OAKLAND—Oakland’s International Boulevard has witnessed an alarming spike in violent robberies involving Hispanic males, many of whom work in construction and other labor industries.
The increase has caused “Pay Day” to be re-dubbed “Mexican Friday,” as the district has suffered a 60-percent increase in robberies, most of which have occurred on the stretch of International Boulevard running from Fruitvale to High Street.
In response, several construction sites in East Oakland are calling for dramatic security increases, going as far as to arm guards with shotguns and other self-defense weapons.
