Debate erupts in Oakland over National Guard intervention for crime control after 3 smash-and-grab thefts in one day

(KRON) — A group of Oakland residents is calling for the deployment of the National Guard to address crime in the city, while local leaders advocate for increased police presence.

The call for the National Guard comes after a burglary in Oakland’s Chinatown, with residents expressing concerns over insufficient police coverage and rising crime rates. This follows President Trump’s recent threat to deploy the National Guard to cities, including Oakland.

“This is liberation day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump said earlier this month.

Edward Escobar, founder of Citizens Unite, stated, “We are demanding that they declare a state of emergency and call in the California National Guard to save our streets.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee opposed the idea of bringing in the National Guard, saying, “Motives are fear-mongering and diversionary.”

Tuan Ngo, founder of Asians Unite, supported the call for intervention, saying, “Bring on CHP, bring on the county sheriff and bring on the National Guard. Oakland needs it. Oakland needs intervention.”

Brenda Grisham, an Oakland business owner, expressed mixed feelings, noting, “We have enough resources here where we should come together to make a difference.”

The discussion around deploying the National Guard has sparked debate among Oakland residents, with some supporting the move as necessary to curb crime, while others worry about the implications for civil liberties.

President Trump previously mentioned Oakland as a city potentially requiring National Guard intervention, citing concerns over losing control of cities.

Residents gathered in front of a Chinatown bank that was recently burglarized to voice their concerns and support for increased security measures.

While some residents are pushing for external intervention, others believe local resources should be sufficient to address the city’s crime issues.

Watch the full report from KRON4’s Dan Kerman in the video player above.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.