Oakland burglaries down by nearly 50%, violent crime increases: report

(KRON) — The Oakland Police Department shared its most recent weekly crime report on Thursday. OPD reports an 11% increase in violent crime, but a 32% decrease in crime overall compared to last year. 

The largest notable change is a near 50% decrease in burglaries, especially car and commercial thefts, and a near 60% reduction in larceny theft. Oakland police reported 1,981 burglaries so far in 2024 — nearly 2,000 less than this time last year.

In August, Oakland Mayor Sheng Tao introduced Creating a Safer Oakland for All, an initiative dedicated to reducing violent crime rates in Oakland, most notably through increasing police presence with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). 

Despite a large decrease in burglaries, Oakland has also seen a 35% increase in robberies, with the city especially seeing an uptick in those using firearms, the report said. OPD reports a 42% increase in gun robberies and a 71% increase in commercial robberies in 2024 compared to last year. 

However, through June 25 of last year (2023), OPD data shows a 25% decrease in robberies from 2022, leading to a sudden uptick in robberies from 2023 to 2024. 

According to the report, OPD saw a 16% reduction in homicide rates, a 13% decrease in assault with a firearm, and a 24% decrease in rape in 2024 compared to last year, the report said.

Since 2020, Oakland has seen an overall increase in violent crimes at 8%, but a 16% reduction in crime statistics as a whole.