Police will not make Village more appealing

Merchants and community organizers have pushed for the presence
of foot police in Westwood, but their desires are prissy and
excessive. The impetus behind the requests were two attempted
burglaries in the Westwood Professional Building last month, along
with merchants’ continued distaste for the homeless.

Village merchants claim homeless people in front of businesses
keep customers from entering. But these merchants exaggerate the
presence of crime and vagrancy in the Village. Not only would an
army of police marching the streets be a waste of valuable
resources, but it also would be more intimidating to consumers than
a man sleeping on a sidewalk.

If merchants expect their businesses to thrive, they should
confront the Village’s main problem ““ sheer lack of
appeal due to mediocre products at excessive prices. Most students
are not going to flock to Westwood solely for $10 movies or pricey
clothing stores.

Westwood business will not be successful until they cater to
their most potentially lucrative market by offering more affordable
ways to shop and hang out. With over 30,000 students nearby,
Westwood business owners should find out what students want, and
give it to them, instead of scapegoating the Village homeless.