Multiple food trucks burglarized in north Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Food truck owners at the Hamilton Food Park in North Austin arrived Wednesday to find broken glass, padlocks that had been cut and empty tip jars.
Sopa De Fideo owner, Erika Guerrero, says she caught someone on her cameras around 3:30 a.m., and when she arrived at her food truck, she found the person had tried to cut her pad locks, but failed.
"He cut the locks for my windows," said Guerrero. "I was fortunate that he was not able to get in, but he also made an attempt to cut the lock on my door. So, if I don't get that fixed there is a weak spot on the door now."
Guerrero said she called police to file a report and was told that someone would follow up in 7-10 business days, but she said she is worried the criminal will strike again before then.
Another food truck owner who wished to remain anonymous told KXAN she had her window broken out and locks cut off her windows. She said someone damaged her back door locks and took her tip jar as well.
"I lost my money today," she said. "I can't open again until I fix everything."
Guerrero said this is not the first time she has had to deal with issues like this. She said three weeks ago, someone damaged her food truck.
"I had sail shades out here (points to roof) and they cut them off," said Guerrero.
Guerrero said she has noticed a lot of issues near the food park and would like to see more police presence in the area.
"Every day there are abandoned vehicles on this street and we don't know who is in them and there is people living out of them, there are people living behind the grocery store," said Guerrero.
Business owners KXAN spoke with said they would like to see quicker response times and someone come out sooner.
KXAN has reported on 911 callers having to wait longer to get through to an operator with shortages in in the 911 Call Center. There is also a police officer shortage.
Reporting crimes that are no longer in progress
APD wants people to use iReportAustin.com or call 311, not 911, to report crimes that are no longer in progress, when the suspect or people involved are no longer on the scene and when there is no further immediate threat to life or property.
KXAN reached out to 311, and an operator told us this APD Non Emergency Request Police Report service request has an “Open” Status as it was submitted this morning.
Austin 311 is adequately staffed, but there are two positions open.
Currently, 311 has no backlogs in the reporting system.