Al-Sharif, 40, is one of more than 50 Iraqi refugees who have been moved to East Oakland by the International Rescue Committee. The nonprofit’s officials say they won’t settle refugees in unsafe neighborhoods, but Al-Sharif and dozens of other Iraqis blame the organization for exposing them to an unfamiliar type of violence - one perpetrated by gangs rather than political militants.

sfgate, 28.12.11.

I’ve heard good things about the IRC (International Rescue Committee).. but I guess non-profits + limited funds = below target outcome

and East Oakland needs a lot of work done to reduce crime..

It’s nearly impossible to be accepted as an Iraqi refugee to the United States, which means the ones who do make it almost certainly suffered horrendous trauma in their home country.

“They’ve survived, and they’ve come to the U.S. to start a new life, and if you settle them in an environment like that, you bring back all these things,” Abdulkhaleq said.

A thief who has (nearly) mastered the ability to remove large windows without breaking them has hit several bike shops and other businesses in the past week.

A total of six businesses (including three bike shops and one bike rack store) have been burglarized since November 1st by what police feel is the same criminal…

bikeportland, 08.11.11.

Problems in Portland??!

Police are warning residents to lock up their bikes — even inside their garages. A serial bike burglar is on the loose, having  taken a plethora of bicycles from Inner Sunset garages in six different incidents over the last few weeks…

The first incident was reported on Aug. 4 — someone had broken into a garage on the 1300 block of Sixth Avenue and stole a few bikes. The next evening, a resident living on the 1200 block of Second Avenue heard someone break into his garage and ransack it. The victim confronted the suspect, who then pulled a knife and threatened him. The robber made off with the victim’s bike. 

The following week, four more burglaries took place…

Anyone with information or to report a similar incident should call the police at (415) 553-0123.

sfweekly, 16.08.11.