Whittier : City Decides Not to Cut Convenience Store Hours
The Whittier City Council backed down this week from a proposal to limit the business hours of convenience markets to help reduce crime.
A police report to the council said convenience store robberies increased from 105 in 1990 to 231 in 1991. And for the first six months of this year, robberies were on a similar pace.
The figures prompted Mayor Bob Henderson to suggest that the hours of the stores be cut back.
But police officials said they are dealing with the problem by asking merchants to lock alcoholic beverage cabinets, install turnstiles at store entrances and staff at least two employees in each store between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. Stores that fail to comply could be denied permits to operate.
Police said most of the crimes committed at the markets are petty thefts of beer and occur during late evening and early morning hours.
Council members said that limiting store hours would be seriously considered in the future if store owners fail to comply with police recommendations.
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