<< Lots of people on the other side of the hills (Concord, Moraga, Walnut Creek) have this idea that Oakland is a really scary place. I think it's partly racial (because of the higher percentage of African Americans here) and partly a PR issue (the 24/7 news cycle only presents sensational items) >> Lots of people have the idea that there is a lot of violent crime in Oakland because, well, there is a lot of violent crime in Oakland. No need to bring race into it.