Longtime east San Jose restaurant Mark’s Hot Dogs said they are on the verge of closing down due to the increase in crime. Stephanie Magallon reports.
The owner of a San Jose restaurant said his business is struggling due to the recent crime in the area.
Mark's Hot Dogs has been serving the east San Jose community since 1936.
“Well, it's something you work your whole life for. For me, it's emotional,” said Mark McClain, owner of Mark’s Hot Dogs.
McClain said in the past five years, the homeless population, security issues and vandals have significantly increased in San Jose's Alum Rock neighborhood.
“We’ve had situations where they just come in and we've had carjacking where kids run in there to hide out. We had people that are just sitting here and people were being robbed right in front of the customers and stuff,” he said.
McClain added that they’ve found naked men in the back, women sleeping in their restroom and others just coming to break their property.
Mark’s Hot Dogs used to close at 8 or 10 p.m., but now they’re closing at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends, which means fewer sales and hours for employees.
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“It’s sad just cause this has been around for so long. I would hate for it to close down for a problem that should be solved, could be solved,” said Kelvin, an employee with Mark’s Hot Dog.
NBC Bay Area reached out to San Jose councilmember Magdalena Carrasco’s office Wednesday night concerning the crime in the area, but did not hear back.
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Stephanie Magallon has the full story in the video above.
