The interim Police Chief for the Oakland Police Department is confident that their new district system will help reduce crime.   City crime rates have spiked in recent years.   Burglaries and thefts are among the incidents that have been on the rise.

Chief Sean Whent said the Oakland PD is focused on identifying areas that are relative hotspots for criminal activity.  Once these areas are identified, officers will be better able to address them.

The department has recently undergone a massive revamp.  Outside consultants were brought in.  In addition, the Oakland Police Department has been divided into five districts.   This is a big change from the previous system, which only had two.   The new system places a captain and approximately 66 officers in each area.

This will allow offers to have smaller beats.  Whent hopes this will help increase community oriented policing efforts.  If residents are more comfortable approaching and talking to police officials they can assist with both solving crimes and preventing them.   He expects the city will see a significant reduction in crimes in the upcoming weeks and months.

The Mayor said he is excited at the city's efforts to build a new police department.   He also looks forward to Oakland Police Department officers developing relationships with the people they serve.   Crime rates have leveled off a bit since March, he said, but there is still a very long road ahead.

The new districts are reported to be as follows.

District 1:  Chinatown, parts of downtown, Uptown and Chinatown

District 2:  Rockridge, Temescal, Montclair and Oakland Hills

District 3:  Diamond, Laurel, Lakeshore and Eastlake

District 4:  West of 62nd Ave to Fruitvale Ave; parts of East Oakland

District 5:  South of 62nd Avenue to San Leandro

Oakand PD Captains said they will focus on reducing human trafficking, robberies, burglaries and other crimes against property.  They have also committed to increasing bike and foot patrols.