There's such a thing as too much security, Royal Oak officials believe.
They want a Main Street wine shop and jeweler to scale back their fortress-like look when closed, Lauren Podell reports on WDIV. A business leader even makes a Detroit comparison.
Royal Oak Patch editor Judy Davids quotes two members' concerns:
"There is no way that we should have that type of outdoor security curtain in our downtown. It is absolutely unnecessary," said Commissioner Jim Rasor, who asked that security gates be regulated so they don't make Royal Oak "look like a high-crime district."
"It sends out the wrong signal," said Commissioner Dave Poulton. "People just passing through may not want to come back."
William Harrison, vice chair of the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority, tells Podell:
“Royal Oak has always been a safe place to visit, to do business. Just the implication that it’s not is detrimental to downtown. “We just don’t want it looking like Michigan Avenue in Detroit.”
Commissioners directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance regulating security curtains.
The new wine shop's manager, Mike Larranaga, tells WDIV his shop's $25,000 gates create "out of sight, out of mind" protection for his merchandise.” mentality.
“The wine is there. With that kind of inventory and right up front where everybody can see it, it’s just security,” he said.
