I live on acreage outside city limits and have had to dispatch the occasional varmint. However, I would not suggest a firearm (or airgun) in a city environment

I live on acreage outside city limits and have had to dispatch the occasional varmint. However, I would not suggest a firearm (or airgun) in a city environment, especially not one like Oakland, where intent may be hard to judge by authorities, and local ordinances might land one in legal jeopardy. My suggestion in this scenario would be to purchase a Havahart live trap. Bait it with a little canned tuna fish or peanut butter. Catch the offending critter and call the local animal control agency. They will come out and take care of it for you. In some cases animal control will lend you a trap if you have an ongoing problem.