SEATTLE — Burglars stole thousands of dollars from Bleacher's Sports Pub in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood on Thursday morning, and pub owners say they are now worried for their employees' safety.
Katy McGill, who has worked at the bar for 22 years and now runs it, said accounting for everything that was taken has been draining.
"For something like this to happen is just terrible," McGill said. "It's a violation. Employees don't feel safe closing here anymore."
Security cameras captured the burglars break in to the business just before 4 a.m. Thursday, April 4. Two people entered the pub and went straight to the office. McGill said they trashed the office, pushing items out of the way so they could steal the bar's safe. Afterward, a third person helped them load it into a U-Haul.
It took less than five minutes for the burglary to take place.
"I live just down the street, so when the alarm company called, I got here eight minutes later. Police weren't here yet, so I was afraid to go in, but I couldn't wait around," she said.
McGill said an officer showed up about an hour and a half after she did. Despite turning in all the video of the incident, she isn't sure what will happen next.
"I know the police are short staffed and the guy was nice," she said. "But it's very clear nothing is going to be done about this."
McGill said she's taking the necessary measures to keep herself and her employees safe. She said she understands why several businesses have gone cashless; that option is on the table. She refuses to be a sitting target again.
According to Seattle Police data, there have been 37 reports of burglaries in Greenwood since the beginning of the year. The data doesn't categorize the type of burglaries, business versus homes. However, McGill is certain her bar and others in the area make up several of those 37 reported burglaries. She said other business owners have similar stories.
Back in February, McGill dealt with another break-in, but the burglars didn't take anything of value; there were two safes in the office, and the burglars stole the empty one.