FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Northwest Fresno tattoo shop owner says ongoing issues involving people experiencing homelessness near his business have escalated to the point where customers do not feel safe, and neighboring businesses are also being affected.
Cameron Phillips, the owner of Line and Shade Tattoo says the problems have just gotten worse over time.
We’ve had a lot of issues with some of the tenants or the business owners, as well as the clients, being threatened,
Phillips said.
Phillips says the concerns go beyond safety, and have also resulted in thousands of dollars in property damage and increased utility costs for business owners in the area.
He says people would go behind the building to bathe and fill water jugs using plumbing connected to the businesses.
“They were continually using the water, which we pay for as business owners,” Phillips said. “My water bill was through the roof. Once we capped it, they came and broke it off and we had water spewing out.”
Phillips says most of the activity appears to be tied to an encampment under the Herndon and Millburn overpass, where he claims there is ongoing drug use and other criminal activity. He says fires have also been lit underneath the overpass.
While Phillips was showing our FOX26 news crew the exterior of his business on Wednesday, an incident unfolded in real time.
A man with a bike who appeared to be unhoused approached the group, threatened Phillips and the crew, and reached behind his back while claiming he had a gun. The interaction was captured on camera.
You approached us in an aggressive manner, and you threatened us, and you said you had a weapon,
Phillips can be heard saying in the video.
Phillips, a former police officer who has a concealed carry permit, says he got his gun out after the threat was made. Then he called Fresno Police.
“You’re trespassing. Police are on their way,” Phillips said during the confrontation.
Phillips says responding officers were unable to locate the man with the bicycle who made the threat.
Officers have been called to the address 17 times in the past year for disturbances, welfare checks, suspicious activity, vandalism, and issues involving people experiencing homelessness.
Phillips says while he appreciates the officers who have responded to calls at his business, he believes broader action is needed.
“I think that the city of Fresno is not creating an environment for small businesses to thrive,” Phillips said.
Line and Shade Tattoo is located in Fresno City Council District Four. After FOX26 reached out, the office of Mike Karbassi confirmed he is now looking into the situation.
Do ongoing homelessness issues in our community make you feel unsafe?