The Oakland Police Department announced Sunday it’s adding more staffing to tackle the increase in violent crime.
The announcement comes just a day after the death of security guard and retired police officer Kevin Nishita.
A security firm assigned Nishita to guard a news crew from KRON4 during a story in Oakland. Gunmen shot and killed Nishita while robbing the crew of its camera equipment.
An outpouring of sympathy, grief, and shock poured in immediately after Nishita’s death.
“The one thing he was telling me was how much he enjoyed doing what he was doing working for the media, still being out there with people, and still making those friends,” said San Francisco Park Ranger Jayel Whitted to ABC7.
Nishita most recently worked as a Sergeant in the Colma Police Department. Prior to that, the San Jose Police Department assigned him to its gang unit. He’s also worked for the Hayward Police Department.
A $32,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
A Go Fund Me for Nishita’s family has raised $22,000 so far. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
“I’d hear a certain call come out and I was kind of like sketchy about it, but when I heard that Kevin was the one coming to cover me, I didn’t know how but I knew things were going to be okay,” says Whitted.
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