I am a resident and business owner in Mid-town and I am becoming more and more concerned about the continuous string of armed robberies here. It seems like over the past two years, they have become more and more frequent. Some of these businesses have been robbed more than once. What is going on here? The Korbet Square shopping center seems to be a hot spot for these robberies. And let me remind you folks, these aren't petty thefts...these individuals carry weapons and have placed them to the heads of store employees threatening to kill them. It is getting ridiculous. Let me again remind you, THESE CRIMINALS ARE ARMED WITH GUNS when they do this. Perhaps the Mobile Police Department could step up and double the patrols in this area? Perhaps security cameras could be installed to help monitor the shops from the police station? Maybe the police or a security company could have someone designated on patrol only for this area during business hours. Maybe a more pronounced police presence would help deter this type of violent crime. This problem is just getting worse and these criminals are violent. I want to see something done about this problem... Am I alone here or does anyone else share my views? I welcome your opinions and suggestions...whatever they may be. Thanks!

I think this shopping center is being targeted by someone who uses it's location to their advantage for some reason. I have read that they take the surveillance equipment with them to help from being identified, so why not decoy the recorder with another one or send surveillance images to a hard drive (computer) off premises? I hope these thugs get caught before they strike again.

I feel for you, it must be an awful feeling to live in fear. I've known several people who have lived in downtown Mobile. Many have told me the same things, large ferns/planting disappear, and everything needs to be chained down or locked. Sell your house, Middle to West Mobile is great.

Downtown Mobile is as safe as West Mobile. aka..."Far East Methissippi".

2652 - 28 February 2008 07:50 PM

I feel for you, it must be an awful feeling to live in fear. I've known several people who have lived in downtown Mobile. Many have told me the same things, large ferns/planting disappear, and everything needs to be chained down or locked. Sell your house, Middle to West Mobile is great.

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it "living in fear"... but I have to admit that I am more concerned (and cautious) now than I have ever been before. It is ridiculous and sad that I cannot leave the doors to my workshop unlocked while I run to the hardware store for supplies...or leave a weed-eater on my front porch while I go inside for a glass of water...only to walk back outside and find that it has been stolen. Solar powered lawn lights? GONE! What are these people doing with this stuff anyway? I have considered moving, but you know, I have put so much into restoring this house and making it a home...but I guess it's not much of a home if I have to live like this...right? Crime just keeps getting worse and worse in Mobile. Friday and Saturday nights it sounds like Iraq...gun shots popping periodically in the distance...then sirens. Now it seems like even weeknights are getting their fair share of combat. I have a VERY extensive alarm system on my home now...notice, I said "extensive" meaning sensors, triggers, cameras etc.... It's some comfort knowing that at least I tried to take preventative measures. Almost everyone in Mid-town has a dog...want to know why? Granted, people love animals, but they are the best alarm and theft deterrent out there. I am truly not a violent person, but out of shear self preservation, I am "well equipped" to protect our lives and what my wife and I have worked so hard for...and I guess thats the best I can do for now.

We have a store in the Loop area as well and are obviously very concerned about the security in the area!
Last week we read that one of the individuals was arrested at Starbucks and he may of given up the others but this week we hear that the DA has decided not to pursue a conviction!

AND THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM! When Cash Advance got robbed the first time, I was talking with the police officers on the scene. They said that most of the people that they catch, are released and are right back out commiting crimes again. It is not the police officers fault, but our legal system is to blame. These officers put their lives on the line daily and all of their hard work is thrown right out the window when they apprehend one of these thugs. In fact, I later found out that one of the criminals had just been released for...you guessed it...ARMED ROBBERY. So, if there is no punishment, then what is there to deter these thugs from committing these crimes? I say that when they are caught, MAKE THEM DO HARD TIME...MANUAL LABOR. I don't care WHAT it is, just make sure it is difficult and unpleasant. They can live outdoors like animals...in a cage...because thats what they deserve. If you want to act like an animal, then you will be treated like one. You can eat dog food three times a day...in your outdoor cage...because after all, you behaved like an animal. You can drink water from a stainless steel bowl...outside...in your cage...because, hey, you chose to act like an animal. Oh wait, let me guess, that is cruel and unusual punishment? Too many people are sypmpathetic to criminals and are quick to defend them and their "feelings"...their..."rights". Let me tell you something, as far as I am concerned, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS. You stick a gun to the head of the mother of two young children and tell her your gonna "blow her brains out" because you want money??? Sorry, but you just lost your rights. That poor girl lives in fear EVERYDAY...even when she sleeps...she is tormented. Now, THAT is cruel and unusual punishment. And still, no one seems to care...do you know why? Because it can't happen to them...it only happens to other people. If things keep on going this way, eventually it will happen to them. It is not a matter of "if", it is simply a matter of "when". You need to wake up and realize that not everyone can or wants to be rehabilitated. Our justice system treats these thugs like babies...and they smile on camera when they are arrested...because they know it is a joke. And yet, for some reason, no one seems to notice this... or simply doesn't care. Sorry about my rant...I apologize if I offended anyone, that certainly was not my intention.