Growing Concerns for Oakland Businesses Amid Rising Crime
Business owners in Oakland are feeling a mix of fear, frustration, and exhaustion due to ongoing crime, making it unsafe for them to simply head to work.
The latest troubling event took place on Saturday afternoon, when around 20 teenagers reportedly broke into a 7-Eleven, stealing items and damaging the store. Some of them even attempted to re-enter shortly after.
Store employees noted this incident is just one in a series of violent occurrences at the establishment, which had faced robberies in the past.
Surveillance footage captured a group of young individuals rushing into the 7-Eleven on International Boulevard around 4 PM.
Two employees estimated that the intruders were likely between 14 and 20 years old.
A crowd hurried inside, swiping various items before fleeing, according to police reports.
The employee on duty managed to lock the door and call 911, but the looting wasn’t over just yet.
Moments later, several individuals returned, trying to get back inside. One employee mentioned that a thief forcefully removed the metal handle from the door and hurled it through the glass, striking the store manager, Sagal Sagal, in the face.
Sagal recounted that the crowd behaved aggressively and hurled insults at him.
This incident marked the sixth violent event at the store this year, according to the staff.
For Sagal, these experiences have escalated his anxiety about running the business. He recalled how just a few months earlier, a man was discovered dead in the parking lot, just hours after a robbery.
“We can’t even defend ourselves,” Sagal remarked. “If I react, it could end up with me in trouble with law enforcement.”
Employee Jashan Singh described stocking shelves when a wave of people suddenly burst in. “We’re scared. There’s nothing we can do. We can’t even run.”
Local City Councilor Charlene Wang, who oversees the area and chairs the public safety committee, mentioned that improving safety is a critical focus. “We are actively working on ensuring the safety of key thoroughfares. This is my top priority,” she stated.
