Every time I log on to AOL to check my mail, I always find myself looking at the news they put on their site. It seems that a lot of the time, they put up different polls and things like that. Today, I was looking at polls that showed the safest states, unhealthiest states, and dangerous cities. The one that struck my interest was the list of the most dangerous cities. Going through the list, there were three California cities, including Compton, Richmond, and Oakland. Oakland was number four, while Detroit ranked number one.
This news kind of shocked me. I know I have always heard news about all the murders and shootings that take place in Oakland. However, when it ranks number 4 out of all the U.S cities, it is a real eye opener. I have been to Oakland before, more so for sporting events and concerts. In my opinion, those parts I have been to do not "rub me the wrong way". I know there are more parts of Oakland that may be more difficult to live in.
Going back to the polls, AOL presented rankings within different categories. In the assault, motor vehicle theft and murder category, it was ranked number 2. With rape it was number 49. Robbery was number 5 and burglary, number 17.
There are constant news stories in the bay area that focus on tragedies that happen in Oakland, and I just hope that things will be able to change in the future. Even though this city may be one of the most dangerous in the U.S, I will always be a supporter of the Oakland Raiders and Athletics.
4 comments:
Yeah, it's called the Ghetto. Poor people on poor people. Racial division. These are the crimes of survival. Ways of making money that prey on other people. Poverty creates desperation. Perhaps if we invested money into the education system and invested a sense of community amid cracked souls, there could be healing. in Oakland and Detroit, and all those other inner city crime meccas, we might see a change.
If not, more change will come regardless, it will only get worse.
Oakland may be a really bad city for crime but in its defense it has been getting much better. The crime rates have been consistently going down and they are brining more business into the city. Oakland was also voted one of the best cities for pollution and health. I know these things don't matter as much as murder but they are important to consider. Keep going to games and supporting this city... check out the Warriors games sometimes too!
Amen "the value of one person"...Let's also keep in mind Oakland is the birthplace of the "chemical warfare" known as crack, introduced by our very own US government and corrupt, misguided individuals. It also is a hot bed for so-called radical political movements, which causes a more devout focus on that area by the police, which in turns causes more unrest.
Like my girl said, instead of investing in more pigs and pig facilities and arsenals, maybe we (we being the government) should invest in programs that help to defuse this desperation, such as education system, welfare programs, school breakfasts and lunches, after school rec. centers and tutoring centers, community rebuilding projects, and many more things of the sort...like my girl said
I have been to Oakland many times over the years and it is true that there are some very impoverished areas but there are also improvements going on there. It's very crowded and that's a big part of the problem and to be honest, I don't know how the city is going to address it. Like so many cities, including Salinas, the rise in gangs and drug use seems to be exhausting our law enforcement and each time we think we are starting to see improvement, another shooting occurs to remind us how far we have to go.
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