The Business Alert program is an extension of the Merchants' Alert Program.
The Business Alert program is structured similarly to Home Alert groups. That is, each Business Alert group is organized block–by–block or street–by–street or within a single facility.
Business Alert is essentially the Merchants' Alert program modified to suit light and heavy industry sites and business parks as well as professional business locations and facilities such as high-rises.
As with Merchants' Alert, Business Alert groups are groups of businesses organized to communicate with one another to report crimes and alert one another of possible suspects in the area.
Like Merchants' Alert groups, Business Alert group areas or locations will be identified by posted signs identifying the area and carrying a warning that all suspicious activity will be reported to the police.
At present, there are five Business Alert groups in East Oakland's Coliseum Area established with the cooperation of the Oakland Commerce Corporations, a nonprofit business retention organization funded by the City of Oakland.
There are a number of locations in West Oakland organized as part of the West Oakland Commerce Association (WOCA) in a position to be established as Business Alert groups.
It is estimated that there area at least 200 streets or locations involving more than 1500 businesses identified as suitable for participation as Business Alert groups in Oakland.
For additional information about Business Alert, call the Community Services Section at (510) 777-8573.