Some Mission Street businesses more aware, secure following string of armed robberies

Several businesses along Mission Street are taking extra safety measures in light of the five reported armed robberies.

Michael Sly, manager at Dollar Daze, 924 S. Mission St., said the robberies have caused his employees to double-check everything, including locking their doors.

“We have been limiting the amount of cash we have on hand, and we do have a security system, which helps us feel a little more secure,” he said.

Sly said police called them Sunday night about what was going on and to warn them to keep an eye out for people matching the description of the subject.

“We’re definitely taking more precautions, and you don’t want to be in fear of it,” Sly said. “You just have to know what to do if it happens.”

Central Michigan University Police Chief Bill Yeagley said police departments have been reaching out to offices and reviewing the basic procedures over what an employee should do in the event of an armed robbery.

“The bottom line is to cooperate,” Yeagley said. “It is just money, and we do not want anyone to fight with the individual; just get them out of there and call the police immediately.”

Another method Yeagley said would work is for businesses to try to not have only one employee working, because the larger the crowd, the safer it will be, he says.

Terry Cregger, general manager of Pixie Pizza, 302 N. Mission St., said the business has already implemented this precaution and awareness is at an all-time high.

Pixie has been taking extra precautions by never having anyone in the building alone, checking the back door used for deliveries before letting anyone in and going outside in pairs whenever possible.

“There was a robbery about a block from us, and you can see the little shopping plaza down the street,” Cregger said. “I think we are all kind of surprised that it is happening during the day.”

Pixie has had a long-standing relationship with the police in town and has gotten a lot of business from them lately because of all the patrols and long hours, Cregger said.

In the event of another robbery, Cregger said businesses have been told by police not to be heroes and to just report the incident as soon as possible.

“As a business owner, your main priority is to keep people safe,” she said.

The increase in patrol cars has been noticed, especially by Jessica Myers, a server at Lil’ Chef, 1720 S. Mission St.

“Today, the huge topic was about the police not being able to catch him, but when I got my gas yesterday, there was a police car parked right outside,” she said.

Myers has also noticed how the string of robberies has affected the community, as well as other businesses.

“One of my co-workers also works at Family Video (317 N. Mission St.) and said a door was left open last night and an alarm went off,” she said. “An officer came around and asked if they wanted him to look around.”

Lil’ Chef does not have a specific procedure for an occurrence like this, but employees are taking precautions nonetheless.

“We don’t have any procedures that we are taking,” Myers said. “But when I relieve the person (from their shift), I watch them leave to make sure they are OK.”