June 20th 2024.
A family from Florida has made the difficult decision to withdraw their son from a university in Oakland, California after a traumatic experience. During their stay, their rental car was broken into by thieves and their belongings were stolen, including important documents and a large sum of money amounting to $3,000. This unfortunate incident has caused the family to reassess their plans for their son's future.
The young man in question, Rhomel Crossman, had been eagerly looking forward to joining the football team at Lincoln University as a defensive tackle. However, the family's arrival in Oakland on Saturday quickly took a turn for the worse. At approximately 6:15 p.m., they parked their rented Nissan Rogue on the corner of 15th and Franklin, just one block away from the university. After stopping at a nearby Jamaican restaurant for some food, they returned to find their car's windows smashed and their suitcases missing. Along with their clothes, the thieves also took important documents such as passports, social security cards, Crossman's birth certificate, high school diploma, and even a sleep apnea machine. According to the family, a witness saw masked men driving in a car without license plates.
In an interview with KTVU News, Crossman's mother, Nerrisa Murray Watson, expressed her shock at the incident, saying "I didn't know that these things happen in America, so it's really strange to me." She went on to explain that the city of San Francisco has been nicknamed "Bip City" due to the rising trend of smash-and-grab robberies, where thieves use small hammers to break car windows with minimal effort. In fact, Oakland has seen a concerning 32% increase in these types of robberies since last year, as reported by The San Francisco Standard.
The family tried to report the incident by calling 911 three times, but were told they needed to go to a police station to file a report. This only added to their frustration, with Murray Watson referring to Oakland as a "lawless" city and expressing concern for her son's safety. She even made the decision to bring him back to Florida, stating "I have to bring my son to Florida because it's not safe here."
KTVU News reached out to the University for a statement, but did not receive a response. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that lurk in certain areas and how it can affect not only tourists, but also students pursuing their dreams. Just recently, Michigan Governor spoke at the funeral of MSU student, Arielle Anderson, who tragically lost her life due to a robbery. She was described as being "robbed" of her future. It is a sobering reminder that we must all work towards creating safer communities for everyone.
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