KC business owner turns to city after employee becomes victim of crime

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Mike Schroeder, co-owner of Oddly Correct in Hyde Park, posted a post on his company's Instagram stories last week saying one of his employees was robbed at gunpoint.

The post criticized Mayor Quinton Lucas and the city of Kansas City, Missouri, saying, “We are tired of people being victims of violent crime in our city. What will you do about this relentless wave of violent crime in our city?”

“Our city” is very important to Schroeder as a resident and business owner and he said that was also the reason why he spread the call on social media in the first place.

“I think it's just frustration. Aside from the fact that we're a business, when you see how many people have been victims of violent crimes this past summer alone,” he said. “… It feels like someone has to start saying they're upset.”

Schroeder said he spoke for the employees because they were too shocked.

When the employee was walking home one night, his glasses, medication, money and identification were stolen. They were physically unharmed, but Schroeder said the trauma made them afraid to leave and live in the area.

He added that he had learned that one of his regular customers had also been the victim of a violent crime.

The neighboring Anchor Island Coffee was broken into last month. This was not her first criminal experience.

CLAIRE BRADSHAW/KSHB

Kansas City, Missouri police told KSHB 41 News that they have not yet arrested anyone in connection with the break-in.

Schroeder said Oddly Correct moved from Westport to Hyde Park in 2021. In Westport, he gave his employees stun guns for protection, he said.

After they moved, their new neighborhood seemed pretty quiet. But Schroeder said he's noticed an increase in crime this summer that goes beyond petty theft.

“Little, annoying things like things being taken off our patio and stuff like that … that happens, that doesn't bother me,” Schroeder said. “But as someone who tries to provide a safe place for both our customers and our employees, it bothers me that our people don't feel safe.”

Schroeder doesn't believe that increasing police force in the area will completely solve the crime problem. He wants the city to focus on prevention and offering help to people with substance abuse, poverty and homelessness.

“These are the things that drive people to despair and cause them to harm other people,” Schroeder said.

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KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.