Long Beach business owners call for stronger police presence – NBC Los Angeles

Ten businesses and nearly 30 cars were vandalized or destroyed in two weeks, prompting business owners in Long Beach’s East Village to demand stronger action from the Long Beach Police Department.

“Whatever is happening right now is not working,” said Julie Darrel, owner of BYO Long Beach. “On this street alone, practically every business is affected in one way or another.”

Several businesses on the same street as BYO Long Beach were hit over the weekend, so several business owners, like Darrel, carry tasers because of the increased danger.

“I always keep my head up and look to see who’s behind me,” said Stephanie Stomp, owner of Envy Beauty Studio on Elm Street. “I’d love to see them get out of their cars and walk around the neighborhood… they just pass by a lot of things, so you could see what’s going on on foot.”

Last weekend, police did not respond to a call about a burglary at a business on First Street for nearly four hours.

Long Beach police told NBC4 in a statement that other calls had higher priority.

“At the time of this dispatch, there were multiple arsons in the North Division area, a shooting … and an assault in the Downtown Entertainment District area,” wrote Hannah Ortiz, Long Beach’s public information officer. “Officers responded as soon as they could, which was 3 hours and 51 minutes after the initial dispatch.”

The police have set up mobile camera surveillance in the area and business owners pay for external security guards and ambassadors.

But owners say this is not as deterrent as the physical presence of police on the street.

“Just walk around. See what’s going on,” Stomp said. “Just driving by is not the solution.”