The People's Data - Oakland: Glossary
This glossary is designed to help Oakland residents, community members, and policymakers better understand the terms, acronyms, and local programs that appear in our public safety dashboards and reports. Many of these words—like Ceasefire, ShotSpotter, or sideshows—are specific to Oakland, while others, like YTD or Part I crimes, are standard in crime data reporting. By providing clear, plain-language definitions, the glossary makes it easier to navigate Oakland’s complex public safety landscape and to separate data from perception.
Glossary (Alphabetical)
Ceasefire
Oakland’s violence-reduction strategy, launched in 2012 and revitalized in 2023. Ceasefire focuses on individuals at the highest risk of involvement in shootings, combining direct communication, community support, and focused enforcement.
Department of Violence Prevention (DVP)
A City of Oakland agency created in 2017. The DVP coordinates community-based approaches to violence prevention, including street outreach, case management, and healing services. Funded in part by Measure NN.
Hot Spot Policing
A strategy that concentrates enforcement in geographic “hot spots” of crime. An Oakland audit in 2023 found this shift had undermined Ceasefire’s original focus on people, not places.
Measure NN
A parcel tax approved by Oakland voters in 2022. It provides sustainable funding for the DVP, Ceasefire, and other public safety initiatives.
Oakland Police Department (OPD)
The city’s law enforcement agency, which partners with the DVP, Ceasefire, and community stakeholders as part of Oakland’s systems-based approach to safety.
Part I Crimes
Serious offenses tracked under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting system. Includes homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Oakland uses Part I crimes to track citywide safety trends.
Part II Crimes
All other offenses reported in the UCR system, such as drug offenses, vandalism, and disorderly conduct. These provide context but are not the city’s main benchmark for safety trends.
Perception Gap
The disconnect between Oakland’s official crime data and how safe residents feel. Influenced by media coverage, neighborhood conditions, and social media narratives. (Learn More)
Response Time
The time it takes for police or first responders to arrive after a 911 call. Oakland tracks disparities in response times by neighborhood and by type of call.
ShotSpotter
A gunshot detection system used by OPD. Acoustic sensors triangulate the location of gunfire, producing weekly reports that help track firearm activity across neighborhoods.
Sideshows
An Oakland-born car culture phenomenon in which drivers perform stunts such as donuts and spins, often in intersections or large parking lots, while crowds gather to watch. Though considered part of Oakland’s street identity, sideshows are illegal and pose significant safety risks. They remain a recurring public safety and policing challenge.
Systems-Based Approach
Oakland’s public safety framework, which integrates law enforcement, public health, and prosecutorial strategies. Anchored by Ceasefire, the DVP, and partnerships with community organizations. (Learn More)
Violence Interruption
Community-based programs that deploy outreach workers to mediate conflicts and prevent retaliation before violence occurs. Often coordinated with the DVP.
Year over Year (YoY)
A comparison of data from the same period in two different years. Example: comparing YTD 2025 homicides to YTD 2024 homicides shows the YoY change.
Year to Date (YTD)
A cumulative total measured from January 1 of the current year through the most recent reporting date. Example: “YTD 2025 homicides” counts all homicides from January 1, 2025, to the present.