The security battle continues for small business owners in Aurora.
Instead of sleeping, Chip Shaw of Province Car and Dog Wash watches surveillance cameras. Just last week, he was targeted by thieves who wanted a few dollars.
“They destroyed the currency exchange machine. They took out two coin hoppers. They're $17,000 each,” Shaw explained. “Now I have to apologize to the customer and tell them they have to walk half a block to get some change.”
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The company has suffered nearly $70,000 in losses over the past six months. Shaw says he has been targeted four times since August.
“Someone borrowed a Penske truck and backed into the front of the building. What they didn't know was that they were going through solid brick concrete filled with rebar,” Shaw said. Told. “I replaced the door. They couldn't get the brains of the operation, the payroll administrator. Thank God. Then I would have been out of business.”
Shaw said the police response has improved, but he wants the city to do more.
He submitted a plea for help to the City Council, and Mayor Mike Coffman asked for information.
Coffman and City Council member Angela Lawson told the show they planned to visit the car wash next week to talk with him and neighboring business owners about local crime.
With city-funded safety improvements; helped other businesses Elsewhere in Aurora. Shaw has high-end security, including his 36 surveillance cameras. They haven't stopped criminals from trying.
Related: Aurora invests thousands of dollars to protect small business owners from retail theft
“My first impression was, I'm going to get a shotgun. I'm going to sit here and shoot whoever comes onto my property, who shouldn't be there.” said Shaw. “But I'm not that person. I don't even know how to shoot a shotgun.”
That anger is familiar to small business owners who are constantly targeted, and so is his grief.
“I went into the equipment room and cried. I cried. I cried. Why are they doing this?” Shaw said.
The City of Aurora's Public Safety Committee will meet this week to address the “repeat retail theft offender” ordinance.
In the meantime, Shaw says she's looking forward to the mayor coming to see the damage firsthand.
