There has been a noticeable increase in freeway shootings in recent years. Despite the statewide decline in crime rates, there are concerns about the accuracy of these statistics in reflecting the true situation in the Bay Area.
In a recent report, the California Highway Patrol revealed that freeway shootings experienced a significant decline of 21% between 2022 and 2023. There has been a significant decrease of 38% since reaching its peak during the pandemic in 2021.
Despite the fact that there are still over 270 shootings being investigated statewide in 2023, some individuals argue that the decrease is insufficient. Carl Chan, an Oakland community advocate, expressed his satisfaction with the number, but highlighted that it does not instill a sense of safety for many families at this point. “Despite a significant drop of 20%, the figures remain alarmingly high,”
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement expressing his concern over the tragic loss of life due to gun violence. He emphasized that even a single life lost is one too many. California vows to continue its unwavering commitment to enhancing public safety.
The CHP Golden Gate Division has released a report stating that there has been a significant decrease of 16% in the number of confirmed freeway shootings in the Bay Area in 2023. The total number of incidents recorded is 96. Analyzing data and deploying additional resources in hot spots have been credited with contributing to the change in those numbers.
Officer Andrew Barclay emphasized that their efforts extend beyond what has been mentioned so far. “Efforts are being made to discover additional resources and explore strategies to effectively reduce the numbers,” a spokesperson stated.
However, the significance of numbers diminishes in the wake of a shooting incident. A freeway shooting on Interstate 880 in San Lorenzo resulted in two children being hospitalized with gunshot wounds after their car was struck by gunfire, just over a week ago.
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In a tragic incident last April, a 5-year-old girl named Eliyanah Crisotomo lost her life while her family was traveling on I-880 near the Fremont-Milpitas border. In 2021, a tragic incident occurred when 2-year-old Jasper Wu lost his life in a crossfire during a rolling gun battle along I-880.
Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo believes that the decreasing numbers fail to provide a complete picture. “It appears that there may be a lack of comprehensive coverage regarding the ongoing violence in the City of Oakland and the surrounding highways,” expressed Gallo. “There is a clear need for improvement at the state level,”
According to the California State Transportation Agency, the promised 200 freeway cameras by Newsom in the spring of 2021 have now been installed in the Bay Area. These cameras can be found along Highway 4 and Interstates 80, 580, and 880. Gallo and other Oakland city leaders claim to have no knowledge of any new cameras within the city limits.
Gallo stated that the items are not currently in position, not situated, and not prepared for use. “It is crucial that we are transparent and straightforward when sharing information with the public.” NBC Bay Area contacted the California Transportation Agency for a statement, and they confirmed the installation of cameras in the city.
In a statement by Assistant Deputy Secretary for Communications Marty Greenstein, it was revealed that Caltrans has recently installed a total of 63 cameras in Oakland and an additional 56 cameras in other parts of Alameda County. Caltrans plans to assess various locations for potential upgrades and expansions of camera systems, aiming to enhance the management of the transportation system.
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