Oakland Sideshows Go Regional

A West Sacramento youth who drove to Oakland so that he could participate in sideshows was critically wounded. Two people with him were also shot. The news brought home that Oakland sideshows are a regional attraction to thrill-seekers, punks, thugs, and gangbangers. (Oakland Tribune, Sept. 11, 2006)
 
The city council's criminal neglect of police understaffing is feeding on itself. Sideshow participants come to Oakland because Oakland is out of control. Oakland has half a police department. For years the city council has done nothing to increase staffing. The council's last phony action was a resolution this past Spring to add 100 officers by Jan. 31, 2007. Everyone knew at the time it was just words. At least councilmember Larry Reid admitted, "It ain't gonna happen." (Oakland Tribune, Mar. 22, 2006)
 
Instead of getting tough on mass disruptions, the council sends the message that maybe sideshows are legitimate. That is the attitude behind giving Youth UpRising a $1.5 million grant of Measure Y money at the same time that the agency promotes "hyphy," the culture of celebrating sideshows. Indeed, the web page of Youth UpRising almost anticipated the regional attraction of sideshows. The description for its "Turf Dancing" class proclaimed, "Turf Dancing is Oakland's unique form of dance, and is about to take the nation by storm."
 
Except the rest of the nation is not welcoming sideshows. The rest of the nation just sends those who must disrupt and disrespect down to Oakland.