Amid a surge in reported robberies and burglaries, several businesses in Oakland, California, have made the unconventional decision to stop accepting cash payments. According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, this move has helped mitigate the problem for some businesses.
Haemi Lee, an employee at Oakland’s Cafe Umami, explained the reasoning behind this decision. She mentioned that the cost of fixing the doors after multiple robberies was higher than the stolen amount, so the business put up a sign indicating that they no longer accepted cash. The robberies eventually stopped. Many other businesses in Oakland have followed suit, prioritizing employee and business safety over concerns of equity and inclusion.
Angel Her, an assistant manager at Asha Tea House, expressed hope that the change to accepting only credit cards would solve the problem. Asha Tea House had previously experienced three burglaries in two years. The increase in burglaries has been particularly notable in Oakland’s “Police Area 2,” where the number of commercial burglaries nearly tripled between 2021 and the following year.
In contrast to San Francisco, Oakland business owners face no restrictions from the city when it comes to banning cash sales. San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance in 2019 that requires businesses to accept cash in order to be inclusive to individuals who cannot access credit or open a bank account.
Although accepting only card payments can potentially impact business owners’ profit margins due to transaction fees, many businesses see it as a necessary step in ensuring their survival. Chris Jackson, who manages the Rockridge District Association, acknowledged this trade-off, stating that desperate businesses are trying to find ways to stay afloat.
The desperation caused by the crime crisis has been spreading throughout Oakland, prompting more business owners to prioritize their safety over the inclusivity of accepting cash payments.
Kevin, the owner of a haberdashery in Oakland, summed up the sentiment by saying, “No cash — that just eliminates the problem.”
