For many restaurants and small businesses in Oakland, being the target of a break-in is an all-too-common reality. So far this year, the Oakland Police Department has received 379 commercial burglary reports citywide, down 47% compared with this time last year. But last year was exceptionally bad— annual crime data from OPD shows commercial burglaries across Oakland in 2023 were up 9% compared with 2022.
Whether you’re a new or longtime business owner in Oakland, break-ins can make you feel demoralized and violated. To help you navigate the stress and confusion, The Oaklandside has created a step-by-step guide on what to do after discovering your storefront has been burglarized or vandalized.
We created this with input from OPD, the city of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, commercial property insurance providers, and restaurant and business owners who have been there. Note that this is intended to be a general guide, not a legal advice substitute.
Step 1: Know who to call and how to report
For emergencies that pose a risk to life, property, or public safety, such as ongoing crimes, call 911. For non-emergencies, such as missing items or crimes that have already transpired, call OPD’s non-emergency line at 510-777-3333 or file a report in person at the Police Administration Building at 455 7th St.
A commercial burglary, by definition, involves theft, so if no items are missing from your business, it is considered vandalism. You can report a vandalism case online.
When filing a report, include the approximate dates and times of the burglary or vandalism. If a police officer comes to your business or if you file a report in person, jot down the name and contact details of the officer who takes down your report. The officer will also give you a police report number; hold on to that and keep it somewhere safe. You’ll need it when requesting a copy of the police report, which you’ll have to provide to your insurance company.
You should also notify your landlord or building property manager of the incident.
Step 2: Take photos and videos of the damage
Since your commercial property insurer will ask you to provide evidence of the break-in or vandalism, taking pictures and videos of any damage, including broken doors and shattered windows, is crucial.
It’s also worth checking in with nearby residents and businesses. If anyone witnessed the break-in, gather their contact information and ask if they have photos or videos of the incident. You can also ask neighboring businesses if they have security camera footage of the vandalism or burglary.
Step 3: Contact your insurance company
Reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible to start the claims process. Always ask your insurance provider exactly what steps need to be taken to ensure your claim is processed quickly.
“Claims should be filed sooner than later. If too much time goes by, the claim might be declined,” said Brian Sullivan, broker and managing member at Avail Insurance Solutions.
In most cases, your insurance provider will ask you to provide a police report. You can request a copy of your police report online using the city of Oakland’s public records request portal. When requesting a copy of your police report, remember to include the police report number, business address, name of your business, and any other identifying information that would help the records custodian locate your report.
Also, your claims adjuster will likely ask you to file a “proof of loss” document, or a list of all damaged or stolen items. You can update the list as you discover more missing or damaged goods.
That said, if insurance “is used too often in a short amount of time, the insurer might not renew the policy, and future premiums could be much more expensive,” Sullivan said. In general, Sullivan said, insurance claims will typically follow businesses for three to five years.
Step 4: Board up your business to prevent further damages
You can either do this yourself or contact a board-up service provider. “Often people are surprised to see that the insurance does not hire contractors to make the repairs. That is up to the business owner,” said Jerry Becerra, president of Oakland-based Heffernan Barbary Insurance Services.
The following companies provide emergency board-up services 24/7:
- Bay Restorators: 510-534-6647
- BELFOR Property Restoration: 888-543-3473
- East Bay Glass: 510-346-5262
- Restoration Management Company: 800-400-5058
- SERVPRO: 925-962-3370
- Vortex Doors: 510-991-5079
Contact your insurance provider for more board-up service recommendations.
The city of Oakland does not require businesses to obtain a building permit to board up broken windows.
Step 5: Keep your receipts
If the damages require you to fix something—such as a broken window that you’re not comfortable covering temporarily—keep all the receipts related to the repairs. You’ll need these to get reimbursed by your insurance company. And try to avoid making repairs until you have approval from the claims adjuster.
Some insurers say filing insurance claims for bigger losses is generally better. “If something is a routine or predictable loss, it is better to manage that through budgeting,” Becerra said. “A vandalism claim is unpredictable and usually larger and interrupts the business. That is a more appropriate type of claim for insurance.”
Step 6: Contact your business improvement district and/or the city of Oakland’s Business Assistance Center
The city of Oakland does not provide grants or other compensation to offset the costs of burglaries or vandalism, according to Cristy Johnston-Limón, executive director of the city’s Economic & Workforce Development Department.
“We are actively developing partnerships to provide such a program, which is looking promising, but is still in the works,” Johnston-Limón said. “We know it is an immediate need and a priority.”
If your neighborhood has a business improvement district—sometimes referred to as a community benefit district—it may be able to provide financial assistance to burglarized businesses.
Beyond financial aid, OPD suggests performing a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design analysis of your business, which you can do by yourself at any time using the CPTED checklist. The list provides various safety measures to prevent crime, such as installing indoor and outdoor security cameras and turning shelves so the cashier can see down the aisles.
OPD also recommends participating in the Merchant Watch Program, through which businesses can communicate with one another and the police to report crime and suspicious activity in the area.
Police also recommend registering your security camera with the city of Oakland. The registry maps out all residential and commercial security cameras citywide, which OPD uses in the event of an emergency.
