WHEELING, W.Va. — For the first time, the Wheeling Police Department will host crime watch meetings specifically for local businesses, starting Feb. 4.
Business owners from downtown and Centre Market are invited to join the department once a month to discuss safety concerns.
Public Information Officer Philip Stahl noted that there is no rise in specific crimes — and the department aims to maintain the low crime rate.
“We’re going to wait and see what they have to say. We’ll talk to them, they’ll talk to us, we’ll figure out a plan and address some of those issues. But for now, we’ll wait to see what the meeting brings next Wednesday,” Stahl said.
Chris Burress, owner of Tito’s Sloppy Doggs, a popular lunch spot with locations in both areas, shared his experience with minor car break-ins along Market Street but noted no significant events with neighbors.
“I try to watch. If I see someone at another place, I’m going to call them and say, ‘Your door is open’ or this or that,” Burress said. “We try to stay tight knit just to look after each other.”
The meetings will be held at the police department at 5:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. Neighborhood crime watch meetings will resume in March.
