A crime-ridden city in California may be on the brink of change after residents took decisive action against their liberal mayor.
Oakland’s Mayor Sheng Thao will face a historic recall election in November due to widespread dissatisfaction with her handling of the city’s escalating crime crisis.
Sheng Thao, a progressive Democrat, is the first mayor in Oakland’s history to face a recall. The campaign to remove her from office collected over 40,000 signatures, reflecting a significant portion of the community’s frustration. The Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao (OUST) campaign claims that Thao’s “incompetence and dishonesty” have exacerbated Oakland’s decline, leading to the closure of longstanding businesses and the exodus of generational families.
One of the major criticisms against Thao is her failure to apply for a $15 million retail theft grant. Additionally, she dismissed Oakland Police Chief LaRonne Armstrong “for no cause” without naming a successor, which critics argue left a leadership vacuum in the police department. Another blow to the city’s morale was the loss of the Oakland A’s baseball team, a cherished local institution. Thao is also accused of falsely claiming to have declared a State of Emergency to address the city’s crime wave.
Oakland has been gripped by a surge in violent crime over recent months. Murders increased from 78 in 2019 to 126 in 2022. Overall crime rose by 18% in 2023, with property crimes up 17% and violent crimes up 21%. In the first four months of 2024, residential robberies jumped by a staggering 118% compared to the same period the previous year. Alarmingly, in 2023, one car was stolen for every 30 residents.
This dire situation has driven several large corporations to leave Oakland, citing concerns for employee safety and the devastating impact of retail theft. Notable incidents of crime have made headlines, such as a Florida family who had their rental car broken into while dropping off their son for college. Traumatized by the experience, they withdrew their son from school and fled the city. In another disturbing case, a woman was dragged along the ground by two muggers after resisting them.
The city’s only In-N-Out Burger, despite being profitable, closed after 18 years due to safety concerns for customers and staff. Similarly, the local Denny’s shut its doors, and Taco Bell stopped offering indoor dining due to numerous incidents. In response to the lack of action from city officials, major companies like Kaiser, PG&E, Clorox, and Blue Shield invested $10 million in additional security measures for their employees.
Thao’s opponents argue that her progressive policies have contributed to the crime surge. One controversial proposal under her administration suggested that life coaching could help reduce homicides and other crimes, part of a ceasefire plan that had been losing momentum until Thao took office. The OUST campaign criticized her for dismantling the Oakland Police Department, contributing to the city’s reputation as one of the most dangerous in America. They stated, “You lack the competency, credibility, judgment, and ability to lead what was once a great American city. Lives have been lost, property destroyed, businesses have shut down, and fear and collective trauma are daily occurrences for Oaklanders.”
In her defense, Thao has pointed out that the crime increase began in 2019, before her tenure as mayor. Nevertheless, the recall effort has gained substantial momentum. Alongside Thao, Alameda County’s progressive district attorney, Pamela Price, also faces a recall in November. Price’s policies are accused of emboldening criminals and prioritizing their needs over those of crime victims.
This recall movement in Oakland mirrors a similar situation in San Francisco in 2022, where progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin was recalled amid public outrage. As Oakland gears up for this pivotal recall election, residents are hopeful that a change in leadership will help restore safety and stability to their beleaguered city.
