Embattled California Mayor paints rosy picture of misgoverned, lawless, nearly bankrupt city

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao delivered her State of the City address Tuesday night, focusing on crime reduction, public safety, and the city’s budget challenges amidst a turbulent year. Thao highlighted a decline in crime rates, crediting the implementation of a ceasefire strategy and the installation of over 200 Flock cameras across Oakland. She also announced her plans to launch a first responder drone program aimed at improving emergency response times.

Despite these efforts, Thao faces criticism as the city grapples with a multi-million dollar budget shortfall. The mayor expressed optimism about the potential sale of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to alleviate the crisis, though skeptics question the details and timeline of the sale. With just three weeks left before a recall vote, Thao’s supporters and opponents are rallying around her performance and the city’s future.

Despite these efforts, Thao faces criticism as the city grapples with a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.Photo byCity of Oakland