be eighth, now we're four. We could be ten, now we're five. The reality is the perception outside Oakland is that we are an unsafe city," said Oakland Council President Ignacio De La Fuente.

"To talk about a whole city, particularly a huge city like Oakland is kind of ridiculous," said UC Berkeley law professor Franklin Zimring.

UC Berkeley law professor Franklin Zimring said the rankings are not meaningless. They just don't present an accurate picture of crime. "Cities aren't safe or dangerous. Neighborhoods are safe or dangerous," said Zimring.

Richmond was called the ninth most dangerous city, but councilmember Tom Butt agrees it depends on the neighborhood. "And if you're not involved in certain illegal activities involving gangs and drugs and so forth, then you really have almost nothing to worry about," said Richmond city council member Tom Butt.

Melvin McDowell had this perspective from the high crime "iron triangle" neighborhood. "Not as dangerous as they say, but it's dangerous," said Melvin McDowell from Richmond.

"I think it's wrong. I think the majority of the people living here in this are live here because they want to," said Lillie Mae Jones from Richmond.

"I don't we need a survey to tell us we have some crime problems. We're acutely aware of that and we're working on them through a number of different strategies and plans," said Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus. Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus says crime fighting strategies being put in place need a chance to work.

"What is happening in Richmond is that people are engaged, people are invested. The city, the community is clearly putting out the violence prevention effort," said Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. [emphasis added]

Ironically, statistics for both cities so far this year show violent crime is down.