Taco Bell franchises across Oakland are reeling under a deluge of criminal activity, with four out of five locations in the Bay Area city shutting their doors to indoor dining, SFist reports. Diners seeking the comfort of sitting down for a quick meal are now met with signs that read "DINING ROOM CLOSED," as service is limited strictly to drive-thru in an apparent bid to protect customers and staff.
Overwhelmed by a surge in violent incidents and robberies, the franchisees have made the call to indefinitely convert their operations to a drive-thru only format. "The franchise owner and operator has informed us that they are consistently evaluating and working to ensure a safe environment by implementing procedures, such as closing dining rooms, and hiring security guards, and they have taken extra measures to meet with local law enforcement," a Taco Bell Corp representative said in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com.
According to the DailyMail.com report, the switch to a cashless model at some locations reflects the dire circumstances they face, with documented incidents including overnight burglaries, register heists, and even an audacious attempt using a pickup truck to haul away a safe filled with nearly $20,000. The crime spree has touched businesses citywide, from fast-food restaurants to gas stations, where, unfortunately, Oakland's officers feel policy constraints are rendering their efforts to fight crime ineffective.
The city's police department, meanwhile, records show a staggering 38% increase in robberies from 2022 to 2023, painting a grim picture of the safety landscape. Frustrated citizens are having to adjust to a new normal, as echoed in the words of a local, Isaiah Huggins, who said "It's very sad that the general public has to suffer. Criminals are making the quality of life worse for everybody here in Oakland," during an interview with DailyMail.com.
Oakland's Mayor Sheng Thao has attempted to deflect criticism of her administration's handling of the crime wave, citing a stubbornly persistent rise in crime since 2019. As the outcry from local businesses grows louder, the closures at Taco Bell are just the latest in a series of retreats from the rampant criminality that threatens to redefine the landscape of Oakland's communal spaces and commercial vitality.
