USINESS WALK REPORT · 2016. 5. 3. · Mc Donald’s Mid Valley Property Management Mid-Valley...
Transcript of USINESS WALK REPORT · 2016. 5. 3. · Mc Donald’s Mid Valley Property Management Mid-Valley...
BUSINESS WALK REPORT
April 2016
J Street to L Street and Cross Street to Tulare Ave
On behalf of Team Tulare and our partners, the information below is provided as a report on the activities and out-
comes related to our monthly Business Walks. The purpose of the Business Walks is to increase awareness and improve
communications between Team Tulare and its partners, including the City and business owners. Our goal is to identify
needs, challenges and opportunities for local businesses and to provide services and resources when necessary.
Business Walk Date:
April 7, 2016
9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Summary of Input & Requests: 1. Businesses willingly provided input on issues surrounding overall unsafe feeling of customers, staff and owners: “We are moving,” “Theft is rampant”. 2. Other concerns included: Transit center, property owners lack of care, communication with city and dumpster issues. 3. Businesses were appreciative of the visit and for the Information on the upcoming Business Safety Meeting.
Business Feedback: Team Tulare asked two basic questions: “What challenges do you face doing business in downtown Tulare?” “How can we help your business succeed?” The majority of businesses all began by complaining about the “homeless issue”. When asked about specific encounters, businesses related experiences ranging from people sleeping on or
around their property, public nudity, public intoxication, multiple thefts, break-ins, vandalism, aggressive panhandling,
intimidation, excess trash, illegal dumping and human waste. When asked what can be done to help businesses, the
overwhelming response was communication. Businesses feel they have no one to reach out to for help. Many of them
feel stuck in downtown or are actively looking for other locations. Comments below are listed in order of volume:
Safety: Businesses locking doors during the day out of fear. Employees leaving in groups and being escorted to
cars. Aggressive encounters with vagrants and panhandlers. Retaliation from vagrants when police are called or
action taken. Homeless entering businesses and locking doors or blocking entrance.
Homeless: Using the planter boxes, sides of buildings and walkways as restrooms. Removing clothing and
standing in entrance ways. Scaring customers with aggressive panhandling. Police and businesses not equipped to
deal with mental health issues and substance abusers. Population has increased for the second year in a row.
Apparent “new faces” in downtown. Alleyways seeing higher traffic than in the past.
Transit Center: Aggressive behaviors towards employees and customers. Dirty and filled with trash. Prostitution,
sanitation, dangerous behaviors, vandalism and aggressive attitudes towards other. Business owners scared to
walk in the area.
Lighthouse: Has been a good resources for businesses in identifying criminals. Although resources are needed it
has become an attractant. When the Lighthouse is closed, the population of vagrants increases.
Destruction of Property: Windows constantly scratched, tagging, rocks thrown through business windows, signs
damaged, landscaping destroyed etc.
South Tulare County Mobile Unit: Attractants of mentally ill and substance abusers. Don’t see positive impacts of
helping people in need.
Sanitation & Trash: Alleyways have become “highway” for homeless and vagrants. The population has increased.
The city doesn't have a way to keep people out of trash. Locks and other devices recommended by city don’t work.
Illegal dumping and removal of trash is constant along with human waste.
Requests: A business had called 911 and non-emergency number on 2-24-16. Business never saw police officers and
assumed they never came out. The Chamber contacted Julia Franco and learned that officer did respond. The Chamber
notified the business.
A business experienced a recent theft. The suspect had been caught on camera for another theft. The Downtown
Association notified other downtown businesses and shared the video.
Multiple businesses want action taken in downtown to solve these safety issues. Solutions and strategies are wanted vs
just hearing about the problems. A Business Safety Meeting was scheduled for business owners to meet and talk
with the Tulare PD. Solutions and strategies being worked on by Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Association.
Businesses Visited (56):
A Chic Boutique
A&W
Aaron's
ACE Cash Express (MoneyGram)
Antiques and More
Blevins Law Group
Brazil's Litigation Support
Brett Stuber, CPA
CASA Tierra Realty
Christopher Harbour, DDS
Citizens Business Bank
Coco Loco
Colleen's Services
Colleen's Services
Costa Azul
Cricket Wireless
Dave Barnes Insurance
Dollar Tree
Drive In Liquor Mart
First Step Nutrition
Fitness Evolution
Furniture Interior
Grocery Outlet
H&R Block
Hazel's Kitchen
HSS Insurance Services
Ida's Direct mtg.
Irene's Hope Chest
Kimmy’s
Limitless Sports Nutrition
Lino Pimentel
Mc Donald’s
Mid Valley Property Management
Mid-Valley Property Mgt.
Mitch Choboian Real Estate
Motor Cars Inc.
MVE
Phillips Law Firm
Pho 99
Rancho Grande
Renee Soto / State Farm
Rite Aid
Round Table
Smoke Shop
Sozinho Insurance
Starting Lineup
Sterling & Smith
Sunland Insurance
TCFCU
T-Shirts & More
Tulare Family Resource Center
Tulare Glass
Tulare Shoe Repair
United AG/Sunshine Sanitation
Valley Business Bank
West America Bank
Team Tulare Walkers:
1. Ben Brubaker, Tulare Chamber of Commerce
2. Rachel Souza, Tulare Chamber of Commerce
3. Toni-Marie Faria, Tulare Chamber of Commerce
4. Teresa Menezes, Chamber Board Member
5. Sandi Miller, Work Force Investment Board
6. Marquisa Pickering, Employment Connection
7. Harley Roberts, SBDC Consultant
8. Kurt Hardcastle, SBDC Consultant
9. John Harman, Tulare Downtown Association
10. Arlene Young, Tulare Downtown Association
Next Business Walk: May 17, 10 a.m. RSVP to [email protected] or call (559)686-1547. For questions about the
Business Walk or Team Tulare, email Ben Brubaker, [email protected] or call (559) 686-1547.