Business owners talk Albany crime concerns with government officials

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Some business owners and residents in Albany say perception versus reality is what it comes down to when talking crime in the city. They explain the stats may say one thing but it’s how the community perceives it is what really matters.

As soon as Lucia Mitsios stopped taking orders at the end of her workday at the Pearl St. Diner, she didn’t technically close her doors for the day. “We’re lucky enough that there are so many business owners that are ready to stand up,” said Mitsios.

Instead, she welcomed local, county and state leaders to the Albany Action Meeting to discuss safety concerns throughout the city. “I think it’s just time that the elected officials realize that they work for us, and they have to start worrying about our safety as small business owners. Because without us you lose your community,” stated Mitsios.

Jesse Sommers who owns New Scotland Spirits said he sees many areas of concern that need to be addressed, “That first starts at the ground level, dealing with some of the systemic issues, whether that is homelessness.” He went on to explain the meeting was about creating conversation with local leadership addressing other topics such as parking, panhandling and gun violence. “The objective was to bring out all these stakeholders, the community groups, the candidates for office, existing municipal officials, law enforcement and the business owners.”

Somers believes there are efforts out there making a difference, “If there’s a problem on the streets, those are all our neighbors. And whether it’s Pastors on Patrol, or law enforcement on patrol the point is, is that there are people who are showing up to try to make Albany better.” He feels there is still more that can be done.

And as the warmer weather brings more people outside some are folks are concerned about the annual increase in violence that this time of year brings. “What is it going to look like in the summertime, if we’re talking right now, this is how bad it is. You know, they can give us any number that they want. We see it, we hear it, we talk, the community talks,” said Mitsios.

The topic of how to responsibly spend the $400 million coming from the governor’s office to help revitalize the city also came up when talking about safety at the meeting. “I believe that small businesses and communities, I feel should be involved. I said yeah, that’s great you want to put all these things down here. That’s great. But you’re not addressing the people.” “That are vested,” added Athony Mitsiois.  

“I think right now there is this sense that we have to give up and we can’t at this point. The only way I’m going to save my business is if I’m going to save Albany,” said Sommer.