John & Ken talked to prominent business people from Long Beach who say the vagrant situation is out of control and threatening their ability to make a living. Orsa Modica and Joe Harding described the situation to John & Ken on the air today.
Orsa Modica told CBSLA Reporter Kandiss Crone that the rise in crime, homelessness, and illegal activity in the area are starting to severely impact business.
Just recently, a half-naked man walked into her restaurant, frightening Modica, customers and staff.
"He went behind my counter and that's where all of our sharp knives are. My chef had to go block that area just so we could protect the customers out here," Modica said.
Joe Harding, who manages a nearby condominium complex, said the high dose of suspicious activity has made it uncomfortable and inconvenient for all business owners.
"Our major problems used to be people riding skateboards in the sidewalk or bicycling on the sidewalk. Now it's defecation, it's urination, it's drug use, it's needles, it's screaming. It's mental behavior. It's things we're not trained for," Harding said.