Multiple Oakland businesses burglarized at Fruitvale Public Market
Multiple businesses owners operating in Oakland's Fruitvale Public Market have asked officials for more security measures after another burglary. Two unidentified individuals forcibly entered the Fruitvale Public Market early Tuesday morning, stealing an unknown amount of merchandise from at least four businesses. The burglarized businesses included Bakery El Sol, Nieves Cinco de Mayo, Oro Laminado Ismael and Latin Network System. This is not the first time the market has been burgled this year. The market, owned and managed by the nonprofit Unity Council, does not have an alarm system and is working to secure funds to install one after construction at the property is completed in June. The nonprofit has urged city officials and law enforcement to enhance security measures, including increased patrols, additional security cameras and financial assistance to affected businesses.
Publié : il y a 2 mois par Jessica Flores dans Business Finance
Two unidentified individuals forcibly entered the market on E. 12th Street just before 5 a.m. and stole an unknown amount of merchandise from at least four businesses, according to a merchant and the Oakland Police Department. The two individuals fled before authorities arrived, police said.
Among those burglarized were Bakery El Sol, Nieves Cinco de Mayo, Oro Laminado Ismael and Latin Network System, said Jose Flores, owner of Bakery El Sol. Efforts to reach the owners of the other businesses were unsuccessful Wednesday morning.
Flores said he got to the market around 4:45 a.m. and found shattered glass everywhere on the floor. He estimated a loss of about $5,000 for his business.
This is the second time the market was burglarized this year, though the bakery stall was the only one impacted during the January incident, he said.
Flores said he had to purchase his own video surveillance camera after the January incident because the market does not have one nor an alarm system.
The indoor-outdoor market is owned and managed by the nonprofit Unity Council. Caheri Gutierrez, a spokesperson for the nonprofit, said in a statement that they were “deeply frustrated” by the burglary that “has left our merchants shaken and vulnerable.”
“We continue to be impacted by the ongoing acute violence and vandalism targeting East Oakland and Fruitvale,” said Gutierrez. “Despite this unprecedented time, we are determined to thrive and create a vibrant Fruitvale community.”
Gutierrez acknowledged that Tuesday’s burglary was one of several that has impacted the market in the past three years. She said the market does not have an alarm system, and the nonprofit was working to secure funds to install one after construction at the property is completed in June.
Unity Council has spent over $1.4 million over the past two years for security at the Fruitvale Transit Village, which is located across from the market and is also operated by nonprofit, said Gutierrez.
The nonprofit on Wednesday urged city officials and law enforcement to enhance security measures, including increased patrols, additional security cameras and financial assistance to affected businesses, to ensure safety for the merchants and customers.
Last year merchants and residents in Fruitvale demanded that the Unity Council and city officials take safety measures in response to violent crime in the area. In response, the city’s Department of Violence Prevention opened its first satellite office at the Fruitvale Transit Village in October of last year. Unity Council said they added security guards and installed more barriers on the market plaza property to prevent drivers from parking their cars on the curb ramp.
Les sujets: Markets