Oakland has faced significant challenges over the past few years. Our ongoing budget crisis and political turmoil, on top of the crime and violence spike we experienced nationally during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, shook us all. Oakland residents are ready for better days.
The good news is that since last year, we’ve seen a rapid drop in crime across the board — a 33% decrease compared to the same timeframe in 2024. We accomplished this without increasing the number of sworn officers or funding to police.
This success isn’t incidental, nor is it an accident. It is the result of years of advocacy and hard work by community-based organizations in Oakland to change harmful policies that needlessly criminalize and incarcerate our young people. Groups like Urban Peace Movement provide resources and healing services to those who’ve experienced state and community violence to not only help cope with loss but to also interrupt cycles of harm.
Because we know, and evidence confirms, that increased incarceration does not guarantee increased safety. In fact, mass incarceration can make us less safe because the destabilizing and brutal nature of prison harms people’s ability to succeed, breaks up families, and fragments communities. Instead, real public safety comes from investing in prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and healing.
This is why our work is grounded in healing-centered organizing, which recognizes true safety requires addressing trauma at both the individual and community level. All of our work — from providing immediate support to people who’ve experienced violence to community events that offer alternative modes of healing and large-scale community events that celebrate Oakland’s history and culture — is rooted in creating real community safety for all of Oakland through breaking cycles of violence.
Oakland voters understand this, which is why they overwhelmingly passed Measure NN in 2024 to continue supporting community-based programs, as well as violence prevention, intervention, and response initiatives that target the root causes of violence. This is exactly the kind of funding the city and county need to prioritize if they are serious about creating a better and safer future for our communities. And with Mayor Barbara Lee now at the helm, we have a real opportunity to build on the positive trends we’re already seeing.
Our current budget crisis is the direct result of years of pouring resources into harmful “tough on crime” tactics that have failed to produce meaningful results. To achieve real community safety, we must ensure the most vulnerable among us have access to nutritious food, well-funded schools, stable housing, and liveable wages. We must also deepen ties with our neighbors, expand access to treatment for substance use disorders, and provide mental health and healing services for those impacted by violence.
Despite our success, powerful interests continue to try to undermine our progress. The same mega-wealthy real estate, finance, and tech tycoons that have spent millions to buy elections and subvert democracy are determined to stoke panic and division among us. They’re not done with Oakland despite our fervent refusal to accept their lies.
Whether in Oakland, Contra Costa County, or across California with the passage of Prop. 36, these billionaires are intent on dragging us backward to the failed era of mass incarceration driven by racist “tough on crime” policies. They’ll do whatever it takes to maintain power and continue hoarding wealth off the backs of taxpayers at the expense of public safety and community well-being.
This is why our communities in Oakland must stand strong, united, and resolute in defending our city. We must continue to build on the successful community based solutions that create true public safety — solutions rooted in increasing community cohesion, healing, and essential services and resources; not fear mongering and mass incarceration. Our focus must remain on investing in supporting community organizations and holding our leaders accountable to prioritize real public safety.
Sikander Iqbal is deputy director of Urban Peace Movement in Oakland.
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