To what extent is Oakland's crime exaggerated? (Sacramento, Stockton: violent crime, unemployment)

[jade408]

I think some people actually think there is some sort of "walled garden" around the "haves" and the "have nots" in Oakland. Obviously there isn't. And there are plenty of people with plenty of money and options who happily live in Oakland. So what does that tell you about the quality of life?

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by jade408

The thing is, sometimes random crime happens. Like a few months ago someone got killed at the Great Mall in Milpitas. And of course there was the infamous German tourist in SF. The question that you really have to ask, what are the odds that random crime is going to happen to you. These random crimes get uber publicized when they happen in Oakland. But when you really look at the map, they are pretty rare.

According to popular opinion the odds of that happening in Oakland are really high. In reality, that isn't the case. I successfully go about my daily business in Oakland without incident. Today I walked around the Lake.

As someone mentioned, if this wasn't the case, Gentoo, 18Montclair, Mayorhaggar and I would all be ghosts.

I mentioned it and I am a ghost. Here to haunt the living sh*t out of certain posters

[Stephen1110]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

I mentioned it and I am a ghost. Here to haunt the living sh*t out of certain posters

I'm Stevenjuice, the Ghost with the Most.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by Stephen1110

I'm Stevenjuice, the Ghost with the Most.

Wish I could stick around and haunt with you. Will be on my way to Washington on Thursday.

[hypocrisy101]

Originally Posted by BayAreaDave

Going through West Oakland in the day the only impression I ever get is that I am in a poor area. Doesn't feel particularly dangerous. I always see white hipsters riding bikes, not typical of a "dangerous" hood. Even at the Acorn projects, the area looks quiet and I see a lot of Asian families walking around. Some areas look worse, (the prostitutes on Market) but it looks and feels a lot safer than San Francisco's Tenderloin. Going through East Oakland, I get the impression that a lot more crime occurs. But I don't think I would feel unsafe out East either.

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

So the OP is saying essentially: 'It doesnt seem nearly as bad in person as I thought it would be, is that a true observation?'

And the answer is, it depends but general street smarts and awareness should suffice, which is true. The fastest growing demographic in Oakland is affluent families and hipsters---two of the most coveted groups.


Ironic that people who wouldnt know are so adamant in telling actual Oaklanders that we dont know what we're talking about.

This is so common only with Oakland threads...I dont understand why but whatever.

i interpreted it differently. it seems to me the op is saying: "if white hipsters are willing to live in a poor Black area then it can't be that bad. seeing hipsters make me feel safe,even though I'm afraid of Black people"
and
"Asian families live in the projects. Asians are non-threatening. Black people are dangerous,but the fact that Asians live there helps me feel safer"

no one else found this offensive that he injected race into the discussion?

[ambient]

Originally Posted by Stephen1110

Once again, per capita is misleading. It still does not tell you your chances of becoming a crime victim.

And "crimes per square mile" does?

Per capita crime rates are highly relevant - much moreso than looking at raw numbers or number per square mile. While they don't tell you your mathematical odds, it can be rationally inferred that higher per capita crime rate generally increases your odds vs. lower per capita crime rate. There is a reason why educated statisticians consistently use this as a general metric.

It's a big "politically correct" sport du jour around here to always defend and discount crime in Oakland (can almost get you censored), but it needs to be said that the statistics over time are pervasive and telling - Oakland is and has been less safe than San Francisco, and it's not even close. Furthermore, Oakland has steadily ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the entire country, never mind just the Bay area. It's not to say that there aren't nice things and good areas in Oakland, but the numbers simply are what they are and do not lie - PERIOD. Not sure why it has become so trendy to lie about them when the data is so readily available to the public.

[Stephen1110]

Originally Posted by ambient

And "crimes per square mile" does?

Per capita crime rates are highly relevant - much moreso than looking at raw numbers or number per square mile. While they don't tell you your mathematical odds, it can be rationally inferred that higher per capita crime rate generally increases your odds vs. lower per capita crime rate. There is a reason why educated statisticians consistently use this as a general metric.

I never said "crimes per square mile" did.

There is a reason why the FBI and criminologist point out that crime rates are misleading because it doesn't reveal your individual crime risk due to the fact it does not consider the many variables that affect the nature, extent, and volume of crime.

Originally Posted by ambient

It's a big "politically correct" sport du jour around here to always defend and discount crime in Oakland (can almost get you censored), but it needs to be said that the statistics over time are pervasive and telling - Oakland is and has been less safe than San Francisco, and it's not even close. Furthermore, Oakland has steadily ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the entire country, never mind just the Bay area.

Crime rates are misleading, therefore crime rankings are misleading.

Originally Posted by ambient

It's not to say that there aren't nice things and good areas in Oakland, but the numbers simply are what they are and do not lie - PERIOD. Not sure why it has become so trendy to lie about them when the data is so readily available to the public.

Really? You are going to sit up here and say "it's not to say," but when it is said, we're discounting crime, cheerleaders, and lying. Look, a nonresident of Oakland can not tell me about this city. PERIOD

[funtimessf]

Oakland has a high crime rate, but that is a result of a some sketchy neighborhoods. Oakland is hardly a scary place in general, it is a large city that covers more land area than San Francisco. Just use common sense and avoid the bad parts of town.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by Stephen1110

Look, a nonresident of Oakland can not tell me about this city. PERIOD

Location: Alameda, CA

[dragontales]

Some little girl got killed recently.
Also an old lady was shot in her car. She lived in the neighborhood for a long time.
Very sad.