Gov. Newsom calls on Oakland to change its strict police chase policy – ​​NBC Bay Area

California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling on the city of Oakland to revise its decade-old police chase policy, which drastically reduces the number of chases.

Business owners at an Asian shopping mall on International Boulevard said they had had enough of crime.

“Mayor and police chief, please do something. Oakland is spiraling out of control,” said Oakland resident Jimmy.

Newsom is responding to these calls for help. Earlier this month, he sent California Highway Patrol reinforcements to Oakland, and now he’s calling on the city to allow its officers to pursue more suspects.

Oakland’s current pursuit policy only allows police to pursue suspects if they are known to possess a weapon or have committed a violent crime.

But Newsom said CHP officers who recently stepped in to assist with patrols in Oakland noticed that criminals often flee without fear because they know Oakland police will not pursue them.

In a letter to city leaders, Newsom wrote that this “has created an extreme danger to the public because criminals can get away with it. In addition, reckless driving associated with carnivals and other criminal activities poses a significant threat to public safety.”

Police expert Michael Leininger told NBC Bay Area that he agrees with Newsom.

“If the CHP comes forward and says it’s a problem and they don’t understand it, if the governor of California comes forward and says it’s a problem and we don’t understand why it’s so restrictive, it’s a problem, then make the change,” he said.

Mayor of Oakland says she also believes the policy needs to be reviewed

“We need to align our policies with those of other jurisdictions so we can keep our community safe,” she said.

The Oakland Police Officers Association released the following statement on Friday:

“The Oakland Police Officers Association appreciates Governor Newsom’s recognition of the challenging policies our members face that do not meet industry standards and hinder our ability to effectively serve our community.”

But not everyone agrees. Cat Brooks, co-founder of the Anti Police Terror Project, said more chases would mean the loss of more innocent lives.

“If you have these knee-jerk reactions and give them permission to do whatever they want to do in the moment, we’re going to see an increase in police violence, that’s what we’re going to see,” Brooks said.

The Police Commission plans to hold a public hearing later this month before presenting its recommendation to the City Council, likely in September.