'Nothing gets done about it': Springfield businesses speak out on downtown homelessness

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Business owners in downtown Springfield are speaking out about the growing issue of homelessness in the area.

"It's one of those things that everybody down here is aware of and it just it keeps getting pushed under the rug and nothing gets done about it," says Stevenson, owner of Harbell's Grill & Sports Bar.

According to Stevenson, the problem has been getting worse over the last few years.

"We've got to get these people off the streets," he says. "We've got to get them to stop coming in and out of our businesses, using drugs in our restrooms, trashing our property. Blatantly using narcotics on our property or harassing our customers."

He adds that the homelessness makes visitors uncomfortable, which drives off potential customers.

Du'Sean Howard, owner of Jamaican Patty Company, tells me people avoid downtown because of it.

"It's been definitely deterring folks from coming downtown, in our opinion," says Howard. "And we've heard from our neighbors, as well."

Howard is hoping to find a humane solution to the issue.

"We're not trying to dehumanize anybody," Howard says. "We're just hardworking business owners, and we want to keep our businesses open down here. And so that's something that we're really focused on right now."

According to Richard Vance, co-owner of Billiards Sports Bar and Grill, homeless people often come downtown.

"We've got a reputation around here that we take care of them," says Vance. "So, people outside of Springfield land in Springfield and come downtown. They're giving out free stuff downtown. And that's we're telling them, to come downtown."

Co-owner of billiards sports bar and grill, Richard Vance says tells me some organizations distribute free handouts in the area that attracts the homeless.

Vance states that their neighborhood should be treated better.

"Downtown is not just Downtown; it is a neighborhood down here. So, if you want to give something out free to somebody, invite them to your place where you can help them at your place, and then they can stay near your house instead of in our house."

Stevenson says he and other businesses have been looking for ways to fix the problem, but say they need the city's support.

"We'd be happy to contribute time, money, our own product to get them help. But we don't have the time and energy and money to do that," says Stevenson. "We need the city or another organization to set that up."

Howard adds that even if they find a solution, they still face the challenge of "welcoming patrons back to a safer and more family-oriented community."