Oakland Mayor Mourns Community Coach After Campus Shooting

Recently, Oakland’s new mayor comforted the family and friends of a popular community college coach who was tragically shot on campus.

The day after this visit, Barbara Lee engaged in an hour-long discussion with The Associated Press at her office in downtown Oakland.

Lee, a seasoned state and federal politician who has only been in leadership for six months, talked about the city’s battle with violent crime, as well as its vibrant culture and strong sense of community.

As the interview was wrapping up, she received the distressing news she’d been fearing: John Beam, a 66-year-old football coach who impacted thousands of lives, succumbed to injuries sustained a day earlier from a shooting by a 27-year-old man, who reportedly struggles with mental health issues.

Lee’s expression changed, and she struggled to express her devastation.

Initially, all I could tell her was, “I’m heartbroken.”

Challenges with Local Crime and Federal Relations

Coach Beam, who appeared in the Netflix series “Last Chance U,” was shot during lunchtime at Laney College’s athletic fields. A 27-year-old man faces murder and weapon charges connected to the incident.

At 79, Lee finds herself not representing a faraway district but living through the daily realities of a liberal city facing challenges, particularly during the Trump administration.

Within just two days, the Associated Press reported on how Lee and other community leaders wrestle with their dual identities as supporters of Oakland and advocates for crime reduction.

Crime rates in Oakland are significantly above the national average, and there’s anxiety about potential federal intervention akin to what has occurred in cities like Washington and Chicago.

Many of these cities, like Oakland, are led by Black mayors with Black leadership.

Lee asserted that federal actions tend to deepen racial divides and favor some Americans over others.

“We must not allow Donald Trump to sow discord and divide us,” she emphasized. Lee, who has held a congressional seat since 1998 until last year, stated, “We must resist any attempts to bring troops into our city.”

In August, President Trump remarked that cities like Oakland and Baltimore were “so far away…I don’t even mention them anymore.”

Last month, he halted plans to deploy federal troops to the Bay Area following talks with San Francisco leaders and tech executives.

The White House has previously dismissed the notion that rising crime in urban centers is linked to racial issues.

However, Lee believes the Trump administration is clear about who they support and who they do not, indicating readiness to peacefully stand against federal authorities if they come to Oakland, which has a population of around 436,000. She argued that their presence is meant to “create chaos.”

“We cannot respond with violence,” she observed. “That would only play into Trump’s tactics.”

Tensions with Washington Persist

Trump didn’t specifically address sending troops to Oakland, and White House officials avoided commenting on internal discussions.

Will Ash, a long-time resident from a predominantly Black neighborhood, remarked it’s too soon to determine if Lee can truly initiate a positive change in Oakland.

“Only time will tell,” he said. “We certainly hope she can.”

According to police data, from 1996 to 2020, Oakland’s homicide rate fluctuated between 16.2 and 36.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, starkly higher than the national average of about 5 per 100,000.

Yet, Oakland reported a 32% drop in homicides from 2023 to 2024, and violent crime decreased by 19%.

Lee credits the city’s Office of Violence Prevention, established in 2017, for this reduction in crime. Holly Joshi, who became police chief in 2023, explained that officers act as “violence disruptors” working to mediate conflicts within the community.

It’s positive news that crime is declining, but Tignish Hollins, from Californians for Safety and Justice, highlighted the true measure is how residents feel about safety.

A City Evolving Through History

Oakland has a rich history as a hub for Black culture, where many sought refuge from the Jim Crow South during the postwar boom, enabling them to acquire homes, jobs, and further education.

“Many communities were uprooted to come here,” noted Paul Cobb, publisher of the Oakland Post, a historically Black newspaper.

The activism of the era, particularly in the 1960s, was profound.

The Black Panther Party, founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, pushed for social initiatives, including free breakfast programs for children, although its legacy is often marred by its conflicts with law enforcement.

“There’s a lot of misunderstanding regarding the Black Panther Party,” Lee reflected, drawing connections between past and present.

Today, Oakland is composed of about 30% Hispanic, 27% white, 19% Black, and 16% Asian residents, with many embracing the city’s diversity. Outdoor activities and unique dining options contribute to its appeal, including a Native American restaurant and a recognized Korean tofu shop.

Crime May Be Down, but Economic Challenges Persist

Despite declining crime rates, economic stability remains elusive for many businesses. Notably, In-N-Out Burger shuttered its only Oakland location last year, while Ayesha Curry closed her boutique earlier this year.

Additionally, the city has lost its professional football and baseball teams to Las Vegas, and the Warriors moved to San Francisco in 2019.

Lee is committed to attracting investments across various sectors, including technology and historically Black colleges. A developer with ties to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group is looking to acquire the Oakland Coliseum for $125 million, and plans for a new campus serving 2,500 students have been announced.

“I was a cheerleader in school, so I guess I’m an Oakland cheerleader,” she quipped.

But would she welcome Trump to tour her city’s vibrant areas?

“No, thanks,” Lee replied. “I’d rather he focus on priority issues like healthcare, housing, and economic development. Those should be the goals of his administration.”