Shattered glass litters Broadway in the East Village after the window of a small business was smashed Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. Photo by Brandon Richardson. Small businesses across Long Beach will soon be able to apply for grants to help offset costs incurred by the recent rise in property crimes and vandalism, city officials announced Friday. The city has allocated $350,000 from the Long Beach Recovery Act for the Visual Improvement Grant program. The $1,500 grants are available for local businesses that were affected by crime or vandalism on or after Oct. 1, 2022, and they can be used for storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurance deductibles and business operating expenses, according to the announcement. “Small businesses are a key component to a vibrant community” Economic Development Director Bo Martinez said in a statement. “This grant opportunity is one of several the City has provided over the last few years to help small businesses get through challenging times and start to thrive once again.” Across the city, property crime accounted for nearly 84% of all reported crime last year, according to Long Beach Police Department data. Property crime rose 7.6% last year compared to 2021, with 13,895 reports filed—an average […]
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