Violence Has Business Owners Asking for ChangesBy Heather ShannonMILWAUKEE - Several business owners and neighbors in the Walker's Point entertainment district are upset with what they call increased problems at bar time. Video taken by surveillance cameras on the roof of popular Mexican restaurant La Fuente on South 5th Street shows cars parked in the middle of the street, a car getting stolen, and people getting into fights. The owner of La Fuente put up the surveillance cameras two years ago after the problems started. He said the problems are all happening at bar time, hours after La Fuente closes, so his customers are not in any danger. But he said despite that, business is being affected. It's also affecting neighbors. "It's a big loud and frankly kind of scary mess," neighbor Juli, who doesn't want her last name used, said. She lives just down the street and said the violence wakes her up every weekend. "You hear bottles breaking. It has degenerated into gunfire on occasion," Juli said. Both the residents and restaurant owners blame area clubs for the recent problems, and say club owners need to be better neighbors. "If they bring more problems than they do good, then we have to do something. We can't just let it continue," Perry Friesler, attorney for La Fuente, said. Milwaukee Police tell TODAY'S TMJ4 they have increased patrols in the area to help stop the spread of violence. They will also meet with club owners this week to discuss ways to keep patrons from causing problems at bar time.
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