Community members gather to discuss crime prevention

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Tucson business owners and community members came together Friday, Sept. 20, to highlight the recent increase in crime.

Tensions ran high as the city and county’s lack of action took center stage Friday night, whether it manifested in funding stress or how homelessness should be addressed.

Benjamin Galaz, owner of BK Tacos, brought together business owners, city officials and residents from five different neighborhoods.

They sat down together to express their concerns and find ways to address them.

“Nobody is doing anything and many companies are going bankrupt,” Galaz said.

Images of needles, drugs and homeless people outside local businesses were shown, to show how real the problem is for community members.

But Galaz stressed that he was aware that for the community to get help, it had to help this population first.

“I think what they’re doing to us is a way of asking for help,” Galaz said. “So we have to do something for them because they need help.”

“The city needs to do something other than hiding them in housing. They need to get involved and start helping these people,” said Monica Carlson, one attendee.

A few city officials attempted to address the group’s concerns and clarify the issues raised, including Tucson Police Department Lt. Tony De La Ossa.

“If you call 911 and we haven’t arrived at the scene — or, hey, we need to investigate further, I want to know,” De La Ossa said. “I want to know what my officers are doing here if you think they’re not investigating, because I want to investigate further.”

Friday night’s meeting won’t be the last. After hearing concerns from more than 200 people on social media, Galaz is already planning a meeting in the Southside neighborhood to address what he sees as a citywide problem.