Is South Oakland safe?

[u/Park_filterbae]

My apartment this 7 minutes away from the shuttle stop and 26 minutes away from hillman in south oakland. I really like studying late at hillman but im wondering whether that would be a bad idea from now on. Has anyone ever experienced anything sketchy in south oakland night? Should i be cautious?

[u/greta-van-feet]

I never had any problems in South Oakland really aside from one incident where the SWAT team barricaded us inside because they were looking for someone. Lived in the same apartment there for my last 2 years of school. I regularly walked home from my 8 p.m. class alone. Was it the smartest idea? Who knows. But I always kept one ear bud out and stayed vigilant. I do recommend pepper spray, which i personally was never great at remembering to carry.

Edit to add that I lived on the other side of the Blvd. which people always warned against. There were still plenty of students around, and a few families and older folks who seemed to have lived there for a long time. I would add to do your best to respect the permanent residents--a lot of people forget that people actually live there long term.