A local business in Oakland, California, announced on Saturday that it plans to shut down because of increasing crime, CBS News Bay Area reported.
Le Cheval, which has operated in the Oakland area since 1985, said that it would permanently shut down at the end of September in part because of violent crime, according to CBS. While the restaurant had been robbed repeatedly, some patrons were robbed at gunpoint or had their cars stolen from directly in front of the restaurant. (RELATED: ‘It’s A War Zone’: Liberal City’s Residents Slam Officials For ‘Doing Nothing’ About Dangerous Street Driving)
“Even right in front of the restaurant, their car is still broken into. And they’re really mad. And they told me ‘Son, I love your restaurant. I love your food. I love your family, but I cannot come back to Oakland. A $30 meal becomes $500 something,” Son Tran, the owner of Le Cheval, told CBS.
“The lack of office workers did not kill us. The crime, the criminals killed us,” Tran added.
Gas station robbery in Oakland, California with AR 15. Wow, things are getting out of hand.
— Johnny (@tallyman2023) September 12, 2023
Other restaurants in Oakland have also faced escalating crime that has placed a strain on their businesses, according to CBS News Bay Area.
“It happens like almost every month,” Pim Soithong, co-owner of Pintoh Thai, told CBS. “And when we try to get help from the police. We know they are busy, but we call them for support, and they never show up.”
Oakland locals have criticized Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price for her “soft on crime” approach and lack of response to violence in the area. Auto theft has risen 46% in the town this year compared to the same time span last year, while reported robbery has increased by 30%, CBS reported.
“Mad, really mad, very disappointed. The politicians in Oakland here, they can do nothing, just talk only,” Tran told CBS.
The Alameda County DA’s office and Le Cheval did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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