In a joint effort to combat boat-riding thieves in the Oakland Harbor area, the Alameda Police Department (PD) has teamed up with the Oakland PD and the Coast Guard, according to Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi. The surge in burglaries targeting yachts and houseboats in the Oakland-Alameda Estuary has been likened to the pirate movie “Captain Phillips” by one resident. Thieves have been stealing valuable items from the boats before sinking the ships or dumping the remnants in the Oakland Harbor or along its shorelines. Dan Hill, an Alameda resident who lives on his boat, stated that each attack could cost boat owners thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

The situation has become increasingly complicated as jurisdictional issues and dwindling law enforcement staffing levels have left the tight-knit boating community feeling vulnerable. Some residents have even discussed arming themselves for protection. Hill described the Alameda side of the estuary as the most popular boating area in San Francisco Bay, known for its beautiful parks and protected waters. However, since summer, the estuary has been overrun by homeless encampments from Oakland, causing havoc for the residents.

Hill recounted a personal encounter with the harbor bandits after chasing them across the harbor in his dinghy. He mentioned that a friend had confronted a suspicious individual, who then fled in a stolen boat. Hill and his wife gave chase but were unable to catch up. It was later discovered that the stolen boat belonged to the Alameda Community Sailing Center, which had previously lost four boats. The center did not respond to Fox News Digital's inquiries.

Chief Joshi emphasized the importance of a regional approach to address the thefts. Since the Alameda PD lacks its own marine unit and has suffered a 30% reduction in police department staffing, they have partnered with the Oakland PD and the Coast Guard, which has a base in the Oakland-Alameda Estuary. Increased patrols and collaboration with the Oakland PD's marine unit aim to provide round-the-clock surveillance.

Alameda, with a population of just under 80,000, is an island city known for its suburban feel and highly-rated public schools. In contrast, neighboring Oakland has been grappling with a severe homeless crisis that has rendered the city “unlivable” according to a neighborhood advocate. Many residents believe the thieves are coming from Oakland, describing the transition from Alameda to Oakland as stepping into a third-world country.

The crackdown on boat thefts has yet to yield significant statistical results, but Chief Joshi mentioned a recent arrest on the Oakland side. There have been no arrests reported on the Alameda side, and the Oakland PD did not respond to requests for further information. Hill noted that while he hasn't personally witnessed increased patrols, the thefts seem to have subsided. However, it took months of persistent advocacy through municipal meetings, letters, and social media campaigns to get law enforcement involved. Hill expressed frustration with the initial lack of response from authorities.

As the Alameda PD, Oakland PD, and the Coast Guard continue their joint efforts to address the boat thefts, residents hope to regain a sense of security in their beloved boating community. The ultimate goal is to put an end to the plundering of boats and restore peace to the Oakland-Alameda Estuary.