More Santa Monica businesses board up amid crime, homelessness: ‘Mayor, we need your help’

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Frustration is mounting among business owners in Santa Monica where incidents of crime and widespread homelessness are affecting daily operations for the coastal community. 

The normally bustling Wilshire Boulevard, famous for its variety of eateries and shops, has become a focal point for the community's growing distress. Business owners along the street are grappling with a spike in crime and the increasing presence of homelessness that's transforming the vibe of the once-vibrant area. They report frequent instances of vandalism, theft, and more serious crimes that are impacting the community.

"Mayor, we need your help. We need your help in this area," said Sean James, an independent contractor who runs a business in Santa Monica.

James issued a desperate plea to Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock in an interview with FOX 11’s Ed Laskos. "Please come and help us."

"It’s like a horror movie," he added.

Nearby, empty buildings and vomiting on the streets mark a decline in the area’s condition, exacerbating the challenges businesses face.

James said dealing with violent people has become an everyday hurdle.

To combat break-ins, including three recent burglaries at a single establishment, some shops have resorted to installing metal gates and buzzer entry systems to prevent unauthorized access.

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Other businesses in the area are vacant or have boarded up windows from smash-and-grab robberies as shop owners are doing what they can to survive. 

"We put up metal gates, which helps. Last year, we put in a buzzer, so no one can walk into the store, they have to be buzzed in," said Santa Monica shop owner, Andrea Waters. 

Some business owners claimed that because of increased crime in the area, police aren't responding to 911 calls.

FOX 11 reached out to the SMPD about a specific complaint from a businessowner, who claimed that they called 911 to complain about a homeless person who was allegedly attacking people and exposing himself. The businessowner said officers never responded, but according to the SMPD, officers were on the scene less than 30 minutes after the 911 call, and said that the homeless man was gone by the time officers got there. 

"The dispatcher who took the call indicated in the call tag that the reporting party did not want contact," Lt. Erika Aklufi said in an email to FOX 11. "The officers spent approximately 15 minutes in the area before clearing the call as Gone on Arrival.

Generally speaking, when officers are unable to locate a subject, they will only reach out to the reporting party if they say they want contact."

Adding to the safety concerns, a recent incident near the beach involved a homeless man who was arrested after allegedly attempting to rape a woman as she sunbathed near the Santa Monica Pier. This has underscored the sense of urgency for solutions.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman sexually assaulted in broad daylight while sunbathing near Santa Monica Pier; suspect arrested

Financial strains are evident too, as highlighted by James, who is struggling to justify a $20,000 monthly rent while his business suffers. Business owners believe the stark drop in revenue is attributed to customers being too apprehensive to visit the area.

The struggles afflicting Santa Monica are not isolated, but they do shine a light on the pressing need for the city's leaders to provide viable solutions for both the hard-hit businesses and the factors fueling the increases in crime.

Are you or someone you know a recent survivor of sexual assault? Help is available. Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) provides a 24/7 national sexual assault hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.

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