Which Home Depot is leaving? The one I used to shop at in San Leandro, across from Costco was a mess when I left in 2002. You could not leave anything in your vehicle or it would get busted into and stolen. They had armed security at the doors to protect what they had on display, and grab people running out of the store with stolen items. For people that have never lived in areas like that, they just don't get it.
I don't go to the one in San Leandro after my truck was broken into Sunday morning at 11:30 am parked first space from the front door... same happened at Orchard Supply in San Leandro but had my car.
No issue with Hayward Home Depot but many I know go to San Ramon or even farther out.
A few of my one man contractor friends said they couldn't be in business without their watch dog... this is the reality of working by yourself out in public when you have tools and material.
The Oakland Home Depot, 4000 Alameda Avenue, is best I can describe as between Fruitvale and High below the freeway... under served area since Home Base pulled out years ago. It not the theft per say but the huge transient camps that caused Home Depot to issue ultimatum...
Bayfair Shopping Center is also avoided and withering... makes more sense for many to drive 10 to 15 miles over the hill to shop... mostly purse snatch and car break ins... charge nurse last week coming out of Bed Bath and Beyond... car came right for her and as it swerved someone came up from behind and took her purse and bag... she said never going back... which is sad to see but understandable.
The big Lucky's super market has no end to thieves... the managers actually take action and it was the same store that was looted a few months back... armed takeover that lasted hours with no police response... employees and customers got out the loading dock as shot fired...
Weekly fences cut at the Hospital... but it is more for transient convenience...
Seems the way it works is thieves first steal a car and/or plates... all the camera footage in the world doesn't do much unless someone is injured... again, property crimes don't mean much...
Now if you report a neglected or abused animal the action is swift... also anything with children.