NBA All-Star weekend prompts Oakland to clean up problem areas

With the NBA All-Star weekend just a few days away, the cities of San Francisco and Oakland are getting ready for the festivities.
In Oakland, the city has been working with community groups to clean up the Hegenberger corridor near the Coliseum, plus the Oakland Police Department is stepping up security in the area.
Driving along the Hegenberger corridor in East Oakland near the Coliseum, it's obvious there is an effort underway to put the city's best foot forward.
"When I am driving, I do see that the streets are kind of clearer, even with the, they had a whole bunch of trailers and stuff like that, like I can see that they are making a difference," said Michelle Beacham.
She was born and raised in Oakland and still lives in the east part of town. She also works at an office only a few blocks from the Coliseum.
She said she's frustrated it took the NBA All-Star weekend for the city to address some of the issues residents have been complaining about for years.
"You guys want to clean it up because people are coming here now for an event to bring money, but what about us, the people who live here every single day? Those people are going to be here for the weekend then go home while we're stuck with it. It's going to go back to how it was," she said.
The city, along with community partners like AASEG, the ownership group trying to buy the Coliseum property, as well as PG&E and some local motorcycle clubs have organized clean-ups to pick up trash in the area. The city has also fixed dozens of broken streetlights in the area and the Oakland Police Department will have a greater presence in the area.
"That is one of the strategies we want to put in place is to have enough officers out there so people not only feel safe, but they see the presence of law enforcement and know they can't come in and commit frivolous crime in the city throughout these events," said Deputy Chief Casey Johnson of OPD.
Oakland Police along with the Alameda County Sheriffs, BART PD and CHP will have additional staff in the Coliseum area as well as downtown as well as areas historically known for sideshow gatherings.
"There will be traffic enforcement in areas where we see bad actors. People, we're not going to be specific for sideshows, but we will be specific for people who are speeding or running stop signs or engaging in a sideshow," said Assistant Chief James Beere.
Residents like Michelle say they just wish this kind of engagement could happen year-round and not just during special events.
"People are scared to come here, like Oakland has such a bad reputation now and we are such a beautiful city and it's just unfortunate," she said.
Community groups are hosting another cleanup session along the corridor Thursday morning from 9 to noon ahead of the celebrity game on Friday, and the HBCU Classic on Saturday.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

an hour ago

DeGrom pitches 6 strong innings, Seager snaps homer drought in Rangers' 6-2 victory over Pirates

PITTSBURGH -- Jacob deGrom struck out seven in six strong innings, Corey Seager hit his first home run since May 10 and the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Friday night. DeGrom (7-2) retired the first 11 batters and allowed two runs and five hits in six innings with one walk. One day after his 37th birthday, the two-time Cy Young Award winner extended his franchise record to 12 consecutive starts of allowing two runs or fewer and five hits or fewer. After being injured for most of the past four seasons, deGrom is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four June starts. Seager homered with one out in the fifth inning off rookie Mike Burrows (1-2), a drive to right field to increase the Rangers' lead to 4-2. The five-time All-Star shortstop had gone 81 plate appearances without a home run while also being on the injured list from May 11-27 with a strained right hamstring. Burrows lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Texas' Adolis Garcia had three hits — including a double and his ninth homer — and two RBIs while making two outstanding diving catches in right field. Marcus Semien went 2 for 5 for the Rangers and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Pirates' Joey Bart had three hits. Rangers first baseman Jake Burger left the game in the seventh inning with left-side tightness. Center fielder Wyatt Langford sat out because of back spasms. The Pirates closed to 3-2 with two runs in the fourth inning, but deGrom caught Alexander Canario looking with the bases loaded to end the threat. DeGrom made his 15th start, his most in a season since also starting 15 times for the New York Mets in 2021. ___

Hamilton Spectator

2 hours ago

• Hamilton Spectator

DeGrom pitches 6 strong innings, Seager snaps homer drought in Rangers' 6-2 victory over Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out seven in six strong innings, Corey Seager hit his first home run since May 10 and the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Friday night. DeGrom (7-2) retired the first 11 batters and allowed two runs and five hits in six innings with one walk. One day after his 37th birthday, the two-time Cy Young Award winner extended his franchise record to 12 consecutive starts of allowing two runs or fewer and five hits or fewer. After being injured for most of the past four seasons, deGrom is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four June starts. Seager homered with one out in the fifth inning off rookie Mike Burrows (1-2), a drive to right field to increase the Rangers' lead to 4-2. The five-time All-Star shortstop had gone 81 plate appearances without a home run while also being on the injured list from May 11-27 with a strained right hamstring. Burrows lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Texas' Adolis Garcia had three hits — including a double and his ninth homer — and two RBIs while making two outstanding diving catches in right field. Marcus Semien went 2 for 5 for the Rangers and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Pirates' Joey Bart had three hits. Rangers first baseman Jake Burger left the game in the seventh inning with left-side tightness. Center fielder Wyatt Langford sat out because of back spasms. Key moment The Pirates closed to 3-2 with two runs in the fourth inning, but deGrom caught Alexander Canario looking with the bases loaded to end the threat. Key stat DeGrom made his 15th start, his most in a season since also starting 15 times for the New York Mets in 2021. Up next On Saturday, rookie RHP Kumar Rocker (2-4, 7.31 ERA) will pitch for the Rangers against RHP Mitch Keller (1-9, 4.08). ___ AP MLB:

Fox Sports

2 hours ago

• Fox Sports

DeGrom pitches 6 strong innings, Seager snaps homer drought in Rangers' 6-2 victory over Pirates

Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out seven in six strong innings, Corey Seager hit his first home run since May 10 and the Texas Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 on Friday night. DeGrom (7-2) retired the first 11 batters and allowed two runs and five hits in six innings with one walk. One day after his 37th birthday, the two-time Cy Young Award winner extended his franchise record to 12 consecutive starts of allowing two runs or fewer and five hits or fewer. After being injured for most of the past four seasons, deGrom is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four June starts. Seager homered with one out in the fifth inning off rookie Mike Burrows (1-2), a drive to right field to increase the Rangers' lead to 4-2. The five-time All-Star shortstop had gone 81 plate appearances without a home run while also being on the injured list from May 11-27 with a strained right hamstring. Burrows lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Texas' Adolis Garcia had three hits — including a double and his ninth homer — and two RBIs while making two outstanding diving catches in right field. Marcus Semien went 2 for 5 for the Rangers and extended his hitting streak to 12 games. The Pirates' Joey Bart had three hits. Rangers first baseman Jake Burger left the game in the seventh inning with left-side tightness. Center fielder Wyatt Langford sat out because of back spasms. Key moment The Pirates closed to 3-2 with two runs in the fourth inning, but deGrom caught Alexander Canario looking with the bases loaded to end the threat. Key stat DeGrom made his 15th start, his most in a season since also starting 15 times for the New York Mets in 2021. Up next On Saturday, rookie RHP Kumar Rocker (2-4, 7.31 ERA) will pitch for the Rangers against RHP Mitch Keller (1-9, 4.08). ___ AP MLB: recommended