Brutal Start to October Has Oakland PD Asking for Citizen Support

With five murders happening within Oakland city boundaries since Monday, the Oakland Police Department is quickly searching for new ways to try to quell the surge in violence.

On Wednesday, the department will start utilizing Tip Watch, a program that allows crime tips to be texted in anonymously, according to a message released Tuesday by the office of Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan.

“The Oakland Police Department stands with our community in the wake of the violence occurring overnight and throughout the day," the message read. "(W)e need community help and support for success (in public safety)... especially when it comes to providing information which may lead to a violent crime being solved."

Nixle, an online and mobile police reporting service, partnered with Oakland police to provide the new crime tip feature.

Citizens can sign up for Nixle alerts through the company's website.

*None of this month's murders happened in Rockridge. Should residents still be concerned? Tell us why, or why not, in comments.