In recent months, bipping has taken over Oakland and surrounding areas, and now we may have an answer as to why this is allowed. Recently, Oakland Police Department’s Assistant Chief Tony Jones told Commissioners that by law, OPD had to let bippers go, even if they were caught in the act. Here, the commissioner asked, “The burglaries, car theft, breaking into cars, you’re describing those as misdemeanor crimes?” Responding to this, Jones said: “Well, there was a change in the law, prop 47. If we walk outside and catch someone breaking into a car with ID, we have to let them go. It used to be a felony, not anymore.”

This was one of the most embarrassing exchanges I've seen in this body, but I have no doubt that if Hsieh were not there with the current construct of the Commission, this would not have been clarified for the public, with attendant conclusions–OPD is not pursuing these crimes pic.twitter.com/Lnl8xnSRnE

— Trash Night Heron (@hyphy_republic) October 27, 2023

Based on this conversation, it makes you wonder exactly what the job of OPD is if they’re not arresting car thieves even when they catch them. Sadly, this gives a depressing insight into the rampant crime that has struck the city over the past year.

A bipper is a term used to refer to a car thief in the Bay Area. It’s essentially slang for someone who breaks into cars and steals items from inside. The term has become so commonplace in the area that it has become a part of mainstream culture and language. The rise of bipping has become a major issue for the city and its residents, as car break-ins and thefts have become increasingly common. It’s become a frustrating and unfortunately common part of life in Oakland and something that the city is actively trying to address.