Starland District business owners on edge after string of recent burglaries

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Known as a vibrant hub for local art, restaurants, and shopping, Savannah’s Starland District has recently become the target of a string of burglaries, leaving business owners on edge.

Over the past few months, multiple local favorites have been hit by the break-ins, including Starland Strange and Bazaar, Starlandia Art Supply, One for the Road, Over Yonder, The Sexton Pub, and Slow Fire BBQ.

For businesses in the neighborhood that have not been targeted, the recent spike in crime is causing growing anxiety and prompting managers to step up their security measures.

Kimbrly Trulson, studio manager at the nearby F45 fitness center, said her immediate reaction to the news was concern for fellow business owners and members of the community.

“My immediate reaction, honestly, was concern for the people and the members that are here,” Trulson said. “We have someone who owns one of the businesses that was broken into, so my heart immediately went to her on that and I definitely started being a little more vigilant.”

Trulson noted that she now takes extra precautions she didn’t focus on as much before, such as checking cameras regularly and keeping doors locked during ongoing classes.

The Savannah Police Department is encouraging local merchants to practice extra vigilance and verify their security systems are up to date.

“Make sure to have working cameras that are functional,” said Sgt. Joshua Flynn, Public Information Officer for the Savannah Police Department. “If those cameras are functioning properly, have a way for the cameras to notify them if there’s any motion, or if a door is unsecured, and to make sure if they have alarm systems that they are operational.”

Flynn emphasized that police are actively investigating the string of break-ins to identify those responsible.

“We’re committed to making sure that businesses are safe and want to make sure that they know that if anything does happen, that we’re going to look into it and we’re going to find out who did it,” Flynn said.

Investigators said they are asking anyone who notices suspicious activity in the Starland District to report it immediately to 911 or the police non-emergency line.