Small businesses in KC under attack. Can new jail space at police headquarters help? | Opinion
Are small businesses in Kansas City being targeted? Based on what has occurred in this city in recent months, that certainly seems to be a distinct possibility.
A string of commercial break-ins across the city has the potential to cause quality of life issues no one wants here. Independently owned and operated businesses are vital to the growth of the local economy.
City leaders must use every tool at their disposal to address what some entrepreneurs here have labeled an epidemic.
On Thursday, Mayor Quinton Lucas was expected to discuss details of a program designed to financially help out a small business damaged by thieves or vandals. Lucas’ proposed ordinance would provide up to $3,000 to each eligible small business to repair broken windows, doors or locks or remove graffiti. If approved, the $325,000 fund would also pay a business up to $5,000 to help improve its security, according to Lucas’ office.
I unequivocally support this proposal. And the City Council should too. But that’s just a start. Until we get these burglaries under control, the city must consider other ways to aid businesses that suffer economic harm because of theft.
Mayor Lucas: ‘consequences for criminal misconduct’
To deter some of these brazen property crimes, and at the urging of community members from the East Side, Lucas introduced an ordinance that would allocate $16 million to redesign the eighth floor of Kansas City Police Department’s downtown headquarters at East 11th and Locust streets. The new space, with 55 overnight beds, would be used to book and hold up to 144 people accused of violating city ordinances.
In 2015, the police department’s downtown holding and booking facility closed, according to Lucas’ office.
I’m torn on this development. The city has to hold criminals accountable, community activists argued during a series of meetings about crime issues near 31st Street and Prospect Avenue. But locking up people for petty crimes is never a good idea.
Still, anyone caught breaking into a business should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. So should folks engaging in open-air prostitution and other criminal activity reportedly found along the Prospect business corridor near 31st.
“Those who offend in our city must know and will know there are consequences for criminal misconduct in Kansas City,” Lucas said. “Our residents and businesses must know and will know their calls and their concerns are being addressed. Our families must know and will know our city is safe.”
In Kansas City, there is an ongoing concern about the overpolicing of minority communities. But with crooks damaging property all over the city in order to get a quick buck, deterrence has to start somewhere.
My hope is that city officials will invest just as much money in wraparound services for offenders willing to participate in restorative justice and rehabilitation. To escape a life of crime, 3rd District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson told me, some people may just need access to a well-paying job, affordable housing, mental and physical health care or substance abuse counseling. On this point, most of us would agree.
On Tuesday, Police Chief Stacey Graves said data shows burglaries and other property crimes such as theft from vehicles are down. Yet, brazen overnight break-ins have setback many small businesses throughout the city. And no area is exempt. In recent weeks, thieves have burglarized coffee shops, cafes and other commercial establishments from Waldo to Brookside to Midtown, the Crossroads Arts District and the West Bottoms.
And most of these crimes follow a familiar pattern, Kansas City police officials have said: Thieves smash the glass front doors of a business and enter to seek out cash or other valuables.
Restaurant, coffee shop break-ins
Business owners such as The Combine pizza restaurant’s Alan Kneeland fear the thought of being burglarized. At a special meeting on public safety Tuesday at the Kansas City Public Library’s Country Club Plaza branch, Kneeland implored city leaders to address these thefts that could cripple a mom and pop operation’s bottom line.
“What are we doing for local restaurants when it comes to this epidemic of break-ins?” Kneeland, the first Black president of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, said. “We just want some type of reassurance that there is something that is happening on the back end.”
Kneeland told members of Kansas City’s finance and public safety committee that his business near 30th Street and Troost Avenue hasn’t been hit yet. Others haven’t been as lucky. Nevertheless, the possibility of someone breaking into The Combine keeps Kneeland up at night, he said.
He isn’t the only small business owner losing sleep over the break-ins occurring here.
Hours after Tuesday’s public safety meeting, Messenger Coffee Co. and Ibis Bakery on Grand Boulevard near downtown was reportedly broken into. Another local business, Enzo Bistro & Bar in the River Market, was hit early Wednesday too, according to a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page showing shattered glass on the pavement in front of the business. Donutology at the Trolley and Blue Nile Cafe in the River Market were burglarized overnight as well.
Thieves recently broke into the downtown and Crossroads locations of the popular Mildred’s cafes, too.
Along the Troost corridor, thieves and vandals have not spared the owners of Ruby Jean’s Juicery, Anchor Island Coffee, Oddly Correct coffee shop, Equal Minded Cafe and others nearby.
Graves, Lucas and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker were among city leaders who attended the nearly two-hour public safety meeting. So were several City Council members and Kansas City police commissioners. They listened to multiple testimonies from business owners, concerned citizens and community activists.
Some speakers spoke in favor of more jail space, while others were opposed.
“You don’t build new jails and hire new police to respond to crime that’s already happened,” Kansas City resident Ben Nill told the public safety committee. “That is not how we build safe communities. We need to address the underlying issues and make sure that people have affordable housing … and access to the care that they need. That is how we prevent crime.”
Among other topics broached was the ongoing security issues at the Linwood Shopping Plaza and its anchor tenant, Sun Fresh grocery store. I will share my thoughts on Sun Fresh in a future column. A separate ordinance to stiffen penalties for sideshows — illegal car stunt demonstrations that often shut down streets — passed through committee and is expected to be up for approval at Thursday’s city council meeting.
The all-hands-on-deck approach I witnessed Tuesday was much needed. With input from the community, this sort of collaboration must continue.
But talk is cheap. Let’s hope our city leaders back up their words with tangible action.
