Melissa Rose Cooper

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Jul 17, 2025, 5:23 PM

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Updated

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The city's efforts to improve conditions at The Hub are in full swing.

Police are now patrolling the area and helping to keep it safe, but business owners say they have mixed feelings.

"It's a big difference now," said Sam Slim, owner of Ness.

Ness says his store used to get robbed, and fights would happen all the time outside, but since the city stepped in, things have drastically changed.

"Now they block the whole plaza, they aren't letting anybody stay," said Slim. "They have police watching everybody."

But even though police now openly patrol the area, not everyone is convinced a positive change is happening.

"They moving towards the back now so nothing has really changed," said another business owner. "It's just them closing down where people sit down."

Siraj Bhaiyat, owner of Plaza Discount, said he has noticed a big improvement.

"Always they [would] come inside stealing merchandise, fighting outside, all the time problem," he said. "Now, it's much better."

While some people believe the mayor’s plan is only a temporary fix, others are hoping it will be the start to a permanent solution.