After several months of having one of his businesses broken into, an Oakland company owner is irate.
One of the few remaining small businesses on Oakland’s Hegenberger Road is Alan Liang’s burger establishment, but a recent heist is driving Liang over the brink.
“As small business owners, our goal is to stay in business. However, you know, dealing with crimes is difficult, and we find it difficult to continue operating as a firm,” Liang stated.
Liang claimed that early on Monday morning, three individuals stormed into his Hegenburger business and threatened his cook with guns. Before leaving through the front door, the group insisted that he empty the cash register and pay over all of the money.
According to Liang, he has lost hundreds of dollars.
“This is really reliable. We see this every day, you know. Every day, we witness carjackings, robberies, and burglaries,” Liang told CBS News Bay Area.
The events that transpired at Liang’s burger joint are not unique. The tow shop next door and his collision shop have both been targeted in the past year.
“A automobile was taken from our impound lots by the towing firm. Then someone stole a customer’s car from the body business two weeks ago,” Liang stated.
Theft in particular is a common crime in the Hegenberger corridor. The gas station across the street was broken into the weekend before Liang’s business was robbed. Police responded to 16 burglaries that occurred in the vicinity of Hegenberger and Collins Drive throughout the summer.
A key component of Oakland’s economic integrity is being destroyed by the nearly continual criminality, according to district 7 councilman-elect Ken Houston.
“This place has gotten worse. Leadership has caused it to decline, and it has been forgotten. However, they overlook our international airport,” Houston remarked. “The car dealerships are located here. We have Amtrak here. This is an engine of the economy.
Houston claimed that the existing climate in the Hegenberger corridor makes it impossible for small businesses to thrive and that prompt intervention is necessary to guarantee the survival of companies like Liang’s.
“The healthy fear and respect must return. I go on to say, respect and healthy dread of what? Of the police,” Houston stated.
Liang, meantime, is uncertain about his ability to remain in the region. He believes that a shift may be brought about by a new administration.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.