Oakland businesses shut down due to crime strike.
Oakland Businesses Demand Increased Police Presence
OAN’s Abril Elfi
11:36 AM – Thursday, September 28, 2023
Over 200 businesses in Oakland, California, have participated in a one-day strike in hopes the city will place more police on the street due to rising crime rates.
Oakland businesses temporarily shut down on Tuesday afternoon to demand that city, county, and state leaders do more to safeguard small businesses and community residents from crime.
Sarah Ryan, the manager of a Mexican restaurant, told the press that the shut downs felt like another pandemic.
“It feels like another pandemic,” she said. “We’re calling for people to come in and visit our business so that we can stay in business. We are on a street that should be bustling all the time, and the foot traffic is just gone.”
On Tuesday morning, dozens of merchants and residents held a press conference outside Le Cheval, an Old Oakland Vietnamese restaurant whose owners have decided to close permanently this Saturday after 38 years of operation due to an increase in vehicle break-ins and commercial burglaries in the surrounding area.
Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce leader Dr. Jennifer Tran said that without basic safety there is no community.
“Without basic safety, there is no business,” Tran said. “Without basic safety, there is no community. Without safety, there is no city. Without basic safety, there is only chaos.”
Reportedly, District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo, former Alameda County District Attorney candidate Terry Wiley, Oakland NAACP president Cynthia Adams, and Calabash owner Nigel Jones also spoke at the event.
Former Oakland Mayoral Candidate Loren Taylor and members of Neighbors Together Oakland, a nonprofit, attended but did not speak at the event.
According to a weekly crime report released on Monday, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) has received 1,109 reports of commercial burglaries across the city. This represents a 9% increase over the number of business burglary reports received in the city during the same period last year.
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What do the participants of the strike hope to achieve by demanding increased police presence
Oakland Businesses Demand Increased Police Presence
Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images
Oakland, California, is currently facing a significant rise in crime rates, and over 200 businesses in the city have taken a stand by participating in a one-day strike. These businesses are demanding that the city take immediate action to increase police presence on the streets in order to ensure the safety of both small businesses and community residents.
The strike, which took place on Tuesday, saw numerous businesses temporarily shut down to draw attention to the urgent need for better protection against crime. Sarah Ryan, the manager of a Mexican restaurant, expressed her frustration and likened the situation to another pandemic. She emphasized the importance of people visiting their businesses in order to ensure their survival.
“It feels like another pandemic,” she said. “We’re calling for people to come in and visit our business so that we can stay in business. We are on a street that should be bustling all the time, and the foot traffic is just gone.”
The strike gained further support during a press conference held outside Le Cheval, an Old Oakland Vietnamese restaurant that has made the difficult decision to permanently close after 38 years due to the increase in vehicle break-ins and commercial burglaries in the surrounding area. Dr. Jennifer Tran, leader of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, stressed that without basic safety, there can be no sense of community.
“Without basic safety, there is no business,” Tran said. “Without basic safety, there is no community. Without safety, there is no city. Without basic safety, there is only chaos.”
Various notable figures attended and spoke at the event, including District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo, former Alameda County District Attorney candidate Terry Wiley, Oakland NAACP president Cynthia Adams, and Calabash owner Nigel Jones. Former Oakland Mayoral Candidate Loren Taylor and members of Neighbors Together Oakland, a nonprofit organization, were also present but did not address the gathering.
Recent reports indicate that the Oakland Police Department (OPD) has received 1,109 reports of commercial burglaries across the city. This number represents a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. These statistics highlight the pressing need for increased police presence and support from local, county, and state leaders.
The strike by Oakland businesses serves as a powerful reminder that safety and security are vital for the well-being of both businesses and the community. By demanding increased police presence, these businesses are urging authorities to take immediate action to address the rising crime rates and protect the livelihoods of business owners and residents alike. Only through collaboration and effective measures can Oakland hope to restore a sense of safety and thrive as a city once again.
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