Over 2 dozen seniors in Oakland robbed and attacked in just one week

(Source)

Nearly 30 Asian seniors living in an Oakland neighborhood were brutally robbed and attacked in just one week, significantly more than the 13 reported cases, Sister Marie Taylor, president of the Westlake Christian Terrace Resident Council, told ABC7. Oakland police said they received 83 robbery reports between June 25 and July 1, adding that there was no particular reason for the increase in the city.

• Attacks on seniors: “They not only grab their purse, but also beat them brutally. Several had to be taken to the emergency room, one broke his wrist. The police were here for almost seven hours and filed reports. Then on Sunday it continued. Several residents were attacked,” said Taylor. About 700 seniors, an average age of 85, live in the block of 28th Street north of Lake Merritt, where the Westlake Christian Terrace nursing facility is located.

• Community response: Oakland police and command Capt. Lisa Ausmus said the alerts have made a difference in cases, noting that they “haven’t had a robbery in two days” after deploying a team following Taylor’s alert. Authorities also advised older residents to travel in larger groups when going out during the day. The increase in robberies targeting Oakland’s Asian senior community prompted over 50 residents to organize a gathering Wednesday to support one another.

Download the NextShark app:

Want to stay up to date with news from the Asian community? Download the NextShark app today!