There was a remarkable 34% decrease in homicides and a similar drop in non-fatal shootings throughout 2024, marking what activists have dubbed “the safest year since the start of the COVID pandemic,” according to CBS News San Francisco.
The impressive plunge in violence is attributed to strategies such as Ceasefire, a non-profit program that has meticulously worked to identify individuals at higher risk of perpetrating gun violence offering support, services, and employment alternatives to redirect their paths; Holly Joshi, Oakland’s Violence Prevention Chief detailed the initiative’s approach, revealing that “over 200 people” were reached by the program this year, a fact that has seemingly contributed to the city’s downturn in violent events, CBS News San Francisco reported.
Nevertheless, while the city makes headway in diminishing bloodshed, concerns over rampant burglaries and other crimes sour the positive gains; on Hegenberger Rd., for instance, businesses have closed their doors, with the prominent exit being the only In-N-Out restaurant in the company’s history to shut down due to crime impact with local business owner Hung Tran expressing skepticism towards the city’s safety…