SEATTLE -- Vandals have been making their way through South Park in recent days, smashing windows and shocking the owners of small businesses.

"We just opened out first place here, our first retail shop, about a month ago, and within three and half weeks all of our windows were busted out," said Max Liendich, owner of Burdick Brewery.



His business isn't the only one with broken glass to sweep up.

Several other businesses have been hit, too. Glass doors were broken on Monday at a nearby wine bar and bottle shop that will open for business in September.

"It's frustrating," said Campbell Scarborough, owner of the Left Bank bar and retail bottle shop, "but at the same time I'm really determined to keep going, and the response from the community has been great."

Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold has asked for help for South Park, requesting that Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole devote more police resources to the neighborhood.



She made the request in a letter to the police chief. Police say the department has emphasis patrols in South Park and that it is working with community members and members of the City Council to address concerns.

More police will come too late for Shizuno Wynkoop of LaToscanella Bakery & Cafe, where boards have gone up over broken windows. A bullet was found inside the business.

"It's strange nothing was disturbed, nothing was stolen," Wynkoop said. "There obviously was no entry, so it seems like vandalism or a failed attempt at a burglary or something like this."

Liendich would welcome more of a police presence.

"Here's what I'd love to see police on the street walking around. They come down here on their bikes, but they are not very interactive, I would love to know my neighborhood cop because my neighborhood cops walks around,' he said.



"I just want my neighborhood to be safe," Liendich said.



