A Man Put A Buddha Statue In A High-Crime Neighborhood. What Happened Next Is Nothing Short Of Stunning
October 2, 2014
A small gesture from a non-religious Oakland man has brought a surprisingly big impact to a high-crime neighborhood.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle / SFGATE.com
The Eastlake neighborhood resident was simply feeling hopeful when he went to an Ace hardware store, purchased a 2-foot tall Buddha statue and placed it on a median strip in a residential area.
What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. Area residents began to leave offerings at the base of the Buddha including flowers, food, and candles. A group of Vietnamese women in prayer robes began to gather at the statue to pray.
The neighborhood completely changed. People stopped littering and vandalizing. The drug dealers stopped dealing in the neighborhood. Since 2012, crime dropped 82%. Robbery reports went from 14 to 3, burglaries were halved, aggravated assaults, narcotics and prostitution completely vanished.
Source: SFGate
Dogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious
She Came To America With Almost Nothing — Now Her Diner Draws Crowds From Across The Country
A Woman Stepped Up When A Little Boy’s World Was Turned Upside Down
Man Visits Google Maps Pin Labeled 'Friendly Black Cat' And Finds Exactly What It Promised
Neighbor Steps In To Give Boy Without A Dad A Birthday To Remember
Sleepy Owl Discovered Resting On Shelf Inside New York Antique Store
This ‘Sloth-Like’ Lab Failed Guide Dog Training — And Found His True Calling
She Secretly Left Outfits For An Elderly Couple's Porch Goose… Then A Package Arrived That Left Her In Tears
Giant Sea Serpent Appears On Cabo Beach
Every Night I Watch My Neighbor's Dog Go Upstairs To Bed Like This
Viral Video Shows Mom’s Priceless Reaction When ‘Airbnb’ Turns Out To Be Daughter’s Home
