Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee leads response to campus shooting and rising crime, prioritizing local solutions over federal intervention.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a former U.S. Congresswoman, is leading the city through a surge in violent crime, including the fatal shooting of beloved football coach John Beam on Laney College’s campus. The 27-year-old suspect, with a history of mental health issues, has been charged. Lee, emphasizing community-led solutions, opposes potential federal intervention, warning it could deepen racial divisions. Despite a 32% drop in homicides and 19% decline in violent crime from 2023 to 2024, Oakland’s rates remain far above the national average. She credits the city’s Department of Violence Prevention, which employs former offenders as violence interrupters, for progress. Lee, a longtime advocate for racial justice, remains committed to protecting Oakland’s autonomy and resilience.