Property crime continues to impact Waldo businesses and customers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some business owners in Kansas City’s Waldo neighborhood are increasingly frustrated with recent property crime.

Becky Hamrick, the owner of Bobby Baker’s Lounge in Waldo, says that property crimes like car break-ins and theft have been on the rise.

An incident that happened on Saturday raised even more concerns.

Surveillance footage shared with FOX4 from outside Bobby Baker’s Lounge Saturday shows someone pulling on the door of a car parked outside the bar.

“A customer of mine was in the bar and we have a video camera that everybody can see. So she saw a car pulling in the wrong way, reached out of their car, and pulled on the handle of a customer’s car,” Hamrick explained.

“So they went running out to try and scare them off. The people in the red car pulled around, came over there, and pulled three assault rifles on my customers and basically said, ‘Do you want to die?’”

Nobody was hurt in that incident, but it has raised safety concerns.

“We all want everybody to feel safe, and this isn’t typical of Waldo or Brookside, and, like I said, it’s getting out of control, and it’s time for our city councilwoman to step in and try and help us. We’ve been crying for help since this construction started, and now this,” Hamrick said.

Hamrick is in touch with other Waldo business owners facing similar challenges.

“The safety of my employees and all my customers is huge. That’s why we are starting to speak out,” Hamrick explained. “City Gym, Jovito’s and Crows Coffee, some of the other businesses, and I are getting together and trying to figure out what we can do as individual business owners to combat this.”

On Wednesday, Brookside and Waldo residents met with law enforcement and the Jackson County Prosecutor to discuss crime in the area and ways to prevent it.

During that meeting, a detective said if you see someone attempting to break into a car or commit another crime, call the police and don’t approach the suspects.

“It is a very stressful situation for all of us, and I want everybody to feel safe,” Hamrick said.

“I grew up in this neighborhood. I went to school up the street. Everybody just wants to feel safe in their own home and their own neighborhood.“

Hamrick said property crime is not just affecting businesses but neighborhoods and residents too.

“It’s getting out of control. Neighborhoods are being targeted as well. Cars are getting stolen out of their driveways. We’ve had enough,” Hamrick said.

“I definitely think it would be helpful if the police could be more on top of it, but I understand they’re understaffed,” said Jim Wirtz, who lives in the Waldo neighborhood.

”I think personally, what we can do is keep an eye on things, take pictures or videos, and make sure that gets to the proper authorities.”

If you see suspicious activity, report it to the Police Department. Always lock your car and don’t leave valuables inside.

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