For many restaurants and small businesses in Oakland, being the target of a break-in is an all-too-familiar reality. So far this year, the Oakland Police Department has received 379 reports of commercial burglaries citywide, a 47% decrease compared to the same time last year. But last year was an exceptionally bad one. Commercial burglaries across Oakland are up 9% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the Oakland Police Department's annual crime data.
Whether you're a new Oakland business or have been in business for years, experiencing a break-in can be demoralizing and leave you feeling violated. To help you navigate the stress and confusion, The Oaklandside has created a step-by-step guide on what to do after you find out your business has been robbed or vandalized.
We developed this guide with input from the Oakland Police Department, the City of Oakland's Economic and Workforce Development Agency, commercial property insurance companies, and restaurant and business owners who have been to the scene. Please note that this is a general guide and is not a substitute for legal advice.
Step 1: Know who to contact and how to report
Non-emergency incidents can be reported at the Oakland Police Department Building, 455 7th St. Photo by Amir Aziz
For emergencies that pose a danger to life, property or public safety, such as a crime in progress, please call 911. For non-emergency situations, such as lost items or a crime that has already occurred, please call OPD's non-emergency line at 510-777-3333 or report it in person to the Police Administration Building at 455 7th St.
By definition, burglary of a commercial establishment involves theft, so if no items are stolen from the store, it is considered vandalism. Cases of vandalism can be reported online.
When filing a report, be sure to include the approximate date and time of the theft or vandalism. If a police officer comes to your business or you file the report yourself, write down the name and contact information of the officer who took the report. The officer will also give you a police report number, which you should keep and keep in a safe place. You will need it when you request a copy of the police report, which you will need to give to your insurance company.
You should also notify your landlord or building manager about the incident.
Step 2: Take photos and videos of the damage
Commercial property insurance companies will require evidence of break-ins or vandalism, so it's very important that you take photos and videos of any damage, such as broken doors or shattered windows.
You could also check with neighbors and businesses. If anyone witnessed the break-in, gather their contact information and ask if they have any photos or videos of the incident. You could also ask nearby businesses if they have security camera footage of the vandalism or burglary.
Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Be sure to check with your insurance company exactly what steps you need to take to ensure your claim is processed quickly.
“Claims should be filed as soon as possible, as waiting too long could result in your claim being denied,” says Brian Sullivan, broker and managing member at Avail Insurance Solutions.
In most cases, insurance companies will ask for a police report. You can request a copy of the police report online using the City of Oakland's public records request portal. When requesting a copy of the police report, be sure to include the police report number, business address, business name, and any other identifying information that will help the records custodian locate the report.
The claims agent may also ask you to provide a proof of damage, or a list of all items that were damaged or stolen. If any lost or damaged items are found, you can update the list.
Still, if the policy is “used heavily in a short period of time, the insurer may not renew the policy, which could result in future premiums being much more expensive,” Sullivan said.Generally, claims last a company three to five years, Sullivan said.
Step 4: Board up the business to prevent further damage
The Rotary Nature Center is boarded up after a fire broke out on Nov. 6, 2023. Photo by Amir Aziz
You can either do this yourself or hire a planking service. “A lot of people are surprised that insurance companies don't hire repairmen. That's up to the business owner,” says Jerry Becerra, president of Oakland-based Heffernan Burberry Insurance Services.
The following companies offer emergency board-up services 24/7:
Contact your insurance company for more information on board-up service recommendations.
The city of Oakland doesn't require businesses to get a building permit to board up broken windows.
Step 5: Keep your receipt
If the damage requires repairs (such as a broken window that you are not comfortable covering temporarily), keep all receipts related to the repairs. You will need these receipts to receive compensation from your insurance company. Also, avoid making any repairs until you have received approval from the loss adjuster.
Some insurers say it's generally better to claim on larger losses. “If it's a routine or predictable loss, it's better to manage it through budgeting,” Becerra says. “Vandal claims are unpredictable, typically large in size and disrupt business operations. That's the type of claim that lends itself to insurance.”
Christy Johnston-Limon, director of Oakland's Economic and Workforce Development Agency, said the city is not providing grants or other compensation to compensate for theft or vandalism.
“We are actively building partnerships to offer such a program, which looks promising but is still in the preliminary stages,” Johnston-Limon said. “We understand it is a pressing need and a priority.”
If your neighborhood has a Business Improvement District (sometimes called a Community Benefit District), they may be able to provide financial assistance to businesses that have been robbed.
Beyond financial assistance, OPD also recommends that businesses conduct a Crime Prevention by Environmental Design analysis, which you can do yourself at any time using the CPTED checklist, which lists a variety of security measures to prevent crime, such as installing interior and exterior security cameras and rotating shelves so cashiers have a clear view of the aisles.
OPD also encourages businesses to participate in the Merchant Watch Program, which allows them to communicate with each other and police to report crimes or suspicious activity in the community.
Police are also encouraging people to register their security cameras with the City of Oakland, which lists all residential and commercial security cameras in the city and will be used by Oakland Police in the event of an emergency.