City In Review: Chicago

Oakland · Then vs Now

Oakland: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

A side-by-side look at how Oakland shifted between two periods.

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 7 4 -43%
Construction value ($) $1,056,213 $42,851 -96%
New business licenses 0 0
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 119 99 -17%
Reported crimes 61 68 +11%
Violent crimes 20 20 0%
Failed food inspections 0 0

2025-03

Oakland permit value jumps to $1.06 million

Seven permits were issued in Oakland this March, totaling just over $1 million—up from $31,600 the month before. Five of those were express permits; one covered wrecking or demolition. Crime reports climbed 22 percent to 61, with violent offenses up from 12 to 20. Residents filed 119 service requests, down slightly from February's 124. Thirty-seven of those asked for tree trimming, though the city no longer accepts that category.

2026-03

Oakland permit value jumps to $42,851

Oakland pulled four permits worth $42,851 in March, up from $4,280 the month before. Three came through the express program. Crime ticked up 15%, with violent incidents rising from 15 to 20. Residents filed 99 service requests, same as February. Water-on-street complaints led with 13, followed by potholes at 12 and abandoned vehicles at 11. No new businesses opened and none closed.