Oakland residents woke up this morning to find out that three more homicides occured over the weekend, bringing the total to 81. Last year, Oakland saw 94 homicides for the entire year. If the killing occurs at the rate thus far for the year, the city will see its homicide rate almost double.
One of the killings was particularly tragic. According to the SF Chronicle, 18-year-old Anthony Butler, a Skyline High School student, was shot on Saturday afternoon. Apparently, two years ago, Butler’s older brother, Harold Butler Jr., was shot and killed at age 17 at an East Oakland liquor store in a neighborhood feud.
So, where’s Jerry Brown as the killings continue in his city? Will Californians promote the mayor of one of the state’s most dangerous cities to the job of the state’s top cop? One can only hope that Brown’s current job performance actually matters to the voter’s of this state.