Starbucks closing prompts concerns about downtown Indianapolis safety

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A metropolis authorities spokesperson mentioned Friday that downtown Indianapolis stays protected after the Starbucks coffeehouse on Monument Circle cited security as a purpose for its closing Oct. 28.

Starbucks, in response to a press release issued Friday, “routinely opinions” its shops to see whether or not they’re “thriving” and to find out if staff, which it calls “companions,” “really feel supported” in serving prospects.

The Starbucks assertion on the closing of the placement on the southeast quadrant of Monument Circle mentioned, partly, “Our first precedence is to ensure our companions are protected at work. We are going to proceed to work to guarantee that companions can concentrate on crafting beautiful drinks and creating connections in a protected, heat, and welcoming setting.”

Mark Bode, the director of communications for the town authorities, despatched a press release, too. He famous the downtown police district is the most secure in Marion County. He additionally cited the 97% housing occupancy fee and $3.8 billion in deliberate financial growth.

Starbucks additionally operates downtown places within the Hyatt Regency at 1 S. Capitol Ave., and within the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District at 430 Massachusetts Ave.

Brian Mowery, the minority chief on the Indianapolis-Marion County Metropolis-County Council, issued a press release on behalf of himself and 4 different Republican council members. It mentioned, partly, “For years now, we’ve been saying that this metropolis must get severe about public security, and now companies are closing on Monument Circle as a result of we can’t preserve it protected. It’s time for the prosecutor, mayor, and council to come back collectively to attempt to repair this drawback earlier than it will get worse. We can’t wait to behave.”

Kim Nething owns Rocket Fizz, which sells soda, sweet and novelty gadgets only a couple doorways down from Starbucks on Monument Circle. “If I hear a couple of enterprise leaving downtown Indianapolis due to crime and issues of safety, there’s extra to it than that,” she mentioned.

She mentioned she has by no means skilled a significant drawback with crime within the 10 years she’s owned her enterprise though she has a security plan in place for workers in case one thing occurs.

Nething mentioned, “I’ve police that are available in my store not solely as prospects commonly however they arrive in commonly simply to test on us.”

CNN reported in July that as a consequence of “a excessive quantity of difficult incidents that make it unsafe to proceed to function,” Starbucks was closing 16 places in Seattle; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and Portland, Oregon. The choice got here as Starbucks’ interim CEO labored to vary the corporate tradition.

A letter issued July 11 to staff famous they’re “seeing firsthand the challenges going through our communities — private security, racism, lack of entry to healthcare, a rising psychological well being disaster, rising drug use, and extra,” they wrote, including that “with shops in hundreds of communities throughout the nation, we all know these challenges can, at occasions, play out inside our shops too.”

Within the July letter, Starbucks execs additionally famous that they routinely learn staff’ quite a few incident experiences. Consequently, the corporate execs mentioned they’ll provide staff new coaching alternatives that included find out how to cope with active-shooter conditions. The corporate additionally deliberate to supply staff extra psychological well being advantages, entry to abortion care, readability round shifts and retailer insurance policies.

The corporate in June additionally introduced it might once more shut its restrooms to the general public.

Statements

“We routinely evaluate the companion and buyer expertise in our shops, to see if the shop is prospering, companions (staff) are feeling supported, and that we’re assembly buyer wants.  Our native leaders are, and have all the time been, empowered to make use of the numerous sources at their disposal to change retailer operations and create the very best expertise for our communities. However when obligatory, we’ll make the choice to shut a retailer.

“Our first precedence is to ensure our companions are protected at work. We are going to proceed to work to guarantee that companions can concentrate on crafting beautiful drinks and creating connections in a protected, heat, and welcoming setting.”

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Sam Jefferies, senior supervisor of name repute and disaster communications specialist for Starbucks

“The Metropolis continues to work with IMPD and stakeholders to maintain Downtown a protected and vibrant place to reside, work, and play. Because of that collaboration, in addition to funding in public security ambassadors, IMPD cameras, and expanded cleansing capability, Downtown stays the most secure district in Marion County. That has helped affect a 97% occupancy fee for housing items within the Downtown space; $3.8 billion in deliberate financial growth tasks; the continued attraction of main conventions yearly; and the opening of over 70 retail and restaurant companies final yr alone. On Monday night time the Metropolis-County Council will vote on Mayor Hogsett’s proposed 2023 finances, which options an unprecedented public security funding that helps fund 200 extra IMPD officer positions, will increase first-year officer pay, and continues to construct out sturdy regulation enforcement know-how infrastructure.”

Mark Bode, the director of communications for Indianapolis metropolis authorities