100s Of Concerned Residents Attend Oakland Neighborhood Safety Summit

OAKLAND (KCBS)—The City of Oakland has recorded 84 murders so far this year, two as recent as this Friday. Yet, Mayor Jean Quan is urging people to take a look at the longer violent crime trend, saying things are actually looking positive.

A crowd of several hundred people from all over the city packed Laney College's gym on Fallon Street to take part in a half-day Neighborhood Safety Summit.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

The new Chief of Police Howard Jordan was on hand to discuss part of his department's new strategy.

"I acknowledge that we the police department have to a better job in the way we treat our residents," Jordan said.

The city is outlining 100 blocks where violent crime is prevalent. Chief Jordan added, "I can change these 100 blocks with your help."

Neighborhood crime watch captain Mark Lyons, who lives in the relatively crime-free area of Piedmont, said it isn't so much homicides that are the problem in his area, but burglaries and police response times.

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