BUSINESS WALK REPORT

April 2016

J Street to L Street and Cross Street to Tulare Ave

On behalf of Team Tulare and our partners, the information below is provided as a report on the activities and out-

comes related to our monthly Business Walks. The purpose of the Business Walks is to increase awareness and improve

communications between Team Tulare and its partners, including the City and business owners. Our goal is to identify

needs, challenges and opportunities for local businesses and to provide services and resources when necessary.

Business Walk Date:

April 7, 2016

9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.

Summary of Input & Requests: 1. Businesses willingly provided input on issues surrounding overall unsafe feeling of customers, staff and owners: “We are moving,” “Theft is rampant”. 2. Other concerns included: Transit center, property owners lack of care, communication with city and dumpster issues. 3. Businesses were appreciative of the visit and for the Information on the upcoming Business Safety Meeting.

Business Feedback: Team Tulare asked two basic questions: “What challenges do you face doing business in downtown Tulare?” “How can we help your business succeed?” The majority of businesses all began by complaining about the “homeless issue”. When asked about specific encounters, businesses related experiences ranging from people sleeping on or

around their property, public nudity, public intoxication, multiple thefts, break-ins, vandalism, aggressive panhandling,

intimidation, excess trash, illegal dumping and human waste. When asked what can be done to help businesses, the

overwhelming response was communication. Businesses feel they have no one to reach out to for help. Many of them

feel stuck in downtown or are actively looking for other locations. Comments below are listed in order of volume:

Safety: Businesses locking doors during the day out of fear. Employees leaving in groups and being escorted to

cars. Aggressive encounters with vagrants and panhandlers. Retaliation from vagrants when police are called or

action taken. Homeless entering businesses and locking doors or blocking entrance.

Homeless: Using the planter boxes, sides of buildings and walkways as restrooms. Removing clothing and

standing in entrance ways. Scaring customers with aggressive panhandling. Police and businesses not equipped to

deal with mental health issues and substance abusers. Population has increased for the second year in a row.

Apparent “new faces” in downtown. Alleyways seeing higher traffic than in the past.

Transit Center: Aggressive behaviors towards employees and customers. Dirty and filled with trash. Prostitution,

sanitation, dangerous behaviors, vandalism and aggressive attitudes towards other. Business owners scared to

walk in the area.

Lighthouse: Has been a good resources for businesses in identifying criminals. Although resources are needed it

has become an attractant. When the Lighthouse is closed, the population of vagrants increases.

Destruction of Property: Windows constantly scratched, tagging, rocks thrown through business windows, signs

damaged, landscaping destroyed etc.

South Tulare County Mobile Unit: Attractants of mentally ill and substance abusers. Don’t see positive impacts of

helping people in need.

Sanitation & Trash: Alleyways have become “highway” for homeless and vagrants. The population has increased.

The city doesn't have a way to keep people out of trash. Locks and other devices recommended by city don’t work.

Illegal dumping and removal of trash is constant along with human waste.

Requests: A business had called 911 and non-emergency number on 2-24-16. Business never saw police officers and

assumed they never came out. The Chamber contacted Julia Franco and learned that officer did respond. The Chamber

notified the business.

A business experienced a recent theft. The suspect had been caught on camera for another theft. The Downtown

Association notified other downtown businesses and shared the video.

Multiple businesses want action taken in downtown to solve these safety issues. Solutions and strategies are wanted vs

just hearing about the problems. A Business Safety Meeting was scheduled for business owners to meet and talk

with the Tulare PD. Solutions and strategies being worked on by Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Association.

Businesses Visited (56):

A Chic Boutique

A&W

Aaron's

ACE Cash Express (MoneyGram)

Antiques and More

Blevins Law Group

Brazil's Litigation Support

Brett Stuber, CPA

CASA Tierra Realty

Christopher Harbour, DDS

Citizens Business Bank

Coco Loco

Colleen's Services

Colleen's Services

Costa Azul

Cricket Wireless

Dave Barnes Insurance

Dollar Tree

Drive In Liquor Mart

First Step Nutrition

Fitness Evolution

Furniture Interior

Grocery Outlet

H&R Block

Hazel's Kitchen

HSS Insurance Services

Ida's Direct mtg.

Irene's Hope Chest

Kimmy’s

Limitless Sports Nutrition

Lino Pimentel

Mc Donald’s

Mid Valley Property Management

Mid-Valley Property Mgt.

Mitch Choboian Real Estate

Motor Cars Inc.

MVE

Phillips Law Firm

Pho 99

Rancho Grande

Renee Soto / State Farm

Rite Aid

Round Table

Smoke Shop

Sozinho Insurance

Starting Lineup

Sterling & Smith

Sunland Insurance

TCFCU

T-Shirts & More

Tulare Family Resource Center

Tulare Glass

Tulare Shoe Repair

United AG/Sunshine Sanitation

Valley Business Bank

West America Bank

Team Tulare Walkers:

1. Ben Brubaker, Tulare Chamber of Commerce

2. Rachel Souza, Tulare Chamber of Commerce

3. Toni-Marie Faria, Tulare Chamber of Commerce

4. Teresa Menezes, Chamber Board Member

5. Sandi Miller, Work Force Investment Board

6. Marquisa Pickering, Employment Connection

7. Harley Roberts, SBDC Consultant

8. Kurt Hardcastle, SBDC Consultant

9. John Harman, Tulare Downtown Association

10. Arlene Young, Tulare Downtown Association

Next Business Walk: May 17, 10 a.m. RSVP to rsouza@tularechamber.org or call (559)686-1547. For questions about the

Business Walk or Team Tulare, email Ben Brubaker, bbrubaker@tularechamber.org or call (559) 686-1547.