In a bold move reflecting the growing frustration within the community, the Oakland Police Officers’ Association (OPOA) has called for Mayor Sheng Thao to step down immediately, citing her failure to address the city’s escalating crime crisis and the severe lack of resources available to law enforcement. This demand comes on the heels of several violent incidents that have left residents feeling increasingly unsafe and unprotected.
Huy Nguyen, the OPOA president, voiced the union’s concerns at a recent press conference, stating unequivocally that Mayor Thao’s leadership has been ineffective in managing the city’s critical issues. “Every day, our citizens feel the tragedies. They cannot exit their own home or walk the streets of Oakland, calling 911 and not getting the services they need,” Nguyen said, emphasizing the dire situation that Oakland’s residents face.
Nguyen pointed to a multitude of failures under Thao’s administration, including the inability to adequately address the city’s crime wave, a budget crisis that has crippled essential services, and distractions like the recent FBI raid, which have further hampered the city’s ability to function effectively. These issues, Nguyen argued, have left the police force overwhelmed and understaffed, unable to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. “We don’t have the resources,” he lamented.
The union’s call for Thao’s resignation is a direct challenge to her leadership, which they argue has prioritized politics over public safety. Thao, in a video statement, attempted to counter these claims by asserting that crime in Oakland has actually declined and that her administration has made significant investments in public safety. She accused the police union of playing politics, a charge that rings hollow for many who see the real-world impact of her policies.
Despite Thao’s assurances that her budget has saved 80 police jobs and funded new police academies, the OPOA maintains that these efforts are insufficient given the scale of the city’s problems. Tim Dolan, the OPOA vice president, underscored the need for more substantial action, stating, “This is a time to invest more in the city, hire more police officers, retain the police officers, and fix the crime issue. And going forward, that’s what we’d like to see from the next mayor.”
The union’s call for Thao’s resignation comes at a time when Oakland is reeling from a series of violent incidents, including multiple shootings that have left several people wounded. The situation has become so untenable that a recall effort against Thao is already in motion, but the OPOA argues that the mayor should step down now to save the city the time and resources that a drawn-out recall process would require.
“If she resigns by this week, the election will take place in November, versus waiting through the recall,” Nguyen noted. “Then it will happen in April, and the process drags out longer when we need to work into the new budget immediately.”
As crime continues to plague Oakland, the police union’s demand for Thao’s resignation highlights the urgent need for a change in leadership. The safety and well-being of the city’s residents must come first, and according to the OPOA, that will require new leadership committed to providing the resources necessary to restore order and security.
