Business owners speak out about crime in Cape Girardeau

February 29, 2024

Shelby Brown,

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Crime seems to be on the rise in Cape Girardeau.

A shooting outside CVS in Cape Girardeau on Monday, February 26, 2024 took the life of a young teen girl, a stray bullet also struck a worker nearby.

Three people are now in custody.

Members of the community say they’ve noticed the increase in crime.

Sarah Kilpela is a mom and owner of Eden Spa and Salon in Cape.

“Ya know personally in this little corner I feel safe,” she said.

Kilpela says we need more community leaders and officers.

“Why is our police force so short, like why are people leaving Cape to go to other places and the answer is there’s just not enough watchful eyes,” said Kilpela.

Jonah Hendrix, owner of Hendrix Construction, says he’s noticed an increase in incidents.

“Yes, I think it has gotten a little worse, people just have to be aware of their surroundings crime is going to happen whether we want it to or not.”

Hendrix says coming together as a community may a way to decrease crime.

“Honestly I think the only thing we can do is people help stand up when there’s a bad situation going on. There’s good people around, you just have to be brave, and people are brave you just have to stand up we’re the only ones that can stop the violence. The police are doing a fantastic job now we have to do our part,” said Hendrix.