Send in the troops — or at least the state prosecutors.
That’s what California Gov. Gavin Newsom has decreed in the wake of soaring crime in Oakland that’s being blamed on woke District Attorney Pamela Price.
Violent crime is on the upswing in Alameda County, where it jumped almost 20% in 2023 compared to 2019, with businesses including In-N-Out shutting down because of rampant crime.
Price has been called out for promoting liberal policies such as lower jail terms to increase “equity” in the city.
Newsom plans to “deploy” state attorneys to the spiraling city to “boost law enforcement capacity in Oakland and the East Bay to investigate, analyze and prosecute suspects in violent, property and serious drug-related crimes,” his office announced Thursday.
The deployment will also include retail theft and auto burglary.
Alameda County has one of the highest crime rates in America, according to Neighborhood Scout.
Pundits believe Newsom is cracking down because he’s mulling a possible presidential bid — and knows that crime-addled cities like Oakland could be targets for rivals.
“An arrest isn’t enough,” he said in a statement. “Justice demands that suspects are appropriately prosecuted. Whether it’s ‘bipping’ or carjacking, attempted murder or fentanyl trafficking, individuals must be held accountable for their crimes using the full and appropriate weight of the law.”
Price, who’s been hit with a recall from disgruntled voters — seemed on board with the plan at a recent press conference.
“As you all know the governor’s office along with the attorney general announced that we are forming a partnership with them to address some of the crime activity that has been happening in Alameda County, particularly Oakland,” Price said.
“We appreciate that the governor, along with the attorney general, has agreed to provide additional resources for the prosecution of violent crime as well as primarily narcotics activities as well as auto theft.”
Price said three deputies will be assigned to her office and report to Mike Nieto, one of her prosecutors.
Newsom’s initiative comes as crime rates soar in Oakland and videos of frightening carjackings — including one of a 67-year-old woman being pistol-whipped and dragged across the pavement by two young men — surfaced last month.
The woman was left with severe injuries.
Price has been Alameda County DA since January 2023.
Her campaign promised progressive policies, including shorter prison sentences and not charging juveniles as adults.
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Dana Kennedy
