Savannah’s Starland District businesses hit by string of burglaries

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Four businesses in Savannah’s Starland District have been burglarized within an 11-day span, all within roughly 400 feet of each other, raising concerns among residents and business owners about the pace of the response from local leaders.

The break-ins

Starland Strange and Bazaar was the first business targeted. Its back door was kicked in twice in less than a week, with merchandise and cash stolen. Starlandia Art Supply was burglarized over the weekend. One for the Road was hit Monday night — someone broke in through the back door, entered the office and stole all of the cash.

Marguerite Seckman is a co-owner of One for the Road and the owner of Starland Strange.

“Not only are we losing money and product, we also have to find money to be able to repair doors and locks, and get a locksmith, and figure out whole new security systems and that’s time consuming and costly for a small business, along with us being worried every single night when we go to bed, ‘are we going to get broken into again?’” Seckman said.

Response from police and city officials

Savannah Police Department confirmed it is actively investigating all four break-ins and working directly with business owners. The department declined to provide a statement or outline any plans for increased patrols in the neighborhood.

“How many break ins have to happen before the Savannah Police, our Alderman, or our Mayor even start paying attention to what’s happening in this neighborhood,” Seckman said.

Mayor Van Johnson said Tuesday he will not have updated information until investigations are complete, but said he is aware of the situation.

“We know about it, we got an eye on it, we’re watching for patterns, and we are investigating the situations,” Johnson said.

Community support

Seckman said community support has made an impact, but she would still like to see increased protections for the area.

“I’m not saying we need three thousand police officers up and down the streets, I don’t think that’s a solution,” Seckman said. “We as small businesses can’t keep operating like this.”

Starland Yard is holding a fundraiser this Sunday to benefit the three burglarized shops.