STOCKTON, Calif. — Block by block and with conversations on every corner, Stockton Police Chief Stan McFadden visited businesses on the Miracle Mile stretch of Pacific Avenue Thursday hoping to learn what more his department can do to keep the area safe.
"Our businesses are very important to us. They are our community, and we’re expressing the importance of working together so we can fight crime together," said McFadden. "They know we're lean, but they know we're working hard."
This year, there have been a few shootings in the neighborhood — the latest in October outside a Starbucks. No one was hurt. Burglaries are also a concern.
"I've been hearing some problems with mental health in the area where people are in need of services from someone who is an expert in crisis. I'm hearing there were some commercial burglaries in the area," said McFadden. "The importance is to interconnect the businesses, so they can establish these communication channels and then we can work together and solve it."
Grace Quaschnick purchased Puffy's Thrift Mercantile three years ago and is a member of a "block watch".
"We communicate with all the business owners. It’s almost like a neighborhood watch program," said Quaschnick."With any business here, if someone wanted to be walked to their vehicle, we do offer that. We feel that's just part of customer service and what makes the Miracle Mile special."
Even with the block watch, she said she and other business owners could still use more support from the police.
"Our biggest concern is window breakage," said Quaschnick. "We do have the unhoused that are on the street. A lot of our customers are concerned when coming to the Mile as far as safety.”
To ease those concerns, she would like to see officers on bikes return to the Miracle Mile.
"It was nice for customers who come to the Mile to see that presence," said Quaschnick. "It just makes it feel safe.”
McFadden agrees, saying that the idea of returning bike officers to the district is already under consideration.
"It allows our community members to tap a cop on the shoulder and have a casual conversation," said McFadden. “We’re providing some tips, (business owners are) providing suggestions to us, things we can implement.”
After the community walk on Thursday, McFadden wasn't the only one left with ideas on how to improve the Miracle Mile.
An ad-hoc committee is meeting again in February to discuss how to use $23.1 million in state funding meant for safety improvements along the busy stretch of Pacific Avenue.
The money will be going to areas such as business development, civil improvements, community engagement, mobility, place-making, and security and lighting.
"I haven't been involved, but I've been hearing about it," said McFadden. "It sounds like some great things are planned. I think it's more of that commitment to beautify this area to be even better for our community members."
With more improvements being planned and renewed attention from police, Quaschnick is hopeful that the Miracle Mile can continue to be a shopping gem in Midtown Stockton.
"It’s very important that businesses do work together because that’s how we’re going to keep each other safe," said Quaschnick. "We certainly do appreciate people coming out to the Mile and supporting these really great businesses."
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