Avondale Smash & Grabs

[alohameisha]

 
Matt, the dogs and I had a much more exciting walk than usual this morning. We walked through the shops of Avondale to find a few police cars. As we past West Inn and Casbah we saw a broken glass door at Armor and the whole shops area seemed way more awake at 5:45am than usual. More lights on, more people, more action then the usual joggers and walkers. As we got near the Fox we saw that it's door was also smashed out and clean-up by employees had begun. A little further and it was Peterbrooke with a smashed glass door and next door at the Hobbie Horse Children's clothing store a giant glass window was ruined (the second time in a month). There is a possible suspect posted on the windows from when this happened last month but I suspect it could be someone different. The real disturbing issue is that this person is getting nothing out of this. As most people know cash is not kept in a store and nowadays most people pay by plastic anyway.

It was absolutely upsetting to see this great area trashed and even more upsetting to learn after talking with the owner of Hobbie Horse that this general area has had 22 incidents like this in the past 90 days! I have not heard one peep about this via the news. Perhaps I missed the write up or tv coverage. Perhaps people want to keep it quiet because they think people will be scared. Either way I felt the need to alert everyone I could think of and hopefully we can bring some light to this. My fear is that shop owners will grow tired of replacing their expensive doors and windows and will opt to move elsewhere or just close up shop. The value in our historic neighborhoods depends heavily on the services available in that area.

I wouldn't mind suggestions of things we can do to keep Avondale, Riverside, Downtown and San Marco safe. I know the police are overwhelmed with crime but something must be done and maybe it's up to the residents to make our neighborhoods safe. Most of these areas are really booming and I would hate to see that change. Keep an eye out for you, your neighbors and local merchants that is what makes these areas neighborhoods. Pass along to your friends and family in the area.

Meisha

[Pavers]

Seems like hiring an off-duty officer or other form of nightime security may be a wise collective investment of the merchants in Avondale.  Have the person work from 11pm to 6am.  Let's say it's $200/night (which seems expensive but is a nice round number) - over 365 days that's $73,500.

How many merchants are there on that strip?  50?  If so, that's $1500 per year or less than $5 per day per merchant.  If mischevious activity is a problem, that's doesn't seem like too steep a price to pay to snuff it out.

[reednavy]

I noticed plywood over the closed Chico's store, kinda scratched my head, but keep drivin on in my truck. I love that area, very small town feeling/ I hope they catch the bastards, shows this city is full of thugs and criminals, lets just round them up. Put them in a caged building in the Northside and let em kill each other. The police need to get their asses in gear. These property tax cuts have actually hurt more than good IMO.

[lindab]

Seems like hiring an off-duty officer or other form of nightime security may be a wise collective investment of the merchants in Avondale. 

I think that is a good solution for these poor merchants. Maybe the perps can be caught.
It seems strange that the local news stations haven't reported this latest round of damage.

[RiversideGator]

I noticed plywood over the closed Chico's store, kinda scratched my head, but keep drivin on in my truck. I love that area, very small town feeling/ I hope they catch the bastards, shows this city is full of thugs and criminals, lets just round them up. Put them in a caged building in the Northside and let em kill each other. The police need to get their asses in gear. These property tax cuts have actually hurt more than good IMO.

What property tax cuts?  Those havent even been approved yet and I am sure local governments can become more efficient in any event.  I support additional sales taxes over property taxes personally.

BTW, this gentleman better not try this in my area.  My neighbors are heavily armed.

[fsujax]

I saw this on the news last night.  Apparently, it has been happening in San Marco as well. This is sad, that people feel that have to do something like this.

[alohameisha]

Whoever is doing it got the Fox again last night! Didn't even try to take anything just broke the window. This is so sad especially b/c I have to say that JSO has definately become visible. Perhaps last night they smashed the window then booked it b/c they saw the undercover cars. I talked to the Fox crew this morning on my walk and they will be replacing a $275 plate glass door like they did last week. Really makes you wonder what is wrong with some people. 

[mtraininjax]

Why not install a video camera? They are small enough and can be installed for next to nothing, compared to hiring off duty cops. Also, JEA has 200 watt lights for $10 a month for commercial accounts. They light up the store front like you would not believe.

There are options besides burying the head in the sand.

[midnightblackrx]

Sounds like the work of some teenagers.  If I were a merchant I might try and round up some other store owners in the area for a stakeout of my own.