Resolution 230705

..Title Calling on the Administration to develop grant programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime. ..Body WHEREAS, As the City of Philadelphia continues to experience an epidemic of crime, the businesses Philadelphians rely on are assessing the risks of continuing to conduct business within the city. Large businesses such as Wawa have begun to close their doors in the Center City area due to crime and retail theft, specifically. In addition, countless small businesses are closing because of the effect retail theft is having on their location. If multimillion-dollar companies and small businesses alike are closing their doors, citizens from every neighborhood suffer; and WHEREAS, In addition to businesses suffering from retail theft, restaurants and other similar locations are suffering as well. The James Beard Award winning restaurant "Cantina La Martina" located in Kensington is emblematic of this issue. Due to encampments established across the street from the restaurant, owners Dionicio Jim�nez and Mariangeli Alicea Saez cannot receive essential services for their business. Their main food supplier, fire alarm company, and even trash services have refused to service their business due to the state of the surrounding community. This is only one story among a multitude of similar accounts; and WHEREAS, After the multiple episodes of organized retail theft the city experienced just two weeks ago, businesses have been rattled with repair costs, safety concerns, and loss of income. Large businesses can suffer a location closing, but for some, these businesses are their livelihood. Some have invested everything into providing goods and services to the City of Philadelphia. It is time that we invested in them; and WHEREAS, Grant funding can provide a lifeline for businesses and restaurants that want to partake in Philadelphia's vibrant economy but are struggling as a result of crime in their surrounding communities or retail theft from their establishments. By increasing the fines associated with trespassing, Philadelphia's government can create a funding source for these grants; and WHEREAS, The vibrant economy of Philadelphia is reliant on businesses of every size, and they rely on creating a business that can sustain itself. This requires safety and adequate resources, such as grants for when we are faced with violence and crime; and WHEREAS, This Council body must assess the loss of business within Philadelphia and its effects not only on the economy, but the livelihood of our citizens. It is time to step up in the face of adversity to serve the people of this city. We must continue to invest in small businesses that are suffering through this time of violence and crime. Through a grant system, we can provide a much-needed resources to these essential businesses; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby calls on the Administration to develop grant programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime. ..End