73. That's how many robberies and burglaries have happened in just the last three months in one small section of the west side. Members of the business community say they're ready for change.
Police say Steve Farias led them on a chase through the West side after allegedly robbing two pizza shops Monday. Little Cesar's and Pizza Patron are both on West Commerce Street.
"I did see a lot of police officers back and forth but it's always prevalent around here so I don't really pay attention to it," said James Munguia, who works at an insurance company two doors down from Pizza Patron.
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It may seem like Munguia's take on crime is a bit casual, but consider this: KSAT crime tracked a two mile radius around that specific Pizza Patron. In the last three months there were eight robberies and 65 burglaries, just at businesses.
"I feel like it’s gotten to the point where we overlook it now, since we know it’s there but also you know in the back of our minds you never know, the day is going to be today they might target this office," Munguia said.
He's not the only one harboring concern while at work.
L&S Body Shop is within the 2 mile radius and the shop was burglarized about a year ago. Since then, the staff has put in safety measures like steel crossbars in front of the doors to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"It sounds high," District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales said when hearing the number of incidents.
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It's not news she likes to hear, considering she's been working to cut down on crime in her district.
"We have had a deliberate attempt to try to reduce crime in the area. We've been working specifically with the chief to create a crime task force," she said.
Her main focus has been in neighborhoods, and Gonzales now wants to mirror those same tactics in the business setting.
"Having a task force on the commercial strips like Commerce or Zarzamora or Buena Vista or Culebra could be another method where we’re in communication. Now with technology we need to be able to take advantage of those networks. Alert each other in the event that there’s something going on, usually via text message or an email and so perhaps we could have an initiative like that where we are warning each other," Gonzales said.
She said that's what seems to be working in the residential neighborhoods: community and police working together to prevent and report crime.
Gonzales plans to bring up the idea of a new business communication network at Wednesday's Westside Business Alliance meeting. The alliance is brand new and when she saw the crime numbers Tuesday she said it would be a great topic to bring up.
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