Oakland, California

Founded in 1852 and located in California's East Bay, Oakland is one of several cities incorporated in Alameda County. From the beginning, Oakland has been the dominant city in the area, serving as the county seat since 1873. With a police department established in 1853, crime in early Oakland was not a major issue; though influenced by the leavings of California gold rush lawlessness, Oakland in its formative years was not atypically criminal. Despite a decrease in felony arrests in the latter part of the 19th century, the size of ...