OPD "Ride-Along" Opens Eyes to Sad Reality

by Dennis Evanosky

I continue to be a privileged member of the Laurel neighbors' Yahoo group. It's a great way to keep up with what's going on in the neighborhood. Messages range from one neighbor looking for a plumber to another who found a dog, to a third with plants to pass along.

This digital-age tool is also keeping us aware and informed of suspicious, sometimes criminal, activity in the neighborhood. The news, for example, of a gang of thugs breaking into cars spread in a more timely way than would have ever been possible before the group was started.

Recently, when one neighbor expressed concern about not knowing about a homicide on Kansas Street, others were quick with explanations. None quicker, however, than Claudia Jimenez from Jean Quan's office, who provided not only a clear account of what happened, but provided the Oakland Tribune article that detailed the crime.

"Shots were fired on the 3800 block of Kansas street, but the incident did not involve anyone from the neighborhood," Jimenez assured the group. "This is an incident that basically took place all across town." Anyone who wanted to know more could simply scroll down and read the Tribune article.

"Our neighborhood, unfortunately, is not exempt from gun violence or crime in general," one member of the group offered. "But it doesn't have to be this way. If we all work together, we can change it and let the criminals know they are not welcome here."

This chain of e-mails started when one member of the group logged on to let us all know about an experience with an Oakland Police Department "ride-along."

"I participated in a police ride-along last Saturday night ... a very eye-opening experience and not for the faint of heart," the member said.

The Oakland Police Department will allow citizens to get into a patrol car and "ride along" with a beat officer. All that is required is a background check. As you can imagine, there is no better way to learn first-hand what Oakland police officers experience during a "day at the office," as one of my OPD friends expresses it.

The participant, who rode along for the "dog watch" was "appalled at what goes on after 2 a.m."

And there was something else: "You would be appalled at how grossly understaffed the OPD is," the participant said. "[The ride-along] highlighted the importance of doing what we can to [vote for] adequate emergency services. I assure you, they are not adequate!"

All of us should regard the points made in this post-ride-along e-mail as ways to get safer neighborhoods. I've followed each comment with some of my own in parentheses.

1. We must work together as a community by being a Community Watch neighborhood. If you see suspicious activity, report it to OPD nonemergency line (777-3333), or if you feel it is a threat to our safety, call 911.

(When you do, remember to write down the dispatcher's number and incident number.)

2. Let's post signs and watch each other's backs.

(Get involved with Home Alert; call 238-3068 to find out how. Once you do, hold regular meetings, and invite your beat officers to stop by. They'll be delighted to meet some new "eyes and ears." They will also pay particular attention to problems you point out to them while they're at your meeting.)

3. The neighborhoods that report the most problems get the most attention.

(People on our street call all the time for anything we see. Do not feel you are bothering OPD. You will find the officers will respond on a priority basis. When they do, thank them and get to know them.)

4. Most important, work together to help the children and teenagers in our neighborhood by hiring them for odd jobs such as gardening, cleaning a garage, or moving furniture.

(We have a whole group of kids on our block. I've lived here since 1986. I've watched them grow from ankle-biters to teens. None gets in trouble, because the parents and the neighbors care. They hold a monthly carwash for $5. I always pay them $10 it's worth it.)

"Most of the kids getting in trouble have little or no adult supervision or jobs," the member said. "Providing them with structure and responsibility is a step toward making them feel valued, and responsible for their neighborhood".

This member has kids help with plants, move rocks, boxes, etc. "I paid one $10 to help me move some rocks to build a waterfall. He now reminds me when he sees me in the yard that I need help with the small weeds growing in my front yard, and for $5 or $10 he would take care of the problem for me. Ya gotta love it."

"It takes a village," the epistle ended.

Indeed it does. Get involved with us.