Under legal pressure, Oakland police are unveiling two new programs they hope will help fight the spike in violent crime in the city.

Five men were shot to death in a 18-hour period Monday night and Tuesday in the city. At the same time, pressure is mounting on the police to account for recent shootings by police.
At a media conference Thursday, police announced a new anonymous text-message system to report crimes. “Anyone out on the street can pull out their phone and go as if they were sending a text message, to the number 888-777, and put in the words ‘tip OPD,'” said Travis Scott of Nixle, the company offering the technology.
Simultaneously the police commanders said they are launching “Operation Cease-fire,” a program that imposes tough penalties on gang leaders.
But East Oakland minister Bishop Bob Jackson said these initiatives are not enough.