Oakland Chinatown leaders are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency to address the rise in crime, CBS San Francisco reports.
Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce President Carl Chan spoke at a press conference Tuesday alongside other Chinatown leaders. Chan said that Oakland’s Chinatown has been hit hard with violent crime this past year.
Chan believes the increase is partly due to “defund the police” rhetoric. He is also concerned that the justice system is too lenient, leaving criminals unafraid of the consequences of their actions.
“Governor Newsom, we want you to declare a state of emergency for the city of Oakland. We want you to bring in the California Highway Patrol,” Chan said, reading from a letter he sent to Newsom demanding action, according to CBS San Francisco. “I’m not only asking you for Chinatown. I’m asking you to send the police, the CHP, to the city of Oakland; all areas. We need your help.”
There have been a number of recent attacks in Chinatown. Just last weekend, a good samaritan was shot intervening in a robbery in Oakland’s Chinatown. According to ABC7 the number of recent attacks has forced businesses in the area to close early.
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