Urgent Call for Action After Surge in Attacks on Senior Citizens in Oakland

Worried asian senior man

In just one week, a deeply troubling wave of violence has swept through an Oakland community, leaving many of its most vulnerable residents in a state of fear and anger. Reports have emerged from Westlake Christian Terrace, a senior living facility, that at least 13 elderly individuals have been brutally attacked and robbed. However, those inside the community suggest the actual number could be as high as 30, indicating a crisis that demands immediate and effective responses.

The residents of this community, primarily elderly Asian citizens with an average age of 85, are typically seen walking to nearby shops for groceries and errands. Yet, what should be routine outings have turned into terrifying ordeals. Sister Marie Taylor, president of the Westlake Christian Terrace resident council, shared harrowing details of the assaults. “It was happening every hour on the hour,” she recounted. “Not only were purses snatched, but our people were brutally beaten. We’ve had several rushed to emergency services, with injuries as severe as broken wrists.”

The distress doesn’t end with physical injuries. The psychological impact of these incidents is profound, affecting both the victims and the wider community. Ling Shang, a local resident, described the confusion and fear experienced by one victim, a senior with Alzheimer’s, unable to fully grasp the horror of her assault. “This is disgusting,” she said, expressing a sentiment felt widely across the community.

In response to these egregious acts, more than 50 residents rallied together to support one another and demand action from local authorities. Their message was clear and forceful, as Sister Marie stated, “This is serious and needs to be addressed most aggressively.”

The Oakland Police Department has responded to these urgent calls for help. Captain Lisa Ausmus noted that a number of arrests had been made, which were significantly aided by the community’s proactive efforts in reporting the crimes. “We’ve deployed special resource sections and crime reduction teams to the area, and I’m pleased to report that we haven’t had any robberies in the past two days,” she commented.

Lonely old senior Asian woman, sitting alone in the room, looking through the window

Despite these efforts, the sense of security has yet to be fully restored. Kitty Pang, a caregiver at the facility, shared her own traumatic experience of being groped, beaten, and robbed while assisting residents. The physical scars were evident, but it was her voiced fear of the night that truly underscored the ongoing emotional toll: “Me very scared, very upset… nighttime no sleeping, scared.”

The community, however, is resilient. They have vowed to stand together, with Sister Marie emphasizing their right to safety and recognition: “We are here, we are paying taxes, we vote, and we need to be recognized.”

The increase in robberies isn’t isolated to just their neighborhood. Oakland Police reported a citywide spike, with 83 robberies occurring between June 25th and July 1st. They’ve advised seniors to walk in larger groups and only during daytime hours, simple precautions that reflect a stark shift in daily life due to the surge in local crime.

As this community stands in solidarity, their plight is a stark reminder of the challenges facing our society’s elders. It calls into question the measures in place to protect them and the actions needed to prevent such tragedies in the future. The situation in Oakland is a critical reminder of the importance of community vigilance, timely reporting, and responsive policing to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens, especially the most susceptible to harm.