A retired judge has attacked Oakland Mayor Shen Thao, claiming she “ruined the city,” as the effort to oust the leader gathers pace.
The beleaguered city is experiencing widespread criminal activity and Thao recently missed a deadline to secure $15 million in state funding to help combat retail crime.
In addition, a large number of businesses have decided to close their doors and have still not been able to appoint a permanent police chief.
At a rally on Saturday afternoon in the California city calling for Thao’s resignation, retired judge Brenda Harbin-Forte criticized the mayor.
Speak with KVTUHarbin-Forte said, “People saying give her more time. More time to do what? She destroyed our city.”
At a rally on Saturday afternoon in the California city calling for Thao’s resignation, retired judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, seen here, criticized the mayor.
The former judge added: “She didn’t inherit all these problems. She’s caused some problems.’
Harbin-Forte is leading the petition to recall Thao as mayor, with those who want her dumped to collect 25,000 signatures by July.
With months remaining before the threshold amount needed to ensure Thao is forced to resign, it appears organizers are on track to surpass that number.
One organizer Seneca Scott told KVTU that the group already had 12,500 signatures, half the number needed.
Victory Baptist Church Pastor Marty Jenkins also told the outlet, “Look at the potholes. Look at homelessness. Look at the jobs. Look at the companies leaving Oakland.”
Edward Escobar of Citizens Unite added: “We are not getting the services we deserve everywhere, and crime is spreading.”
In a statement to KTVU about the meeting, Thao said, “My focus is on fighting for a safer, more affordable, and more prosperous Oakland.
“I ask Oaklanders to help me realize that vision with hope and cooperation, putting aside fear and division. Let’s bring our community together to fight for the city we love.”
The beleaguered city is experiencing widespread criminal activity and Thao, seen here, recently missed a deadline to secure $15 million in state funding to help combat retail crime
In September, the Newsom administration approved more than $267 million in grants to local police departments and district attorneys’ offices — which Thao did not use.
Oakland saw a 21 percent increase in violent crimes, a 38 percent increase in robberies and a 45 percent increase in vehicle thefts between 2021 and 2023, according to police data.
The city has also been rocked by a citywide crime wave for more than two years, with homicides up 80 percent in July 2023 compared to 2019, while assaults and robberies rose 40 and 20 percent respectively.
Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed 120 California Highway Patrol to Oakland and Alameda County to assist with a surge in thefts.
The increase has caused several area businesses to close, including a Denny’s that had been open for 54 years.
Newsom was also reportedly unhappy that Thao failed to attract state funding to combat retail crime.
Robert Harris of the Oakland NAACP told Local News Matters, “The governor brought that up once, twice, three times.
“He talked about the missed deadline, and about ten minutes later he said the same thing: ‘We made that available to you, but you didn’t file.’
An exclusive report for DailyMail.com revealed that Oakland potentially has the most dangerous square mile for crime in all of America.
Three gas stations and fast food restaurants around the Oakland Airport have become notorious for car thefts.
Police claim criminals strike within a square kilometer twelve or more times a day, mainly targeting victims on their way to and from the airport.
The city’s only In N Out Burger due to rising crime – the only restaurant the chain has ever closed in its history
The city’s only In N Out Burger also closed due to rising crime – the only restaurant the chain has ever closed in its history.
In August, a shocking video circulated showing a woman confronted by two men who tried to take her bag before pistol-whipping her.
She fell to the ground before both men searched her pockets.
A month earlier, the Oakland Police Department issued a public safety advisory citing an increase in home robberies.”
OPD urged residents to prune hedges and shrubs to “eliminate potential hiding places,” install home security systems and use outdoor lighting with motion sensors.
Thao said her office had since implemented new neighborhood strategies and was already seeing success.