Oakland Protest Update: Businesses in Temescal Damaged Tuesday Night

A North Oakland commercial district is bustling today despite vandalism that damaged at least 13 of its 250 businesses last night during Ferguson-related protests.

That's thanks in part to some community members who stepped in to protect local merchants.

Salon owner Julie Stevens says she ran from her house to her business last night after seeing footage of looting in Temescal.

"It was crazy, mayhem," says Stevens.

Stevens says she found hundreds of people, and law enforcement from various agencies, lining the street for blocks.

Despite the police presence, several local businesses had windows broken and property stolen, including Genova Deli, Arbor Cafe, Tip Top Bike Shop, Kelly-Moore Paints, T-Mobile and Bank of the West.

But Stevens says some community members came to the defense of stores and eateries, including a young woman she spots walking by.

"There's one of them right there -- that's my hero!," Steven says, "Standing outside of my business like nothing's gonna go down."

Darlene Drapkin of the local business association says she called the district police captain last night after getting reports of damage.

"Unfortunately, in spite of the police presence nearby," says Drapkin, "it seemed like they weren't intervening or making any arrests of the violent protests."

The district has written an open letter to city leaders criticizing the lack of police response.

Oakland police say they arrested 92 people citywide for a variety of crimes and reported three officer injuries.