OAKL AND HOMICIDE RISK FACTORS For African American males between the ages of 15–34
African Americans make up only 35% of
Employment opportunities seem to be a strong
the population in Oakland, they represent
correlate of the homicides. Ensuring that young
77% of the homicide victims. The majority
adults in Oakland have sustainable economic
of deaths are males. The highest rate of
opportunities available to them, both during and
homicide was among 20 to 24 years old, a rate of 79.6 per 100,000. The next highest rates were among those 15 to 19 years (47.4 per 100,000) and 25 to 34 years (44.4 per 100,000). The majority of suspects, similar to victims, were African Americans
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after high school, is important. Homicides tended to occur in high–poverty areas. Those census tracts with the highest poverty rate in Oakland, more than 30% of individuals live in poverty, had the highest homicide rate, 54.2 per 100,000. As poverty lessens, the homicide rate lessens.
males(63%). The majority of the suspects were unemployed.
Proper nutrition isn’t accessible or in-
Persons of lower socioeconomic status,
troduced to African Americans. There is
as measured by education level or status
a liquor store on almost every block in
tend to be at higher risk for being a victim
Oakland. Oakland has also suffered the
of violence. The homicide rate for those
loss of major grocers, which effects the
25 years or more with more than a high
types of food available. The closing of
school education was 38.1 per 100,000.
these major supermarkets also result-
About 34% of victims 18 years or older
ed in the loss of many jobs. Which again
did not complete high school and 5% had
contributes to the violence that occurs.
less than a ninth grade education.
Drugs and alcohol also serve as a risk factor.
Firearms are a pervasive part of violence–the
The Oakland Police Department reports that
ease of access to firearms and availability to
at least 47.6% of the cases involved drugs in
perpetrators significantly increases the risk
someway. For 41.9% of the homicides, drug
of homicide. Compared to other mechanisms
involvement was unknown, and for 10.5%
such as blunt objects, firearm attacks are
there was no drug involvement. The selling
more likely to result in fatal outcomes for
of drugs is usually implemented when jobs
the victim. According to OPD data, 247 of the
and hope is scarce.
homicide victims were killed with firearms. At least 200 of the firearm deaths were attributable to handguns. At least 33 were attributable to assault rifles.
For 150 cases, current parole and probation
The death rate in Oakland was 25.6 per
information for the primary suspect was
100,000 in 2002–04, three times higher
available. Forty–eight percent were under the
than the county rate (average of 8.3 from
jurisdiction of criminal justice system: 20%
2001–03), and four times higher than the
were on parole at the time of the homicide,
state and national rates of 6.7 and 6.1, re-
24.7% were on probation, and 3.3% were on
spectively. The homicide rate for African
both. Identifying that at least one out of two
American males was 102.1 per 100,000.
suspects had a current history of criminal
Most of the homicides (60%) occurred on
activity and was currently on probation or
the street or in a vehicle on the street.
parole has major implications for prevention.
Most (41%) die at the scene of the incident.
It underlines the direct association between being on probation or parole and increased likelihood of being a perpetrator of homicides. The probation department also notes that parolees are at increased risk of being a victim of homicides once they get out of the system.
Source: Alameda County Violent Death Reporting System 2002–2004 Allati El Henson
Type 3
D.Asari
10.11.09
