The California famous burger chain In-N-Out has announced it will be closing its only store in Oakland after repeated crime and safety issues, with employees and customers falling victim to car break-ins, theft, and armed robberies.

Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick made the announcement in a statement to KGO-TV and thanked the community, saying the Oakland store has remained open for nearly two decades. However, he said the company made the decision to close “due to ongoing issues with crime.”

“We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years ... but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates - we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment,” Mr. Warnick said.

Employees at the store that’s now expected to close March 24 will receive the option to transfer to a nearby location or receive a severance package, he said.

Despite its departure, the company will continue to support Oakland through its charities, according to the CEO, where the In-N-Out burger foundation and Slave 2 Nothing Foundation assist victims of child abuse, human trafficking, and substance abuse in several states.

When asked about the famed restaurant chain’s departure, the city of Oakland told The Epoch Times via email the city is seeing success in deterring crime under a plan by the Oakland Police Department, in which auto burglaries decreased by 23 percent in 2023 compared to the year prior.

The trend was most noticeable in the last half of 2023, when theft was down by nearly 50 percent and auto burglaries fell 43 percent, according to officials.

As part of the crime reduction plan, two “dedicated walking officers” have been assigned to patrol the Hegenberger corridor and the 90th Avenue corridor, suppressing crime for the nearby shopping centers and gas stations—including In-N-Out, which is within feet of Hegenberger Road.

Members of the city’s police department and city councilwoman Treva Reid also regularly meet with business owners to discuss concerns, crime patterns, and other business-related issues, officials said.

In a recent interview with EpochTv’s “California Insider,” former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said the move by In-N-Out was sad to see.

“It’s really disappointing to see another place my family enjoyed just decide they can’t take it anymore,” he said.

Mr. Armstrong said the persistent crime is a result of limited police resources and prosecutors not penalizing low level crimes, which emboldens criminals, resulting in more crime, more business closures, and a bad mark on Oakland’s reputation.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao fired Mr. Armstrong in his role as police chief in February amid allegations he failed to discipline officers who had committed misconduct. A new chief has yet to be selected, despite a pool of potential candidates.