Filmgoer Says Held Hostage to Mayhem

A letter to the editor, Oakland Tribune, Aug. 4, 2005

On July 16, our family went to see the kick-off presentation of the Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema, "West Side Story." We were treated to a lovely interview with one of the film's stars, hills resident Rita Moreno.

There were hundreds of Oaklanders who turned out for this classic film of love and gang rivalry. So maybe it was ironically appropriate that the evening was plagued by the incessant roar of motorcycle gangs encircling the block, making it impossible to hear the film.

We all looked around in disbelief that we were allowed to be held hostage to this mayhem throughout the two-hour event. Several people were seen to be calling police on their cell phones, but alas, no OPD were in evidence. (Another irony – OPD headquarters is about three blocks away.) Seems the event staff hired a few private security guards who stood by helplessly.

This was a great initiative to get citizens to "meet downtown," as the current campaign beckons. But we will not be returning to the city-sponsored series until the city supports its citizens' right to peace and safety.

Ron Rifkin
Oakland

Comment: Sideshows are only the most blatant exhibition of a punk culture that dominates Oakland streets. Perhaps the most common act of disrespect is the stream of "boom cars" whose stereos pound bass not only into your ears but your stomach, driving you to tears inside your own home. In between the exceptional and the incessant, it appears, was the incident reported by Mr. Rifkin.

While the police department compiles crime statistics, there are no statistics for manifestations of the punk culture. What is not measured tends to remain socially invisible. We are left with one account after another of specific incidents. Thank you for speaking out, Ron Rifkin!