The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].
Question:
Dear Mr. Mayor,
Thank you for this forum.
As a business owner on 2nd Street which is the heart of the downtown shopping area, I am troubled with loitering.
Loitering is unsafe and kills business. There must be a way stop it without the constant calling police and curtailing it for a few hours. Are there laws on the books that can be enforced? Can fines be given to business owners that profit off loiterers?
Please let me know your thoughts.
Keep in mind a strong downtown is the key to our financial success.
Response from Mayor Coles:
Hi Joel,
I have reached out to Chief Meyer to see if we can implement something that will address this issue without putting the burden on business owners to constantly call in.
I think it will take a multi-faceted approach, dealing with the business owners as well as the residents and police department.
Ray
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Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]
Have a question for the Chief? Send it to [email protected]
A Modest Proposal:
Officers on Foot Patrol in Downtown.
As a customer, I second this request. Last week, I was heckled while going into a store. Very unpleasant. I dreaded leaving the store when done shopping. B”H, the loiterers were gone by then.
I agree. As a female employee who works late hours, foot patrol would be greatly appreciated. It would make customers, employees, and business owners feel safer more comfortable.