‘There are two kinds of Video Lottery casinos in Sioux Falls, Ones that have been robbed and ones that will be robbed.’ – Scott Ehrisman
Let’s face it, all VL casinos in SF have become magnets for thieves. We certainly don’t need anymore. I have believed for a long time that the social cost to taxpayers far outweighs what the state makes from them.
Last night at the planning commission, (Item#8) they had a ‘sensitive use’ permit to approve for an alcohol license for a casino. Let’s face it, this isn’t about the license, this is about plopping another VL casino in the middle of an established middle class neighborhood that is already struggling with crime. The commission could have easily voted down the license (that is why it was sensitive use). Only one did, John Paulson.
The neighborhood testified against the casino, NOT because of the alcohol or gambling but because VL casinos get robbed, consistently and non-stop in this community. That’s a reality.
Commissioner ‘Know it all Nick Sershen’ said the neighbors were calling people who gamble and drink criminals. Uh, no they weren’t, they were saying VL casinos attract criminals. It just goes to show the planning commission members don’t give a rat’s ass about keeping neighborhoods safe. While they will debate the ‘safety’ of an electronic church sign for 45 minutes, they had ZERO discussion on this item before approving it. This was an easy one. They failed huge!
It’s funny, when the Bonus Round Bar by my house was a casino, it got robbed 1-2 times a month. Since they have converted it to an arcade bar, I haven’t heard a peep about a robbery. I’m not saying that there haven’t been any attempts, but I think burglars tend to case a place before robbing it, and once they realize it is NOT a casino, they move on.
https://youtu.be/O8RxiZqcja8
I was so surprised to see big gas station go up that corner of 18th and Cleveland many years ago. For many years I never new who the owner was. Your child day cares near by a womens shelter near by senior assisted living and many multi family housing and residential living .The owner of this gas station still has many businesses in town for sure he s well known. My concerns for having this casino in the neighborhood will most certain bring more crime . As I spoken before about many eye witness to many drug deals in both market and gas station parking lots. when casino gets robs and it will ,they always do . I doubt they will drive up . They will into back yards and all near by residential housing and side streets they wont be heading north or south on Cleveland or east and west on 18th st. And for the owner to try tell planning that hell only be open til 10 pm is a farse . Once its a done deal hell be able to stay open til 2am .As far as say thing neighborhood and police dept were all okie dokie with is nt true . Don’t who he polled it wasn’t the same neighborhood . The residents said hello we didn’t the memo.Im praying the owner of gas station has a change of heart and move his expetations else where ,like back to 10 st or another major road.Im praying city will vote no on this.This is such a shame I enjoy going to the mom and pop stores around town and feeling safe when I go there. Heck I don’t even see a casino nest to hv vee s walmart , sun shine, franklins food ,target, khols, sears. And yes I do see them in gas stations but they aren’t in residential neighborhoods Where I do see them in gas staions is always with access to the interstate and not sitting next to mom and pop grocery store. thank you .
Well Im sure someone will comment on my mistakes in this letter. This is a concern of mine .I got a little hurried in my post . SO any complainers about how this was written you can just pick me a fork . I do think I got point across.