Violent Daytime Robberies Elevate Safety Fears In Oakland’s Chinatown Neighborhood – CBS San Francisco

Auckland (CBS SF) – In the wake of two high-profile robberies during the day in Oklahland Chinatown, business owners said pedestrian traffic in the business district slowed over the weekend. They thought buyers were worried about safety and would return as long as they felt safe.

A co-owner of New Gold Metal restaurant, Chiu Li, is trying to restore customer confidence. He hired someone to install eight cameras in front of the restaurant on Saturday. This is on top of the cameras already installed inside it. Workers also added more outdoor lighting.

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“We have a lot of cameras, but (thieves) still come and break the client’s (car’s) window,” Lee said.

Lee said worse than breaking cars is a violent robbery to buyers.

“Customers have been idle for the last couple of days,” he said. “Maybe a lot of them are afraid to go out.”

The robbery took place Thursday and Friday at the same location, at 9th Street and Harrison. Many people witnessed the thefts. A man who tried to stop the robbery on Thursday was shot with a pistol.

“It’s very scary. Terrible for the elderly, horrible for everyone, ”said a shopper who walks past Nancy. “We come in pairs, spraying with pepper. And then my girlfriend has an amazing gun. ”

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Joanna Au works with Protect Oakland Chinatown to help Chinatown residents and buyers install surveillance cameras in businesses for free.

“What happens is confusing,” Au said. “And we’re tired of it and want to do something about it.”

On Saturday, she joined Magnolia Mini Mart and small businesses to raise money to pay for the cameras.

“Yes, there is support for small retailers, but we are also there to support the community,” said Jane Perez of Kuali Salsas, a retailer who participated in the mini-March fundraising event. So I think it was a win-win situation for all of us. ”

They hope more cameras will stop people from committing crimes in Qingtao.

“We had a lot of people come out today,” Au said. “I am very grateful. The community is amazing. ”

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Fundraising organizers said they are trying to add about 25 cameras in Chinatown.