In-N-Out Burger made the announcement on Sunday, January 21, that their Oakland location would be closing in the next two months owing to "ongoing issues with crime."
Closure of Oakland Branch
According to ABC7, In-N-Out Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick spoke frankly about the company's repeated measures toward establishing safer conditions. Nevertheless, he confirmed in his statement that their "customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies."
The food chain said that March 24 will be the store's last day of operation.
In-N-Out expressed gratitude to the community for its 18 years of support before addressing the impact of the abrupt closure on employees and their families. The company stated that while the location is still profitable and busy, the safety of its customers and associates must be their top priority. It added: "We cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment."
The firm informs that employees who work at their restaurants have the option to receive severance pay or move to one of their adjacent sites, which include Alameda, Pinole, Mill Valley, Daly City, San Francisco, San Leandro, or Union City.
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High Crime Rate
Crimes involving vehicles were common in that location, with victims being innocent tourists who had stopped at local businesses for fuel or food on their way to Oakland International Airport.
At around 6:15 AM on Sunday, many callers reported witnessing somebody attempting to take an ATM at a Bank of America branch on Hegenberger Drive, which is half a mile away from the In-N-Out along the same airport corridor. This information was provided to The San Francisco Standard by the Oakland police.
The ATM had been stolen, and the bank's facade had been damaged when the officers arrived. Cops were unable to figure out where the stolen ATM was located until much later, on Alameda Avenue, west of Howard Street. Officers detained an individual in relation to the theft shortly after recovering it, according to the police.
An individual who spoke with TheSan Francisco Standard earlier this month revealed that they are one of six guards who keep a constant eye out for potential break-ins at gas stations along Hegenberger Road between Leet and Edgewater drives, as well as at a nearby commercial plaza, a Chevron on 98th Avenue, and the In-N-Out at 8300 Oakport St.
The security guard said that of all the locations they cover, the Oakland In-N-Out receives the highest volume of theft complaints.
An In-N-Out security guard from Brosnan Risk Consultants reportedly said that the fast food joint has many break-ins every day. The security guard, who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal, estimated that there were five on a typical day. "On a bad day, I can't even get a report in because it's back-to-back."
