Oakland police chief blames policies, lenient courts for skyrocketing crimes

Specifically, Armstrong targeted bail reforms in his state and city that put hardened and often violent criminals back on the streets soon after being arrested, which often gives them further opportunities to commit crimes.

"We are impacted the [most out of] any city in Alameda County when it comes to people being released back into our community on bail to commit crimes again," he told the media during an interview, continuing to state that, at this time, "The scales of justice are imbalanced."

"We have been so focused on trying to provide support and resources for those who have committed crimes that we've lost sight of those who have been victimized," Armstrong went on.

He then indicated that he is working closely with local judges and they are working on the issue, but he feels that things need to move faster.

Video shows repeated gunshots being fired in East Oakland. Some seventy round go off eventually, with local media reporting one person injured during the incident.

The suspect who was picked up for the shooting had been released on parole recently and was legally prohibited from owning, much less carrying, any firearms.

The Bay Area, since the start of the pandemic, has seen crime skyrocket, especially incidents like homicides and violent robberies.

One East Oakland man, Bruce Vuong, said he has never seen his neighborhood this bad, and he has been a resident since 1986. He went on to tell the media about being robbed at gunpoint, having his home broken into, and foiling another potential robbery because he was armed himself.