Long Beach business owners are hoping the city will implement new safety measures after multiple vehicles crashed into their businesses.
Emily Yep, owner of Magnolia and Willow, an antique store in Long Beach, has had three vehicles crash into her store in the past eight months.
“There was a disaster internally,” Yep told KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw. “Most of the items that were broken this time were glass and ceramics.”
Yep says the city of Long Beach needs to do more to protect businesses. She is concerned about the safety of her employees and she feels it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt in her own store.
“The stress and anxiety this is causing me and my family is indescribable,” Yep said.
The city installed a temporary fence outside her store, but that didn’t prevent the modern vehicles from damaging her business.
“From her perspective, improvements need to happen now, and I agree,” said Long Beach City Clerk Eric Lopez. “We have applied for a $20 million grant from the federal government and have not yet received it.”
Yep says it’s alarming that his store has been damaged so many times. She is dissatisfied with the city’s inaction.
“It’s insane that the city expects us to live like this,” Yep said. “How can we do business in this kind of environment?”
Employees are also concerned about their own safety.
“Everywhere we crashed, it was a close call,” Mariah Perez said. “We could have stood there.”
Video obtained by KTLA shows a July 4 incident in which a vehicle crashes through the front of the store. Yep said she worries that if the city doesn’t do more to stop drivers speeding at intersections, innocent bystanders could be hurt or worse. To tell.
“How do I safely walk my baby in a stroller?” Yeah, I said it. “Is it okay if I bring my 4-year-old son here?”
City Council members acknowledge that temporary fencing is insufficient to keep businesses and employees safe. Officials say safety at the intersection will be their top priority going forward.
