We could expand the academies, but it wouldn't have much effect because we aren't able to attract a sufficient number of candidates.

Homicides are 250 percent of what they were last year, and they were high last year, and the number of street robberies, most of them armed, is pretty alarming. I don't think that anyone can rationally look at that and say it's just a blip. This is as serious as the city is saying it is.

You don't feel you have a safe city if you've got these things going on. It seems every other day you're reading in the paper about a murder in Oakland. It doesn't imperil the average resident, but it does damage the perception of safety and the reputation of the Police Department, not to mention creating havoc in the lives of the families affected.

The high murder rate in Oakland has been one of the most disturbing trends.

Both Allison and Kate came on strong in consolation matches after playing tough first-round matches.

The animals would have had a painful death in shelters.