Eastside businesses limit their store hours to help combat crime
Two Kansas City businesses have shortened their store hours to ward off criminal activity, just days after a news conference where local leaders urged businesses to cooperate with law enforcement.
Big D’s Liquor and a BP convenience store, catty-corner to each other at East 35th Street and Prospect Avenue, are at the center of an area of the city that has been prone to violence and shootings for decades. At a news conference on Monday in the neighborhood, elected officials and community leaders scolded the businesses for allowing people to congregate outside the buildings.
Big D’s hours were 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. every day, while BP’s store was open 24 hours.
After meeting with city officials and community leaders on Wednesday, Big D’s shortened its listed hours to 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday. BP’s listed hours are limited to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Pat Clarke, president of the Oak Park Neighborhood Association, was in the meeting and said both businesses could close at 11 p.m. in the next few months.
The city also asked the owner of the gas station to agree to several changes, according to city spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt. The owner agreed to make these changes, Honeycutt said.
- Cease the sale of drug paraphernalia like pipes and stems
- Install ‘”No Trespassing” signage that includes the business’s closed hours
- Collaborate with KCPD to enforce trespassing laws and appear in court when necessary
- Remove window and door obstructions to improve visibility
- Install bright overnight security lighting
- Review and reconsider inventory that attracts problematic customers
Business owners committed to help the community
Big D’s owner, Sheraz Baig, said the business owners are committed to doing what they can to help the community.
Several weeks ago, Baig, the owner of the BP, and Palestine Commons Senior Apartments agreed to hire a private security company to walk the area. The patrol will start next month, according to an official with the apartment complex.
The businesses also discussed an agreement with Kansas City police to allow officers to clear their businesses and public sidewalks of loitering people, according to Gwendolyn Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, who was also in the meeting.
The Kansas City Police Department has remained in contact with community organizers and business owners since Monday and had two East Patrol Division commanders at the meeting, according to spokesperson Capt. Jake Becchina.
“We have coordinated with business owners to make sure they are educated on what our abilities and limitations are when it comes to having the authority to ask for or remove people from their (premises),” Becchina said in a statement to The Star. “We are taking steps to ensure the legality of any compulsory removal or even detainment (ensuring) business participation.”
Task force created after mass shooting
A spokesperson for Mayor Quinton Lucas sent a statement to The Star explaining that situations like this are why the city’s Public Safety Task Force, which addresses city ordinance violations to business license, noise control and nuisance, was created.
“Kansas City’s Public Safety Task Force was created after a mass shooting in 2023 at a business at 57th and Prospect that claimed to conduct auto repairs, but ran an after-hours nightclub, selling alcohol at all hours and receiving more than 40 calls to 911 and numerous neighborhood complaints,” the statement said. “The business was not closed until after nine people were shot and three killed at the establishment during an after-hours party.
“The City will not tolerate the same behavior again,” the statement continued.
“The City reviews businesses based only on complaints, repeated Code of Ordinances violations, and police calls for service on property. The City supports all businesses that follow the laws. Those rare businesses that break laws and harm Kansas Citians in the process will be held accountable.”
This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 11:42 AM.
