Residents of Carbon are banding together to support a local business owner to secure his store and keep him in business.
Andy Kim owns the Carbon Grocery Store on Caradoc Avenue. His store has been broken into on a number of occasions over the year, and he has been the victim of theft on a couple of instances.
In fact, over Sunday night it was reported the store was a victim of crime again. A truck chained up and pulled the door open causing extensive damages.
The Carbon Library is planning a block party to raise funds to help secure Kim’s store.
“It is for everybody in the community and the surrounding areas,” said Holly Laffin of the Carbon Library, “It’s the security block party for our grocery store.”
She said they are mailing letters to all residents in Carbon to garner support from the community.
She says it appears that the culprits case the property during the day and then return at night.
“We don’t want to lose him,” said Laffin. “When we talked to him (Kim) we could tell he is at his wit's end. We just want him to have a better security system so he is not robbed anymore and doesn’t end up selling his store or just closing down.”
They are hoping to raise funds to purchase a new cigarette case, metal framing and roll-up door to secure liquor and tobacco.
She adds there is a frustration in the community not only with these break-ins but also recent thefts of trucks and other criminal activity that appears to be targeting smaller communities.
The block party goes on Saturday, October 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, they will be having hot dogs and chilidogs for a free will donation right outside the store to raise funds.
