Parents and city officials told the I-Team for our sister station, ABC7 News, that young women, some police believe may be trafficked, are walking outside St. Anthony's K-8 grade school in East Oakland at all hours of the day. Rosa Vargas sees it every day as she drops off her daughter. Vargas called the Oakland Police Department as she picked up her daughter from school requesting officers come by to check the area. Just outside her window, a young girl in black stilettos was seen walking across the street from the school.
It's not OK. Vargas says the women are scantily dressed or in some cases, even naked. The I-Team captured videos outside the school gate on four different dates over the past couple weeks showing young women wearing barely any clothing walking along the school sidewalk, the street corners, or directly across from the school.
All of the videos were captured as children were being dropped off or walked into school. But, one video captured on Monday - the start of Catholic school's week - represents the dichotomy of the problem. A mom was walking with her daughter across the street, as at least one woman appeared to be soliciting right in front of the school gate.
Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo says the problem is getting so bad neighbors are calling him every week complaining they can't get into their home. Gallo I can't get into my home because the pimp is blocking my driveway,'" said Gallo. On the street, it's a sad reality. ABC7 News drove with Gallo around the area. Young girls are walking in the middle of the street, peaking into cars, and crowding the street corners.
The problem has plagued the surrounding area for decades, but after recent construction, the women have moved into residential neighborhoods. Anthony's Parish has been part of the East Oakland community for more than years. Stephanie : "A safe sacred place What is the school doing to address the problem? Pierre-Antoine : "We have to be advocate for justice, we have to stand against what's wrong, work in collaboration with our agency partners. Stephanie : "Is OPD patrolling every day?
