LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Downtown businesses continue to be targeted by thieves.
On Thursday night, Las Vegas Metro Police said a business on the 700 block of Fremont was targeted by four teenagers who stole merchandise from the store. However, the City of Las Vegas has rolled out new grant money to help businesses in the downtown area boost their security measures.
According to the city $250,000 will be given out in this round of grants.
“It is imperative that we continue to improve our security measures because of the ongoing violence, like the trend of activity around this area, we have a lot of unhoused people or people getting too happy going to the bars,” said Carlos Corral, co-owner of Tacotarian.
The eatery was already approved during the first round of grants and updated their surveillance cameras with that money. However, Corral is hoping to apply again to add new measures, now that the city is offering the grant money up front.
“Sometimes the capital to front those expenses is not there sometimes,” Corral said.
Unlike the previous times when the city has approved grants and businesses would have to cough up the cost first, this time, councilmembers approved for each business to get $5,000 upfront if they are qualified for the grant.
“Especially right now, as the clientele isn’t coming steadily as in the past, they are facing economic challenges. Now, we can put money in their pocket sooner, so that they can make this change that will help keep their business storefront,” councilmember Olivia Diaz said.
First-time applicants like Dane Pretkus were eager to apply as his business was recently hit with a theft.
“Just this last week, Horse Trailer Hideout had a tricycle bar taken out of our backyard, estimated at $3,000 for a small business like ours, that’s a big hit,” said Pretkus, owner of Horse Trailer Hideout and Stadium Bar.
Pretkus said if approved, he already has a plan in place to buy high-definition security cameras and add tinted windows.
Not too far away, Becky Miller, owner of Main Street Mercantile and president of The Las Vegas Arts District, had thousands of dollars of fencing put in her back lot with the help of the city.
“Well, I don’t have people jumping my fence and stealing things anymore, so that’s nice,” Miller said.
Miller hopes small businesses in the area take advantage of what the city is offering and apply for the grant.
Businesses that qualify must be along the greater downtown Las Vegas area east of Interstate 15, south of Washington Avenue, north of Sahara Avenue, and west of Maryland Parkway. It also includes the corridors along Charleston Boulevard, Martin L. King Jr. Boulevard, and Eastern Avenue.
As well as Sahara from I-15 to Decatur Boulevard, Charleston from Rancho Drive to Rainbow Boulevard and Decatur from Sahara to U.S. 95/I-11.
The grants will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested business owners can apply here.
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