Oakland Chinatown businesses decry fines for persistent graffiti

Oakland Chinatown merchants are expressing frustration over accumulating fines for graffiti on their properties, despite their diligent efforts to remove it. The city mandates that property owners clean graffiti within 10 days of notification, with penalties reaching up to $6,200 for non-compliance. Business owners like Shirley Luo of Won Kee Market report that graffiti reappears within days of cleaning, leading to repeated fines and additional costs for city reinspections. They argue that while the city is quick to penalize, it falls short in preventing vandalism or apprehending offenders.

Cristy Johnston-Limón, Oakland’s Deputy Director of Business Development and a 2009 San Francisco Fellow with the LeaderSpring Center, noted that Chinatown receives three times more graffiti complaints than other business districts. Her leadership highlights the need for more supportive and equitable solutions for small businesses facing persistent vandalism.

Learn more about the City of Oakland - Business Development: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/business-development