Some disgruntled Oakland business owners are warning the city that they will stop paying taxes until the city starts providing safer areas in which to operate their businesses.
Organizers are calling on more small business owners to participate and calling on the city to increase police patrols and protection.
La Perla Puerto Rican Cuisine, a family-owned restaurant on Fruitvale Avenue, has been robbed at gunpoint twice in the past two years.
Owner Jose Ortiz said he sees very few police patrols, despite the numerous armed robberies that have plagued the area over the past two years.
“We are proposing not to pay taxes to the city until you provide us with the services we deserve,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz, an Oakland native, said in addition to multiple robberies, business is down 25% and customers are staying away because they don't feel safe.
“We’re not alone,” he said. “Across the City of Auckland, we are all in the same position. The City needs to do something immediately and effectively.”
City Councilman Noel Gallo said he sympathizes with the growing number of business owners feeling the pinch due to a decline in customers and an increase in crime.
“The owner is absolutely right,” Gallo said. “Why do we keep increasing taxes but not providing safety services?”
Although nothing is planned yet, Gallo said the full Legislature may need to consider a tax deferral initiative for affected businesses large and small.
Leader of the campaign to recall Mayor Shen Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price said the spending will remain at an all-time high.
Edward Escobar, founder of Citizens Unite, said: “The ball has dropped significantly because of poor policy and poor leadership.”
Escobar said that in the current environment, even large companies have difficulty meeting their taxes, and the problem is much worse for small businesses like Ortiz.
“How can we charge full business taxes to so many businesses that are barely surviving when they're not providing services?” Escobar said.
A spokesperson for Tao's office said progress was being made. He said Oakland has filled all but one vacant officer position, bringing its current total strength to 711. He also said the Fruitvale bust has helped reduce the number of property crimes in recent months, and that withholding would be counterproductive.
