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Trump claims Oakland crime is out of control. But crime has fallen this year [1]

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Date: 2025-08-11

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he’s placing Washington D.C.’s police department under federal control and deploying the national guard as part of a crackdown on crime in the district.

Trump claimed that crime in the nation’s capital has gotten out of hand, citing a recent alleged assault on a former staffer from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. In a rambling speech, Trump also complained about other big American cities that he accused of having crime problems — including Oakland.

“And then you have of course Baltimore and Oakland. We don’t mention that anymore, they’re so far gone,” Trump said.

Trump’s claims about D.C. being plagued by crime aren’t reflected in the numbers: the district’s crime rate fell to its lowest levels in over 30 years in 2024, according to an announcement by federal prosecutors earlier this year.

The president’s alarmist tone about Oakland also doesn’t reflect reality. Crime statistics show a more complicated picture.

Just last week, OPD announced that overall crime in Oakland has dropped by 28% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same time period last year. According to OPD’s most recent data, there have been 41 homicides in Oakland compared to 54 last year, which represents a 24% decrease.

The department also reported significant double-digit decreases in reports of aggravated assaults, rapes, and robberies. And the city has received fewer reports of certain property crimes over the same period, including a 46% decrease in auto thefts.

This is in keeping with a trend that started in 2024, as homicides and shootings dropped by double-digit percentages.

The decline in violent crimes reported by OPD are consistent with other big cities that have seen a return to pre-pandemic levels, including some of the cities that Trump singled out in his speech. Oakland experienced a surge in certain crime categories in 2023, which helped fuel the recall campaigns that ultimately removed former Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.

Mayor Lee claims credit for drop in crime

Lee, who was sworn into office on May 20, has only had a direct say on the city’s public safety strategy for a little under three months. But in a press release on Thursday the mayor’s office boasted of delivering “major success in reducing crime.” The same release also claimed Lee’s “achievements align with and exceed national trends” around reducing violent crime.

Lee has consistently talked about taking a comprehensive approach to public safety that includes investments in OPD and the Department of Violence Prevention. She has said that preventing sideshows, removing abandoned vehicles from the streets, and workforce training programs are other steps that will improve safety and the quality of life in Oakland neighborhoods.

Last week, the mayor singled out the anti-gun violence program Ceasefire, calling it a “critical” part of the city’s crime enforcement and prevention strategy. At the Thursday press event, Violence Prevention Chief Holly Joshi noted that the 2024 reimplementation of this program was a significant transition point for Oakland, but that the city wouldn’t be able to know the exact impact it’s had until evaluators give an assessment in coming months.

The mayor also pointed to Oakland budgeting for 678 sworn police officers, which is less than the 700 mandated by Measure NN, a parcel tax approved by Oakland voters last year to fund public safety. Lee has promised that Oakland will hit the 700 number as part of a “multi-year commitment.” Actually filling budgeted positions with cops is a problem that has eluded city leaders for a long time. According to a recent report, OPD has only 655 positions that are filled by sworn officers. And the department’s operation strength as of late July was 521 because 104 employees are on medical or admin leave.

At the news conference, Lee praised the city’s public safety leaders and said the data shows that Oakland is on the right track “but our work is far from done.”

“We’re not going backward,” Lee said. “We’re going to keep building on this foundation until every resident feels safe in their community.”

Can residents trust Oakland crime data?

Police Chief Floyd Mitchell acknowledged at the news conference that some residents are skeptical about the city’s crime data. Last year, media outlets reported issues with OPD’s crime statistics that cast doubt on their accuracy. Mitchell urged residents and businesses to continue to report all crimes, regardless of severity, so OPD can better identify patterns and trends.

Mitchell said the mayor has emphasized the need for city leaders to talk more about crime data and the city’s approach to public safety to help “address the perception and feeling of crime.”

“We want people to understand that while we are a major metropolitan city and there’s going to be a certain level of crime, crime is going down, people are starting to feel safe,” Mitchell said, adding that this will take time.

Mitchell also touted OPD’s success at improving the speed that 911 calls are answered. According to the chief, an average of 73% of 911 calls are now answered within 15 seconds, compared to 50% for the same time period in 2024. California’s standard is 90% of calls answered within 15 seconds, which Mitchell said he’s confident Oakland will reach.

Lee’s 10 point plan for what she will accomplish in her first 100 days in office includes promises to convene meetings with OPD and business leaders to develop public safety strategies in commercial corridors and public-private initiatives. But on Thursday Lee also shared that she has had preliminary discussions with local officials – including State Senator Jesse Arreguin and Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley – about creating a regional “public safety corridor.” It’s unclear what exactly that will entail.

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[1] Url: https://oaklandside.org/2025/08/11/oakland-mayor-takes-credit-for-reducing-crime/

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