On June 19th, 2013 the Oakland Police Department unveiled their "high visibility command post" (aka mobile surveillance unit) at two locations: 24th and Telegraph and Grand and Bellevue. (see nixle alert) The command post is intended to deter crime in hot spot areas. The Grand Lake area was chosen for recent thefts of smart phones and tablets. The mobile unit can see in 360 degrees for a 4 block radius (see KTVU report).
According to Lt. Chris Bolton, "It brings the police station out into the community," said Lt. Chris Bolton.
While some people are pleased about this development as a crime deterrence, others feel OPD has stepped into the role of unwanted surveillance.
photo of the command post from 2011. photo CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by Desmond Henderson
Recent Sitings/Announced Locations
- September 16, 2013: Area 2: 40/Broadway, College/Manila and Grand/Bellevue.
- Sept 16, 2013: 350 Grand Ave
- Aug 24, 2013: Merritt College, search for Daphne Webb
- Aug 23, 2013: Lakeside, Temescal, and Rockridge neighborhoods.
- Aug 20, 2013: College and Manila, 40th St and Ruby St
- July 23, 2013: Temescal, Grand
- June, 2013: Vigil for Alayasha, Dimond
News Coverage
- "Oakland offers preview of crime-fighting plan." KTVU, June 19, 2013.
- "Oakland Police Dept. Goes Mobile to Fight Crime." KGO810, June 20, 2013.
