OMAHA, Neb. — Recent violent activity in Benson's entertainment district has raised fears and questions as to how the neighborhood plans to uphold safety.
This past August a man was shot and killed outside of the Waiting Room Lounge. This past weekend officers responded early Sunday to shots fired at the bar 1912. A woman sustained injuries and remains in critical condition.
Officials and business owners alike, agree that something must be done.
John Larkin co-owns Jake's Cigars and Spirits, Beercade and St. Andrews Pub all in Benson. He says that despite al the violence, business hasn't really been affected. But he's still concerned.
"As a business owner I'm always concerned when there's crime in our neighborhood," Larkin said.
He wants the violence to come to an end. He believes a continuous police presence in the area would help.
"Whenever we have an incident or a few incidents they'll send out some more patrols and that'll go on for a month or two or three months, and then things get called somewhere else until the next time it happens," Larkin said.
Councilman Pete Festersen who represents the district assures that police presence will be increased in the area. Extra lighting and security phones are also in the works.
"We're not going to tolerate these events and we're already working together with fellow business owners and the police department to do some extra patrols, he said.
Councilman Festersen assures that Benson is still a safe area for families and hopes the public continues to visit the district without fear.
If you have any information related to this past weekend's shooting, call Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP. There is a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.
