Construction and Crime

Burglary Construction Since construction began on Florida Street in Mobile businesses in that area have suffered lower-than-normal sales. Now some are being targeted by criminals.

by Chad Petri

Published: Fri, February 08, 2008 - 5:38 am CST Last Updated: Fri, February 08, 2008 - 8:25 am CST

As construction continues on Florida Street, there's something missing. T.P. Crockmiers is missing two speakers. Someone broke into their patio last month, with security cameras watching. The owner says it's the first burglary they can remember. At Mrs. Wheat's Sweet Treats it's even worse. Burglars hit them three times last month, starting on January 8th.

“It seemed like something was amiss,” says owner Julie Wheat. “I wasn't sure what it was and when I walked into the next unit next door in the retail side I realized my cash register was gone.”

Thieves swiped her TV, radio and cooking supplies. She says she's suffered about $18,000 dollars in losses and had to temporarily close.

“I'm actually not completely reopen,” says Wheat. “I'm just operating on a day to day basis.”

The first two times thieves actually barged in through this door, that's why Mrs. Wheat replaced it with a wooden plank. They got in a third time through a small window.

“We didn't think anybody could get through those windows and they kicked that in and came in that way and that's when they got more stuff, “says Wheat.

She says she's been very depressed. Her sales are depressing too. She says Christmas numbers, which keep most businesses afloat, were down by half this year.

“We're dependent on walk-ins,” says Wheat. “When you don't have that through traffic you don't have any walk-ins.”

Wheat says she hopes wholesale business tides her over during this slow time of the year and insurance should help recoup some of the losses. She's been in this shop for 16 years and this is the first time she's been a victim of crime.

“I feel like we've just been shut off from the rest of the city,” says Wheat. “I don't know how to explain it you feel like we've been just forgotten.”

WKRG.com » News Stream » Local