Denny’s closes Oakland restaurant that’s been open for 54 YEARS because California city is now so dangerous, weeks after In-N-Out shuttered nearby location over soaring crime
A 54-year-old branch of Denny’s has closed its doors in Oakland amid threats to “the safety and well-being” of staff and customers, as the Bay Area city struggles to curb rising crime.
With thefts up 37 percent year-on-year, burglaries up 24 percent and motor vehicle thefts up 45 percent to a record, those who live and work in the city don’t feel safe. Violent crimes have also increased by 21 percent in 12 months.
And on Tuesday, Clorox — with its global headquarters in Oakland — began providing security escorts for people walking to and from the train station.
“Honestly, I think that’s a good thing, considering that Oakland is a crazy place after dark,” said Victor Quintanilia, who works nearby in Oakland.
Jaime Solis, who lives nearby, said ABC-7: ‘You could at least say appreciation, they think of the community and their members.’
A campaign has begun to recall the city’s Mayor Sheng Thao and District Attorney Pamela Price — both progressive Democrats who have repeatedly spoken of their desire to address the “inequality” they say helps drive crime.
This Denny’s – the only one in Oakland – closed its doors on Wednesday after 54 years
Jeff Lee has been visiting the Denny’s restaurant for years and says he is shocked by its closure
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faces recall after just a year in office amid rising crime
Alor Ikame, a Grub Hub driver and also a customer of Denny’s, said he was saddened by the closure
Thao, who took office just a year ago, was officially informed of the recall effort by Brenda Harbin-Forte, a retired Alameda County Superior Court judge.
In her letter, Harbin-Forte wrote, “You lack the competence, credibility, judgment and ability to lead what was once a great American city.”
She said ABC-7: ‘Too many lives lost, too many cars stolen, too many people robbed – coming from a bank, followed home. In fact, too many businesses have closed. This mayor has blood on her hands.’
The closure of Denny’s on Wednesday was seen as an indication of the malaise.
“I feel so sorry for the city of Oakland because it seems like everyone is leaving,” said Alor Ikame, a Grub Hub driver and also a customer.
‘I eat it all the time – sometimes at midnight, after the club, and I come here to eat because it’s been quite tasty in recent years.
“I’m so sad to see them go.”
Jeff Lee, who visits with his family every Wednesday for breakfast, said Fox 2 the closure was ‘terrible’ and said: ‘This is probably the oldest business in the area. And now it’s closing.’
“I’m a product of the Bay, born and raised. And this makes me sad. I was proud of where I came from. But now I just shake my head because of all the crime going on.”
Jerry McComb said he was shocked when he heard Denny’s was closing
Signs outside Denny’s warned of theft amid a spate of robberies
Jerry McComb said the closure of the beloved spot was “overwhelming,” adding that he had “been coming here for years.”
Denny’s closure follows those of Subway, Starbucks and In-N-Out Burger – all of which have become magnets for car burglars.
A spokesperson for In-N-Out said this earlier SFGATE that customers and employees were regularly confronted with car burglaries, property damage and armed robberies.
A Shell gas station about a mile from the Denny’s has also become a hot spot for car burglaries.
Oakland police previously told SFGATE that 271 car burglaries, 15 robberies and five cases of car theft occurred at the station in 2023.
Police say the criminals, who operate in well-organized groups, follow the same playbook: A spotter keeps watch for targets, usually rental cars going to or from the airport, while they stop at gas stations.
They then alert the accomplices, who pull up in a vehicle when the targets start pumping fuel. They often smash a rear window or pop open the trunk of unlocked vehicles before making off with luggage and valuables. The thefts last only a few seconds.
The spike has earned Shell the nickname “America’s most dangerous gas station.” The two Chevron sites are also top candidates for the unwanted title.
A police patrol car is stationed at the Shell gas station on Hegenberger Road in Oakland, California, in an effort to deter thieves behind a spike in car thefts
Police have also increased patrols at a nearby Chevron garage, which is also a notorious hot spot. Police say they are powerless to pursue the criminals as thefts are not considered ‘violent crime’
Patrols have also been increased at an In-N-Out Burger, where parked cars are often targeted
Online reviews for these gas stations and the In-N-Out are flooded with dozens of complaints from customers affected by the crooks.
A shocking video from the In-N-Out parking lot shows a thief crashing into a black SUV in broad daylight. The crook leans his feet off the ground through the rear window of the vehicle and grabs several items before fleeing in a waiting getaway car as more than a dozen onlookers watch.
Another clip from outside the Shell shows a thief using the exact same method to steal a backpack from the trunk. With his feet off the ground, he leans against a broken rear window to pick up the loot before escaping.
The victim said he was parked for less than two minutes. “Stay away from this place at all costs,” the review said. “The thieves were bold enough to use my credit cards at this gas station later that day.”
An officer patrolling outside the Shell on Thursday told DailyMail.com: ‘This has always been the case, but not to the extent it is now.’
The officer’s assessment is backed by official crime statistics for Oakland, which show that auto theft has increased nearly 50 percent in the past year.
In 2022, there were 8,675 cases of car theft in the city, compared to 12,956 last year.
The officer said they often see repeat offenders.
“We see someone and they get arrested, and then a week later they come out again,” the officer said.