Oakland empanada business owner frustrated with crime, homelessness
An Oakland business owner who makes Argentinian empanadas is frustrated with a lack of support from the city after he says he has faced two break-ins over the past year. Javier Sandes, the owner of Javis Empanadas in Oakland, is frustrated with a lack of support from the city due to crime and homelessness. He has faced two break-ins over the past year and is dealing with an encampment outside his business. Sandes posted a video to Instagram asking for help and has reported numerous incidents of homelessness, including an unsanemic woman who often relieves herself on the sidewalk near where his customers enter. The city initially charged Sandes with an excess litter fee, which has since been waived. He hopes local leaders will do more for businesses like his.
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An Oakland business owner who makes Argentinian empanadas is frustrated with a lack of support from the city after he says he has faced two break-ins over the past year.
Now he's struggling with a new challenge brought on by homelessness in the area.
Javier Sandes. the owner of Javis Empanadas, told KTVU that an unhorsed woman has built an encampment outside his business, Javi's Cooking, on 2300 Broadway.
He said that pleas to the city and the mayor's office have gone unheard. He posted a video to Instagram on Wednesday asking for help.
His video shows a person with a pile of things, including a tent and a large tarp on the sidewalk in front of his business.
Sandes said he has called both 911 and 311, reporting this to the city, but he's heard nothing. In fact, the city even charged him and "excess litter fee."
Sandes appealed that fee, which the city has since waived.
He said Mayor Sheng Thao introduced herself to business owners in the area when she took office, and encouraged them to reach out to her.
"I chatted with her for like half an hour," Sandes said on Thursday. "It was great. But after that, I haven't seen her around. I've been emailing her, texting her, [sending her] videos about the issues that we've been having here in West Oakland, and I have no answer. Unfortunately, it's disappointing."
He and his employees have been dealing with this situation for over a week.
Sandes said the unhoused woman often relieves herself on the sidewalk, just feet from where his customers enter. He says things escalated last week.
"She actually pulled the knife to me and my staff last Friday," he said. "That's the first time I called the police. They came. Didn't do much. The police was here five times so far."
He also said the woman has brought an excess amount of trash and left it near his property. His customers have also reported being yelled at by the woman, or berated if they don't give her any cash. He hopes local leaders will do more for businesses like his.
"Yes, my message is that it's not only me," Sandes said. "It's happening all over the East Bay, San Francisco, even. But Oakland is very affected by it. We've noticed a decrease in businesses. Businesses are closing down every day in Oakland."
Topik: Social Issues, Homelessness