Letter: Reduced Police Force Leaves Businesses Vulnerable

In my 30 years as a Redondo Beach business owner, I have never felt this discouraged about the problems facing merchants along the Pacific Coast Highway business corridor.

Two years ago, robbers entered my store in broad daylight, at gunpoint, bound and beat me then ransacked my business. Months earlier a nearby merchant suffered a similar violent, daytime robbery. Police caught one suspect hiding near Parras Middle School.

Since then, the city has reduced (yes, reduced) police staffing, leaving merchants and local neighborhoods feeling even more vulnerable.

The adverse economic climate has increased the number of business failures and presence of the homeless in the area. Most shops in my location stand vacant; camps set up behind empty storefronts and panhandling on the sidewalk intimidate customers—a terrible environment for business.

Riviera Village business owners seem to get attention, while Pacific Coast Highway businesses get clobbered. I have watched 50 percent of my sales evaporate. I’d like to see a united business front between the Pacific Coast Highway corridor to Riviera Village.

City council candidate Kimberly Fine visited my store to discuss police staffing to improve both business conditions and residential neighborhood safety. She has reached out to local churches to work with the unfortunate homeless. She wants to work with all businesses—not just Riviera Village—to revitalize our commerce.

Voters please consider all the issues facing our city and elect council committed to the interest of all Redondo Beach businesses and residents. My business depends on this climate change. Am I alone?

Vicki Anson
Vicki’s Antiques & Fine Art
Redondo Beach

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