Oakland business owners are reporting increasing fear and frustration due to a persistent rise in crime, which they say makes even daily work feel precarious. This sentiment has been amplified by a recent incident where a large group of teenagers allegedly stormed a local 7-Eleven.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon when approximately 20 youths reportedly entered the 7-Eleven on International Boulevard. According to employees, the group stole merchandise and caused damage before some individuals attempted to re-enter the store shortly after fleeing.
Video footage captured the group of Black teenagers entering the store around 4 p.m. Employees described the individuals as appearing to be between 14 and 20 years old. After taking items and leaving, some returned and tried to force their way back in. During this second attempt, one person allegedly removed the store's metal door handle and threw it through a glass door, striking the store manager, Sagar Sagar, in the face. Sagar reported that members of the crowd were aggressive and verbally abusive.
Employees stated that this was the sixth violent incident at the store this year. Sagar, the store manager, noted that the store had previously experienced a robbery in September 2023, following which a man was found dead in the parking lot. He expressed a feeling of powerlessness when faced with such incidents, telling KTVU, "I cannot do something. If I do something, police arrest me."
Another employee, Jasshan Singh, described the moment the group entered, saying, "I feel scared. We can’t do anything. We can’t even run."
Oakland City Councilmember Charlene Wang, who chairs the Council's Public Safety Committee and represents the affected area, stated that safety on International Boulevard is a priority. "We're working on securing International Boulevard. This is a priority of mine," Wang told KTVU.
Franchise owner D.A. Brar has described the events at his store as brazen and violent. The store's entrance doors have been boarded up with plywood following the incidents. The repeated nature of these crimes has left business owners in Oakland feeling vulnerable and apprehensive about operating their businesses.