OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Attendees at Oakland’s First Friday may notice a heavier police presence at this week’s event. This is in response to several violent incidents that have plagued the free monthly street festival recently.

According to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, the city is rolling out a new coordinated safety initiative Friday and Saturday nights on Telegraph Avenue at Broadway.

“Violence is not an option in the City of Oakland,” Mayor Lee said.

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The Oakland City Administrator’s Office says the Oakland Fire Department and code enforcement will target non-violent issues, like helping the unhoused population.

“Our transportation department will continue parking enforcement and tow enforcement,” said Michelle Phillips, assistant city manager.

The Oakland Police Department said it is getting additional help on the ground from the California Highway Patrol and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, which will focus on the Broadway corridor.

“What does that mean? It means that if they’re focusing on Broadway, OPD can focus on Telegraph,” said James Beere, interim Oakland police chief.

Beere said police will not tolerate drivers under the influence and that the city will crack down on illegal vendors selling drugs and alcohol.

“We will be standing side by side with the sisters and brothers from the Oakland Fire Department to do inspections on businesses and as well as some of the clubs that we do know we have issues with,” said Beere.

Oakland’s First Fridays is a free monthly event that’s been going on for 13 years. However, several violent incidents, that have mostly occurred after the event has ended, has led to a number of sponsors dropping the event.

In May, a car rammed through a nearby crowd of people, leaving seven injured. In March, two people were killed after a shooting at a nearby bar.

“We’re not going to tolerate violence in our downtown districts during, after… whenever,” said Mayor Lee.

The city says the new strategy will remain in place indefinitely.

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