Despite repeated burglaries totaling over $300,000, business owner Ben Wang remains steadfast in his belief in San Francisco. He challenges the city's policies and the growing homelessness and drug issues, while emphasizing the importance of compassion and community.
Amidst the escalating turmoil that has plagued San Francisco in recent years, business owner Ben Wang stands as a beacon of resilience and unwavering hope. Despite enduring the harrowing ordeal of five robberies over the past three years, the most recent of which resulted in a staggering loss of over $300,000, Wang refuses to abandon his beloved city.
As the proprietor of Dare Fashion, a vibrant hub of fashion and creativity, Wang has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of San Francisco's escalating crime rates. The seemingly endless cycle of burglaries has forced him to set up a GoFundMe page in a desperate attempt to recoup his staggering losses.
Yet, amidst the despair and frustration, Wang's unwavering belief in the potential of San Francisco shines through. "I love San Francisco," he declares with unwavering conviction. "I really, really do. I really believe in what San Francisco has always stood for, which is a progressive place where we're going to try new things, and it's always been a place where we would think compassionately about other people."
Wang acknowledges the city's missteps, particularly the implementation of Proposition 47 in 2014, which downgraded certain theft and drug possession crimes to misdemeanors, a move he believes has emboldened criminals. "I really do think that we got ahead of our skis a little bit," he reflects. "We tried some things, and when they didn't work, we doubled down on them."
The homelessness and drug crisis that has gripped San Francisco has also taken a heavy toll on Wang's business. "There is a lot of human poop and pee on the street," he laments. "And we have to acknowledge that's not hygienic and that's disgusting."
Despite these challenges, Wang's determination to stay and fight for his city remains unwavering. He has even considered relocating his store to a different neighborhood in San Francisco, a testament to his love for the city.
Wang's resilience extends beyond his own business. He is deeply concerned about the plight of fellow entrepreneurs who have been forced to close their doors in the wake of COVID and the city's ongoing challenges. "I know businesses that have shut down for sure," he says. "And people who have lost everything or they lost their business."
While acknowledging the exodus of residents from San Francisco, Wang challenges city leaders to confront the reasons behind this exodus and to address the obstacles that businesses face. He believes that the city has an opportunity to ask itself "why people are leaving" and "what is so difficult about running a business in San Francisco?"
At the heart of Wang's unwavering optimism is a deep-seated belief in the power of compassion and community. "One of the reasons I love San Francisco [is that it] has always been a place throughout history that has served people who didn't necessarily feel like they belonged in the communities where they were coming from," he explains.
Wang believes that San Francisco's spirit of inclusivity and acceptance cannot be extinguished, even amidst the current challenges. "People have always come to San Francisco to let their free flag fly and to be themselves," he says. "I just don't think that even if with bad policies, even with all this other stuff happening, you can't crush that spirit."
As San Francisco grapples with its multifaceted challenges, Ben Wang stands as a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience, and a powerful testament to the enduring spirit that has always defined the city. His unwavering belief in the potential of San Francisco serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope, compassion, and the determination to overcome adversity can prevail.
