Austin Grocery Store Struggles with Rising Crime Rates

Austin Grocery Store Struggles with Rising Crime Rates

AUSTIN, Texas — The owners of a Downtown Austin grocery store are facing an ongoing battle with crime that is affecting their business. George Scariano, who runs the Royal Blue Grocery on Congress Avenue, described the alarming situation as a “terrible cycle of crime.”

Recent Assault Changes the Atmosphere

Earlier this month, a disturbing incident unfolded outside Scariano’s store. Surveillance footage captured an attack that took place when Scariano confronted a man who was causing trouble. Scariano approached the individual after he took a seat outside the store and inquired if he was a customer. This simple question apparently provoked an aggressive response. “He tried to spit on me, challenged me physically,” Scariano recounted, sharing his experience of how the situation escalated.

As Scariano attempted to have the man leave the premises, a small crowd began to gather. “He turned around, assaulted me, he headbutted me, and I tackled him and we held him down,” Scariano explained about the altercation. The Austin police arrived and arrested the man, identified as George Martin Jr., who now faces charges of misdemeanor assault with injury and criminal trespass. Martin Jr. is currently being held at the Travis County Jail.

Impact of Crime on Local Businesses

Scariano highlighted that this incident is just one amongst many that his grocery stores have faced. Both he and his business partner, Craig Staley, own seven Royal Blue Groceries located in Downtown Austin. Scariano noted that they have been struggling against a series of burglaries, some committed by repeat offenders. In an earlier interview, Staley spoke about the difficulties posed by such crimes and how they are constantly trying to draw attention to the issue in hopes of receiving assistance from local authorities.

“The solution needs to be all of us working together towards a shared goal. [We’ve] been working exhaustively on this for years and it’s demoralizing,” Scariano said, emphasizing the impact these incidents have on their business operations.

Seeking Support from City Officials

Scariano has made repeated attempts to contact Council Member Zo Qadri, seeking guidance and solutions to the ongoing crime issues plaguing his stores. However, as of Wednesday, there was no response from Qadri’s office regarding these matters. Scariano firmly stated that all of his stores feel like they are “under assault,” and they are in desperate need of more security support.

While the Austin police provide assistance, Scariano pointed out that they lack the resources for a private security team. Furthermore, although the Downtown Austin Alliance employs safety ambassadors to patrol the area, these ambassadors are not equipped to handle serious incidents like the one Scariano experienced.

The Cost of Crime

Scariano lamented, “It shouldn’t be as difficult as it is for us to do business,” highlighting the significant toll that crime takes on their operations. He described how the problems of shoplifting, high employee turnover, and violence inside their stores create considerable losses for the company as a whole.

Commitment to Serve the Community

Despite the challenges, Scariano expressed his determination to continue providing service to the Austin community. “We’re not quitting,” he asserted. “We’re not selling and we love what we do. So we’re here to stay as best we can and we need help.”

The troubling situation at Royal Blue Grocery is reflective of broader concerns within many urban areas regarding safety and crime. As business owners like Scariano seek solutions, the importance of community support and cooperation becomes more apparent.