“Something needs to change”: New program in Stockton hopes to reduce crime against businesses

By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Burglaries and destructive crimes are a growing concern among business owners in Stockton. Now the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hopes to reduce these crimes through the Stockton Takes Action Against Retail Theft (STAART) program.Frank Ferral represents the program said among their strategies is developing an app where businesses can quickly report these crimes. “That we minimize the time from the report to a response by the law enforcement is critical,” said Ferral. As part of their efforts, they will offer grants for surveillance cameras, workshops and work closely with several law enforcement agencies in the area. A big part of this program is also getting the community which they hope to achieve through a countywide awareness campaign. “It’s not just finding out what’s wrong but putting some solutions towards it,” said Ferral.The app and grants are expected to launch in July. Owners struggle to protect their businessesOnce again, a small business in Stockton was burglarized. This time Kevin Richtik’s photography studio on West Hammer Lane Road was hit. However, Richtik said this is not the first time. “It takes a piece of mind away from being able to just go to work and not worry about things,” said Richtik. A feeling shared by other business owners in the area. Four days before his studio was broken into, two men entered David’s Pizza across the street and took off with their arcade change machine. “Something needs to change,” said Richkit.

Burglaries and destructive crimes are a growing concern among business owners in Stockton.

Now the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hopes to reduce these crimes through the Stockton Takes Action Against Retail Theft (STAART) program.

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Frank Ferral represents the program said among their strategies is developing an app where businesses can quickly report these crimes.

“That we minimize the time from the report to a response by the law enforcement is critical,” said Ferral.

As part of their efforts, they will offer grants for surveillance cameras, workshops and work closely with several law enforcement agencies in the area.

A big part of this program is also getting the community which they hope to achieve through a countywide awareness campaign.

“It’s not just finding out what’s wrong but putting some solutions towards it,” said Ferral.

The app and grants are expected to launch in July.

Owners struggle to protect their businesses

Once again, a small business in Stockton was burglarized.

This time Kevin Richtik’s photography studio on West Hammer Lane Road was hit.

However, Richtik said this is not the first time.

“It takes a piece of mind away from being able to just go to work and not worry about things,” said Richtik.

A feeling shared by other business owners in the area.

Four days before his studio was broken into, two men entered David’s Pizza across the street and took off with their arcade change machine.

“Something needs to change,” said Richkit.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.