Dear Menlo Park City Council,
I am reaching out to express my deep concern about the increasing incidents of crime targeting camera stores in our community. Last April, Mike’s Camera in Menlo Park was burglarized in a violent smash-and-grab robbery, where a vehicle was used to ram through the front doors. The criminals stole over $80,000 worth of camera equipment, and beyond the financial loss, we faced significant costs to rebuild the store’s entrance and reinforce security measures.
This is not an isolated incident, and it highlights a growing trend of targeted attacks against businesses like ours. As a longstanding member of the Menlo Park business community, we are deeply invested in the safety and security of our customers, employees, and fellow business owners. However, without stronger deterrents in place, we remain vulnerable to these increasingly aggressive crimes.
We would like to formally request that the city explore and approve measures to help protect local businesses, including the possibility of allowing security deterrents, such as reinforced bollards or other barriers, in front of our store to prevent future vehicle-assisted break-ins.
We appreciate your time and consideration on this matter and would welcome the opportunity to discuss possible solutions. Please let us know how we can work together to address this pressing issue.
Sincerely,
Louie Navarro
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-seawood-photo-recover-from-devastating-theft?lang=en_US&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_t2&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&attribution_id=sl%3A2872f8b6-8c4a-4a67-be20-613699b38dd3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY8gr73eQSgzdAfwVUqbRmiqSbFrlTonuH4UafNScJ6rfHK40m3nOKQRKc_aem_ghd1eG-NEvpxN3K2F9jj7A
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/robbery-shutterbug-santa-rosa/
https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/02/17/smash-and-grab-robbery-looking-glass-photo-berkeley-damage-losses
[https://newspack-berkeleyside-cityside.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/looking-glass-smashed-entrance.jpeg]
Smash-and-grab at Looking Glass Photo causes extensive losses
Sunday’s crime has dealt a blow to a business that was “just starting to find its rhythm” since moving to its new location, she added. Looking Glass, which was founded by Peter Pfersick on Telegraph Avenue in 1971, moved to Fifth Street in July 2024 from its previous location in the old Heinz family complex at 1045 Ashby Ave., where it had been based since 2013.
www.berkeleyside.org
[https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fimengine.prod.srp.navigacloud.com%2f%3fuuid%3d0ab08db7-a754-55f4-b698-337d513dc285%26type%3dprimary%26q%3d75%26width%3d1600&c=E,1,rD23UtjoDJW0sHieNdkEQ6IGrhptHyHuizn8B84012-4OvOQmtvnLdQFOJDddNzQJ7uHbqCa3umWTHpKNDkFodKpii_iXv-QX79L4M5iL3rwug8,&typo=1]
Santa Rosa camera store hit in ‘smash and grab’ robbery - The Press Democrat
Santa Rosa Shutterbug Camera Shops robbed in early morning ‘smash and grab’ break-in. An estimated $100,000 worth of camera equipment was taken from Shutterbug Camera Shops in an early Friday ...
www.pressdemocrat.com
Louie Navarro
California District Manager.
MIKE’S CAMERA®
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