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Calling on the Administration to develop grant programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime.
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WHEREAS, As the City of Philadelphia continues to experience an epidemic of crime, the businesses Philadelphians rely on are assessing the risks of continuing to conduct business within the city. Large businesses such as Wawa have begun to close their doors in the Center City area due to crime and retail theft, specifically. In addition, countless small businesses are closing because of the effect retail theft is having on their location. If multimillion-dollar companies and small businesses alike are closing their doors, citizens from every neighborhood suffer; and
WHEREAS, In addition to businesses suffering from retail theft, restaurants and other similar locations are suffering as well. The James Beard Award winning restaurant "Cantina La Martina" located in Kensington is emblematic of this issue. Due to encampments established across the street from the restaurant, owners Dionicio Jim?nez and Mariangeli Alicea Saez cannot receive essential services for their business. Their main food supplier, fire alarm company, and even trash services have refused to service their business due to the state of the surrounding community. This is only one story among a multitude of similar accounts; and
WHEREAS, After the multiple episodes of organized retail theft the city experienced just two weeks ago, businesses have been rattled with repair costs, safety concerns, and loss of income. Large businesses can suffer a location closing, but for some, these businesses are their livelihood. Some have invested everything into providing goods and services to the City of Philadelphia. It is time that we invested in them; and
WHEREAS, Grant funding can provide a lifeline for businesses and restaurants that want to partake in Philadelphia's vibrant economy but are struggling as a result of crime in their surrounding communities or retail thef...
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