Could An Expert Solve Oakland's Crime Problem?

Politicians and cops in Oakland like to say that you can’t arrest your way out of a crime wave. Now city officials want to see if they can buy their way out by paying a celebrity lawman $250,000 to “develop and help implement a comprehensive short-term crime reduction strategy and long-term Citywide and community crime reduction strategy and safety plan.”

If the city council goes along with her plan, Mayor Jean Quan will hire William Bratton, the former top cop in both Los Angeles and New York City, to craft a crime-fighting plan for Oakland, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The proposal, under discussion by the council on Jan. 15, calls for Bratton to meet with Oaklanders:

“The success of this crime reduction strategy will largely be dependent upon the involvement of the community in the true spirit of Community Policing. OPD Command staff, Mr. Wasserman, and Chief Bratton will be conducting a series of community meetings to engage and seek the community's support in reducing crime. Additionally, the Department's deployment strategy will incorporate the community's needs, concerns, and ideas in its crime reduction plan.” 

What do you think Bratton should know about crime in Oakland? Do you think Oakland’s crime problem could yield to Bratton’s expertise?

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