Kansas City has announced a strategic plan to end homelessness in the city within five years, but Matt Alexiou, co-owner of Southside Bar and Grill, says the plan is only surface deep.
Since November, Alexiou said, he has been communicating with city council members, the city manager, the mayor and homelessness prevention coordinator about how unhoused people are affecting his business and community.
"It's been a year, they have not gotten one person off the street because they're not down there trying to," Alexiou said of city officials.
Becky Hamrick, owner of Bobby Baker's Lounge, said during the winter months homeless people barricade themselves in the restroom, threaten her employees and leave trash.
"We feel for them," Hamrick said. "You know, we have to protect our customers and I have to protect my employees, you know, and my business."
The business owners joined Up To Date to discuss why they're frustrated with their elected officials' response to Kansas City's homelessness problem.
- Matt Alexiou, co-owner, Southside Bar and Grill
- Becky Hamrick, owner, Bobby Baker's Lounge
