EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — In today’s Community Conversation, a spokesperson for the Business Group for a Safer Las Cruces appeared on KFOX14 Morning News to talk about the crime they’re trying to eliminate in La Cruces businesses.
Vic Villalobos and Donna Stryker of the group explained why they started the project.
“There was a lot going on in Las Cruces, so as business owners and property owners we had concerns about crime, homelessness and property destruction,” Streicker said.
Stryker said he has been a business owner for 13 years and Villalobos for about 20 years.
Villalobos said LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez was killed on the corner of his property.
Villalobos said the case was a harbinger of bringing to light the seriousness of the problem.
Villalobos said he and Stryker have begun discussions with other business owners.
“We didn’t realize how bad it was,” Villalobos said. “We realized we needed to come together to make a difference.”
Villalobos said the main issues are trespassing, assaults, trespassing and vandalism.
Businesses For a Safer Las Cruces meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
The group has a list of businesses that support law enforcement by providing discounts and rest areas.
Businesses For a Safer Las Cruces has a Facebook group the community can join.
Watch the full interview:
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