Oakland, Richmond named among the most dangerous cities (Sacramento, Berkeley: apartment, condo)

[cincyUK]

y'all, how is the Lake Merritt area in Oakland? Some people have told me it's nice and neighborhoody, but now reading this, I'm am having serious second thoughts...

What is its proximity to "the hood"? Is crime a problem there?

What areas in the East Bay are safe?

Moving soon, any information would be much appreciated

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by cincyUK

y'all, how is the Lake Merritt area in Oakland? Some people have told me it's nice and neighborhoody, but now reading this, I'm am having serious second thoughts...

What is its proximity to "the hood"? Is crime a problem there?

What areas in the East Bay are safe?

Moving soon, any information would be much appreciated

Lake Merritt is fine. Like any other urban environment its advisable to be aware of your surroundings, but LM is not an area known for lots of crime...and the hood is to the southwest of the lake. But its a pretty tame hood(New Chinatown)

[sonarrat]

The 'hood is from 70th Avenue out to 98th Avenue - they call it Deep East Oakland, or D.E.O. - and Ghostown, which is just southwest of the Macarthur Maze. They aren't the only sketchy areas but they're the most notorious.

[krudmonk]

There's still hope. Look at East Palo Alto.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

There's still hope. Look at East Palo Alto.

Oakland has much nicer areas than EPA. But I do get your point.

EPA's lucky in that its practically surrounded by a printing press of money.

[Bob The Builder]

Monty

I understand the family drama. I am now living in Italy and raising three little boys without the family drama. High wealth and education in any region does not preclude bad behavior. Sometimes it masks or enables it. That is my point. I did not leave in disgust with the less fortunate, I left in disgust with the more fortunate who thought their poop didn't stink.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

Monty

I understand the family drama. I am now living in Italy and raising three little boys without the family drama.

Well, if we're talking about Italy, that changes everything. That place is on a higher plane as far as knowing how to live imo.

High wealth and education in any region does not preclude bad behavior. Sometimes it masks or enables it. That is my point. I did not leave in disgust with the less fortunate, I left in disgust with the more fortunate who thought their poop didn't stink.

I agree with this statement, living abroad really puts things into perspective. Which is why its a shame to see Oakland, a city so full of potential, get mired in all this poop(and believe me, it stinks). Even with the problems, there is a lot of promise, including the worst areas. There is a vibrant and very creative young population of all races that struggles to succeed and many do despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. There has to be a way to solve crime without chasing away the very elements that make Oakland Oakland.

[18Montclair]

um, at least Oakland's criminals arent bigots.LOL

[Slauson Rosecranz]

Originally Posted by aswedc

4. Oakland, CA
9. Richmond, CA

The annual list of the most dangerous cities in America is out again and the Bay Area is well represented. A variety of news stories on the study can be found easily enough on Google News.

Any thoughts on why there is such a serious crime problem within close proximity to one of the wealthiest and most educated cities in the world?

Compton isn't on this list?

Highly dubious.

[Milliano]

The murder rate for the last five years, including 2006, in Oakland has been always significantly lower than in Compton. Are there even any cops in Compton? Why would anyone even bother to report crime in Compton. Apparently in Compton, per capita it has a theft rate half of the national average Over the last two years, there have been just as many auto thefts in Compton as all other thefts (apparently)...
I wonder why Oakland's crime rate has skyrocketed the in 05 and 06.