N4T Investigators: Midtown business owners demand action after recent crimes | News

TUCSON, Arizona (KVOA) – News 4 Tucson investigators have been showing you for months the difficulties small businesses face due to crime.

A group of small business owners in downtown Tucson told N4T investigators that they believe the situation has drastically worsened and they doubt their ability to continue their businesses.

Poe Kem is the owner of Alvernon Donuts in Alvernon, near 22nd Street. Lately, police have probably been investigating more crimes near his shop than enjoying donuts. Just a few weeks ago, someone smashed almost all of his shop's windows.

“In 22 years, I would say this is the worst of the worst,” Kem said.

Kem said they delayed the expensive repairs to figure out what enhanced safety measures they wanted to implement, a big expense for a small business.

“With all this activity, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay afloat and stay in business,” he said.

He sees homelessness and open drug use everywhere in the neighborhood.

“I’m trying to survive in this harsh environment,” he said.

N4T investigators also spoke with Ralph Aldecoa, manager of Excel Auto Repair near Fort Lowell and Stone. He also said crime in the area is worse than ever.

“This area definitely needs attention, otherwise everyone will close,” he explained.

Aldecoa provided News 4 Tucson investigators with surveillance video taken at the nearby Circle K on the corner of Stone and Ft. Lowell.

It shows a cashier being brutally beaten by an angry customer for no apparent reason.

Aldecoa knows the cashier and told us that he believes the supermarket has become a major nuisance to the neighborhood. He provided us with numerous police reports from the past few years, including murders, thefts, and disturbances that have been investigated there.

Last year, everything changed for him when his friend and former colleague Jorge Mendoza was shot in front of the same Circle K.

Aldecoa said Mendoza was shot five times but survived. We interviewed Mendoza, who now has no use of his left hand and can no longer work to provide for his family.

He told us that he was outside talking on the phone while buying a coffee when suddenly someone shot at him. His phone practically exploded in his hand, causing serious injuries.

“It touched me deeply because I used to drink coffee at the same place,” Aldecoa said.

At Excel Auto Repair, Aldecoa showed us the new security fence they installed to prevent repeat thefts and vandalism.

“We need this fence, otherwise people will jump over it, steal things and break into people's cars,” he explained.

News 4 Tucson Investigators recently interviewed Tucson Police leadership following several shootings. In an exclusive interview, Captain Doug Foster told us that overall crime continues to decline, but the number of shootings is increasing.

Captain Foster said the TPD is pursuing several new approaches to reduce violent crime.

Aldecoa is not convinced that there will be any positive changes for small business owners any time soon, as many of the crimes they face are classified as minor.

He said many people who called 911 for nonviolent crimes received a slow or no response.

“It has definitely gotten a lot worse working here and being in the area,” he said.

Captain Foster explained to us that it is vital that residents report suspected crimes to them so they can collect accurate data, which is a critical part of their approach to reducing crime.

“If we are to act based on evidence, we need your input. We need the data to know when and where these incidents are happening. Without the calls from the public, we have no data,” Foster said.

Aldecoa believes officers are doing their best, but would like city leaders to do more to combat the root causes of crime.

If you have a story you would like News 4 Tucson investigators to investigate, email us at [email protected] or call our tip line at 520-955-4444.