Residents of Oakland, California are facing a tumultuous period characterized by a convergence of crime and backlash, as Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, currently amidst a recall initiative, recently had her residence searched by the FBI.
“In the film ‘The Perfect Storm,’ two storms intersected. This situation can be described as the perfect storm multiplied by three — it’s several crises occurring simultaneously,” stated Jim Ross, a Democratic political consultant from Oakland, in an interview with the Washington Post. “For the city, I can’t recall a more challenging time.”
Although the homicide rate in Oakland has decreased, the number of robberies and car thefts has surged dramatically, rising twofold and threefold respectively compared to figures prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report. The murder rate in Oakland remains above the national average.
Bishop Bob Jackson remarked to the Post that lawlessness in Oakland is at an unprecedented level and emphasized, “We require divine intervention at this juncture.”
FBI RAIDS HOME ASSOCIATED WITH OAKLAND MAYOR SHENG THAO THE DAY AFTER RECALL EFFORT IS APPROVED FOR BALLOT
FBI agents depart in their unmarked vehicles following a raid at a property linked to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
“I believe we require a completely fresh set of leaders for the city, from top to bottom,” Jackson expressed. “We need a new city council, a new mayor — entirely new, new, new.”
Additionally, Oakland has been dealing with significant homelessness issues and soaring housing costs, as the movement to recall Thao has successfully gathered enough signatures to appear on the November ballot.
Shortly after the recall campaign advanced to the November ballot, the FBI executed a search at her residence. Following this, Thao’s attorney resigned unexpectedly, and her chief press officer stepped down as well.
“The truth is there’s a leadership vacuum at this moment,” Justin Berton, former communications director for ex-Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, stated to the Washington Post. “As citizens, we’re not being informed by anyone. It creates an unsettling atmosphere throughout the city where no one appears to be in control.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Thao’s office for a statement but has yet to receive a response.
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Residents in Oakland, California are encountering a “perfect storm” of scandal and crime, as Mayor Sheng Thao, facing a recall effort, sees the FBI raid her home. (Left: (Photo by Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images), Right: (Photo by Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images))
Retired Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, who led the recall effort against Thao, asserted to local media that Thao has “blood on her hands” amidst rising crimes such as grand theft auto and street robberies.
“Businesses weren’t leaving Oakland at this rate before her tenure began,” Harbin-Forte commented to a local ABC station in January.
Following the FBI’s raid on one of her properties, Thao firmly denied any involvement in wrongdoing.
“Mayor Thao is prepared to fully cooperate with federal investigators. She has nothing to conceal,” averred her attorney, Tony Brass.
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Fox News’ Joshua Nelson contributed to this report.
