Little Rock River Market Crime Worries Local Business Employees
By: Josh Berry, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 19, 2012
Victims of violent crimes in a popular entertainment area of Little Rock wondering why those crimes continue to happen and lately, they say, too often.
Just in the last few days, we've told you about 3 different armed robberies all occurring in an area of Little Rock's River Market.
Three aggravated robberies all involving a weapon used, two of which resulted in a car jacking, all took place right in the River Market. While they didn't release specific crime numbers, LRPD says there's not a rise in crime just a coincidence these happened together.
"It was just a piercing shock," Grace Townsend recalled about her run-in with crime.
Townsend works in the River Market. Late one night after work she was robbed. Four men with guns ran up to her car demanding everything she and her friends had. A few seconds later, one of the robbers fired a shot.
"Once I heard that... pop... I dropped to the ground in the middle of Cantrell."
That's what it took for an officer to respond. While Townsend's glad an officer was around, she says constantly hearing about carjackings and armed robberies has her worried about the area where she works.
"It makes you think are they really doing anything about it."
Now, families trying to enjoy what down-town has to offer are having second thoughts.
"It makes me very concerned bringing my kids down here," said mother of two, Maria Peel, after hearing about the recent violent crimes.
It's not hard to find someone still walking the streets who's had their own run-in with crime.
"The windows were smashed out," burglary victim, Erica Hudson explained.
Hudson's car was broken into in the River Market area. Everything inside was taken.
This incident however, hasn't kept her from coming back.
"The River Market's a great place," Hudson said.
Other families agree.
Peel added, "We don't let it stop us from coming down and enjoying this beautiful area."
Even someone who's come face-to-face with a gun says as long as you watch your back, you should keep coming back.
Townsend said, "Downtown is still a place to come and have a good time."
Little Rock Police agree to not let the laid-back vibe of the area allow you to let your guard down.
They say would-be criminals look to take advantage of easy-targets or folks not paying attention.
Just in the last few days, we've told you about 3 different armed robberies all occurring in an area of Little Rock's River Market.
Three aggravated robberies all involving a weapon used, two of which resulted in a car jacking, all took place right in the River Market. While they didn't release specific crime numbers, LRPD says there's not a rise in crime just a coincidence these happened together.
"It was just a piercing shock," Grace Townsend recalled about her run-in with crime.
Townsend works in the River Market. Late one night after work she was robbed. Four men with guns ran up to her car demanding everything she and her friends had. A few seconds later, one of the robbers fired a shot.
"Once I heard that... pop... I dropped to the ground in the middle of Cantrell."
That's what it took for an officer to respond. While Townsend's glad an officer was around, she says constantly hearing about carjackings and armed robberies has her worried about the area where she works.
"It makes you think are they really doing anything about it."
Now, families trying to enjoy what down-town has to offer are having second thoughts.
"It makes me very concerned bringing my kids down here," said mother of two, Maria Peel, after hearing about the recent violent crimes.
It's not hard to find someone still walking the streets who's had their own run-in with crime.
"The windows were smashed out," burglary victim, Erica Hudson explained.
Hudson's car was broken into in the River Market area. Everything inside was taken.
This incident however, hasn't kept her from coming back.
"The River Market's a great place," Hudson said.
Other families agree.
Peel added, "We don't let it stop us from coming down and enjoying this beautiful area."
Even someone who's come face-to-face with a gun says as long as you watch your back, you should keep coming back.
Townsend said, "Downtown is still a place to come and have a good time."
Little Rock Police agree to not let the laid-back vibe of the area allow you to let your guard down.
They say would-be criminals look to take advantage of easy-targets or folks not paying attention.
