Lack of parking causing difficulties for shoppers, businesses in Oakland

Parking spaces are few and far between in Oakland at Centre Avenue and North Craig, and many people and business owners said a towing company is taking advantage of the situation, making a ton of money in the process.

A large development sits on what used to be this neighborhood's only public parking lot. Now, many people park in the CVS lot and come back to find their cars tagged, about to be towed.

Rasha Al-Gha is among several customers who have been tagged while patronizing businesses in the neighborhood.

"Last Friday there was this pregnant lady she was here 10 minutes and her car was being towed and 250 dollars she had to come up with it. They don't take check or credit cards you have to pay cash."

Al-Gha said she had to pay $250 cash to keep her own car from being towed in February.

"I told them, ‘This is my car, I need to leave.' He said, 'I can't do anything, You have to pay $250.'"

There are signs in the CVS lot that warn drivers that if they park there and aren’t a CVS customer, they will be towed. But other business owners say they’re being penalized.

"Small businesses like us are suffering because our customers have nowhere to park,” said Mert Demirag of Pizza Pronto.

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