River Market community wants more done for safety after latest business break-ins, car window smashings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Early Thursday morning, businesses were broken into, car windows were smashed and shots were fired in the River Market. Now, residents and business owners are pushing for more to be done as these incidents persist.

Kansas City Missouri Police said on Thursday just after 4 a.m. they responded to an alarm call off of Walnut Street.

KCPD said the business and another one nearby had been broken into.

They found five possibly related incidents at River Market and downtown Thursday morning.

These are the businesses that faced shattered glass windows or doors:

• Brown & Loe
• Freestyle Poké
• Bo’s Kitchen

“Little to nothing is being done to protect us small businesses, and whatever it is that is being done, it has not deterred these actions,” said Bon-die Fortner with Freestyle Poké.

This is just adding to the list of incidents in River Market.

Last month Cycle City, Enzo Bistro & Wine Bar, and Donutology at the Trolley were all broken into.

READ MORE: ‘Support, don’t steal local!’: Overwhelming support for proposed grant after rampant break-ins

Betty Rae’s Ice Cream has been hit twice in three weeks.

There were at least seven vehicles broken into at a parking lot located off Delaware Street right behind Betty Rae’s.

“This is actually my worst nightmare is finding that my car has been broken into right before work,” said Sam Rivera, who found his car broken into on Thursday morning.

Rivera has lived in River Market for about 4-5 years. He said another car was broken into in June and one was stolen in 2022.

He found quite the scene early Thursday morning when heading to work.

“Saw several cars broken into, a white Lexus that was completely destroyed, that was hitting another minivan that was here and then my car with the windows broken,” said Rivera. “It’s sad cause some of them this is going to be a big financial hit to replace their window and they are missing work too so that is another hit on top of it.”

He said he heard shots fired around 1 a.m. on Thursday.

“I know I heard at least two it is not that unusual living downtown so I didn’t think too much of it but clearly there was more to it,” said Rivera.

KCPD confirmed shots were fired near 4th and Wyandotte around 1:20 a.m. Thursday.

Police said a security officer in the area was patrolling the parking lot when he saw a vehicle that then fired shots. No one was injured and KCPD is investigating.

Rivera hopes these break-ins don’t cause businesses to leave, but said these problems have made him consider moving.

“I just want to live somewhere where I wake up and my car is there and it is not stolen it’s just you know something simple,” said Rivera.

Betty Rae’s owner Matt Shatto said crime in the area is getting out of control and someone needs to step up.

“I don’t want it to take a Shaun Brady type of situation in the River Market for the people across the highway to take this seriously,” said Betty Rae’s Owner Matt Shatto. “If there are juveniles carrying guns down here, it is a matter of time until we replicate that situation in Brookside, and I hope I just hope and pray me saying that doesn’t come to be two weeks from now it happening and then it is too late.

“I just pray for our community that the people in the leadership positions actually start being leaders.”

He said it is still safe in River Market during the day.

“There’s gotta be attention given to this area because it is becoming less and less safe between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.,” said Shatto.

Shatto, other business owners, and residents feel more police patrols at night would help.

A property manager nearby told KCTV5 they’ve had private security for two years. An officer patrols properties on-site and overnight every day. They are adding another officer, something they have been working on before this incident occurred.

The property manager said they continue to keep safety and security a main priority for their business, residents, and the community.

Many of the business owners are working together to find solutions but said they need more support.

“We are begging for somebody at City Hall or the police department to come to us and say here is what we can do to help, here’s what we can do we see what is going on, we recognize, it and you’re not alone,” said Shatto. He added, “My hope is that this doesn’t spill over to a playoff game at the Current stadium or to people visiting out of town for a visitors and convention bureau event because I will tell you what it will shut down tourism in this city and rightfully so if we don’t take it seriously.”

While the police department is increasing patrols in the area, business owners said the focus needs to be during the day.

KCTV5 reached out to Mayor Lucas’ office but is still waiting on a response as of 5 p.m. Thursday.

If you have any information about these crimes or video please contact the Central Patrol Property Crimes Section at 816-413-3430 or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

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