Crime in Oakland drops nearly 30% to start 2026, police say
Police in Oakland on Wednesday released data that showed declines in crime during the first three months of 2026.
According to the department, so-called "Part I" crimes were down 29% from January 1 through March 31, compared to the same period last year. Part I crimes include homicides, aggravated assaults, rape, robbery and burglary.
"If you're the victim of a crime, these statistics may not reflect how you feel. We understand and we take it very seriously. At the same time, many of my neighbors, merchants, family, and other residents, and even visitors coming to Oakland have expressed how safer it feels," Interim Police Chief James Beere said at a news conference Wednesday.
Some of the biggest declines in crime include the number of homicides. Despite a violent start to the year which saw five homicides in the first three days of 2026, homicides are down 39% (23 to 14) in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, aggravated assaults are down 13% (678 to 588), robberies fell 30% (537 to 374), cases of rape fell 50% (46 to 23), while cases of burglary dropped 54% (2,424 to 1,124).
Amid the reported declines, police said they are noting slight increases in residential robberies and incidents involving weapons other than firearms or knives.
Beere credited strong partnerships with the community along with leadership from Mayor Barbara Lee and the City Administrator's office for the decline.
"The message is very clear that our strategies are definitely working," Lee said at the news conference.
The mayor said the progress is a result of what she described as an "all hands-on deck" approach with law enforcement, violence prevention, crisis response and community partnerships.
"We're not declaring victory at all. We're staying focused. There is more work to do to ensure that every single neighborhood feels this progress and knows that this progress is real. We're committed to building on what's working," Lee said.
Police said they hope to continue to make progress with a 90-day crime reduction plan which includes targeting illegal dirt bike riding and ATV riding, along with actions against sideshows. Last month, officers seized a dozen dirt bikes and made at least four arrests in two separate crackdowns.
"If you come to the city of Oakland to ride your dirt bikes or ATVs illegally, we will find you, we will hold you accountable and we will arrest you," said Interim Assistant Police Chief Casey Johnson.
The department added that patrols will also be ramped up for upcoming holidays such as Cinco De Mayo, May Day and Memorial Day and that they would partner with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the DEA on a 60-day operation to reduce gun violence.