Business owners said replacement windows would cost more than $700, but the thieves only had to take a few items.
ST. LOUIS — Business owners in Solado say they are tired of break-ins and tired of having to fix windows and doors over and over again.
Cat’s Meow bar in Sollard was the worst hit.
“It’s a shame because we’re all working so hard to survive,” said Ken Ortman, co-owner of Cat’s Meow.
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Shortly after the Cat Meow was shut down early Sunday morning, surveillance video showed four people going to great lengths to gain entry through the front window.
“In fact, I still have the rock they threw at the glass, and it bounced back twice before they started kicking the bottom of the glass before it opened. The safety glass went in. So when it breaks, it doesn’t shatter and remains whole,” Ortmann said.
The thieves took only small change, a carton of cigarettes, a lighter, a bottle of Tylenol, and two open bottles of liquor. Fortunately, we were able to welcome customers back that same day.
“As soon as we had a good clean, it was open the whole time my son and I were in the car,” Ortman said.
Before attacking Cat’s Meow, the thieves tried to break into Big Daddy’s house around the corner, but this time they were unsuccessful. They were able to get inside about a month ago.
“It’s really annoying to have to worry about the security of an already secure building. But my point is, most of these people, what they’re doing is no better than what they’ve received. Just the fact that it’s causing a lot of damage,” Big Daddy’s owner John Viruch said.
Both business owners said they did everything they could, including installing more security cameras, alarms, lights and safety glass, and continued monitoring. Now they need more action from the city.
“All the officers are here. I love them. They’re always proactive and very helpful. It seems like we need more,” Viruch said.
Luke Reynolds, president of the Thorado Special Business District and owner of Morley’s, said the district is part of a special taxing district that funds safety efforts.
“Most of the funding will go directly to additional patrols through secondary security companies,” Reynolds said.
He said many of the crimes occurring in their area these days are committed by juveniles or very young adults.
“I think we need more police, but I also think we need more youth programs and things like that. This isn’t just a punitive system, it’s trying to fix it before it happens. It has to be something,” Reynolds said.
All three business owners said this was more expensive and a nuisance than anything else, and they didn’t want their customers to think the area was unsafe because it wasn’t actually standard.
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