Okay, so where exactly are these so-called "horrible areas" in Oakland? (San Francisco: middle-class, crimes)

[Teckeeee]

No offense at all, but I lived in Santa Cruz from 92 to 94 and went to Oakland twice. Once to do research for my paper on Malcom X and one for a rave. On both occasions I got mad dogged quite a bit being the only white guy around at the time. And I know what gangsters look like and act as I did social work with them in a group home for a year.

At the rave there was a shooting in the parking lot about 50 yds from me. Luckily the guy wasn't hit the other fired 2-3 rounds. Black guy shooting at Hispanic. Now granted raves were parties to the extreme, but in the 10 or so I went to that was the only shooting. Fist fights sure occasionally but not gunfire. After the shooting I tried to run back in the rave but security locked the door. About 2 minutes later hard core gang bangers drove up with their low rider hydraulic cars with dinkies mad dogging every one hoping to stir up more trouble just driving around staring at people. No one messed with them so they left. Not one cop showed up at all. That was the last time I went to Oakland.

[llowllevellowll]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

i would suggest that u take a stroll alone along lake merritt late at night to demonstrate your assertions that oakland has no crime. make sure your insurance is paid up b4 u leave.

...so you can see yuppies walking/jogging around the lake? Honestly, outside of ridiculous hill-side homes, Lake Merritt is probably Oakland's tamest and certainly its most gorgeous area. I walk around the lake at night a lot and rarely see anyone that makes me feel anything but in a good mood.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Parti Rhinocéros

...so you can see yuppies walking/jogging around the lake? Honestly, outside of ridiculous hill-side homes, Lake Merritt is probably Oakland's tamest and certainly its most gorgeous area. I walk around the lake at night a lot and rarely see anyone that makes me feel anything but in a good mood.

Sometimes I used to run around the lake at night when I wanted to clear my head....cut through the park several times as well. Never had a single problem except for being propositioned. lol

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by Colorado xxxxx

No offense at all, but I lived in Santa Cruz from 92 to 94 and went to Oakland twice. Once to do research for my paper on Malcom X and one for a rave. On both occasions I got mad dogged quite a bit being the only white guy around at the time. And I know what gangsters look like and act as I did social work with them in a group home for a year.

At the rave there was a shooting in the parking lot about 50 yds from me. Luckily the guy wasn't hit the other fired 2-3 rounds. Black guy shooting at Hispanic. Now granted raves were parties to the extreme, but in the 10 or so I went to that was the only shooting. Fist fights sure occasionally but not gunfire. After the shooting I tried to run back in the rave but security locked the door. About 2 minutes later hard core gang bangers drove up with their low rider hydraulic cars with dinkies mad dogging every one hoping to stir up more trouble just driving around staring at people. No one messed with them so they left. Not one cop showed up at all. That was the last time I went to Oakland.

Cool story bro. I'm sure Oakland today is EXACTLY like you remembered the two times you went there, with the sole intention of associating with illegal activity, one for 'research' and the other for pleasure.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

Cool story bro. I'm sure Oakland today is EXACTLY like you remembered the two times you went there, with the sole intention of associating with illegal activity, one for 'research' and the other for pleasure.

You do know some people post the truth..........I was there to research Malcom X for a paper as the Oakland public library had the best info on him and the Black Panther Party. Maybe you should try checking out your own library and see.

[Natural510]

Originally Posted by Colorado xxxxx

You do know some people post the truth..........I was there to research Malcom X for a paper as the Oakland public library had the best info on him and the Black Panther Party. Maybe you should try checking out your own library and see.

Your anecdotal story about visiting a couple times twenty years ago doesn't pertain to the subject at hand, still. I know Brooklynites who tell stories of entire blocks getting shot up on a nightly basis in the 1990s which now have yuppies pushing strollers and drinking lattes not looking out of place.

[ssmaster]

Originally Posted by Colorado xxxxx

No offense at all, but I lived in Santa Cruz from 92 to 94 and went to Oakland twice. Once to do research for my paper on Malcom X and one for a rave. On both occasions I got mad dogged quite a bit being the only white guy around at the time. And I know what gangsters look like and act as I did social work with them in a group home for a year.

At the rave there was a shooting in the parking lot about 50 yds from me. Luckily the guy wasn't hit the other fired 2-3 rounds. Black guy shooting at Hispanic. Now granted raves were parties to the extreme, but in the 10 or so I went to that was the only shooting. Fist fights sure occasionally but not gunfire. After the shooting I tried to run back in the rave but security locked the door. About 2 minutes later hard core gang bangers drove up with their low rider hydraulic cars with dinkies mad dogging every one hoping to stir up more trouble just driving around staring at people. No one messed with them so they left. Not one cop showed up at all. That was the last time I went to Oakland.

the only white guy at a rave sounds more than a little off. i have been to raves in downtown detroit in the late 90's and they were overwhelmingly young white people in a city 80% AA.
it's just not a scene where you would be the only white guy.

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by Colorado xxxxx

You do know some people post the truth..........I was there to research Malcom X for a paper as the Oakland public library had the best info on him and the Black Panther Party. Maybe you should try checking out your own library and see.

I'm not saying a shooting couldn't have happened at an illegal, underground rave where people are on drugs and surrounded by a criminal element. That doesn't sound surprising at all actually. Sorry the criminals you were associating with were giving you dirty looks because you looked out of place.

As for going to the Oakland public library to research the Black Panther Party, you really are a scholar aren't you? So much better than actually interviewing countless citizens of Oakland who could provide an even richer history found in books...


Thanks for sharing your opinions and experiences. They really show the true Oakland!

[asnboy1084]

Although East and West Oakland are known as the crime areas, basically anywhere in Oakland is pretty bad. Statistics don't lie. 1 in 91 residents were robbed last year, your odds are higher if you look like an easy target (ie. have money). Oakland is the robbery capital of America, 36% worse than the second worst city. Also the 7th deadliest city in America and not improving anytime soon with 3 police chiefs this month.

My advice to OP is don't lull yourself into a false sense of security or listen to the Oakland Fan Boys of this forum, do your own research.

Oakland Has More Robberies Than Any City In America

http://www.crimemapping.com/

[Natural510]

Originally Posted by asnboy1084

Although East and West Oakland are known as the crime areas, basically anywhere in Oakland is pretty bad. Statistics don't lie. 1 in 91 residents were robbed last year, your odds are higher if you look like an easy target (ie. have money). Oakland is the robbery capital of America, 36% worse than the second worst city. Also the 7th deadliest city in America and not improving anytime soon with 3 police chiefs this month.

My advice to OP is don't lull yourself into a false sense of security or listen to the Oakland Fan Boys of this forum, do your own research.

Oakland Has More Robberies Than Any City In America

http://www.crimemapping.com/

By "Oakland fanboys" of course you mean "Oakland residents", which you are not. Please leave the advice to those who actually know the city, rather than falsehoods such as "anywhere in Oakland is pretty bad".