Starbucks on El Camino

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Hi Steve,

Thanks for your time on the phone this afternoon, sorry I had to rush off.

To follow up on our conversation, I made a quick stop by the Starbucks 3 doors down from Safeway to snap a photo showing how how they have ash cans and nice flowers/benches. Unfortunately, I noticed a methhead, complete with the itching/scratching of his bare arms walking into the Safeway parking lot only to get lost amongst the crowd while my eye was taken to a 'TV Tray, Ammo Can Clan" Solicitation Station outside the entry. AGAIN. This was set up there BUT, interestingly enough the person was not manning the table - where were they? They didn't
show up by the time I left about 10 minutes later.

I went in the store, the customer service line was very long, so I asked the Carmen (checker) to call Mgr. on Duty. At least five minutes later, Neil took one look at me and nearly went in the other direction, I showed him the deserted Solicitation Station and asked if anyone was 'on the schedule for today, and if they were could I find out the group." Neil informed me no group was on the calendar for today... I had to go, but he said he would take care of it.

The Ammo Can Clan, the disenfranchised youth, the kids hawking candy with no parent in sight, but most importantly aggressive, unsanctioned solicitation going on in front of the store and in the parking lot. Like I said, outdoor seating might help. I don't care so much if a Safeway employee is dealing drugs.
I care that Methheads are coming into MY neighborhood to buy drugs.

The associated activities - loitering, gang turf claiming, tweekers with pit bulls, itchy methheads, or people asking for 'cash donations' for a worthy cause, is just peachy too. This activity is like hanging out the 'drugs for sale' shingle. No one is watching the store; sidewalks need to be cleaned or steamed more often, carts need shagging, trash should be picked up, smoking discouraged. Big two hour only parking signs with lots of legal verbiage will just add to the strip mall look of the place - IMHO.

While I realize there has to be balance with corporate policy, someone from Safeway - be it corporate, district, local, or Menlo Park has to set a policy that can be implemented, followed, measured and matured.

Thanks again for your time.

Elizabeth
*Pictures attached - let me know if you'd like to see more...
Starbucks - three doors up from Safeway - nice landscaping and seating, no huge ashcans, lots of flowers
Aggressive solicitor following customer in blue shirt carrying groceries in both hands out to the parking lot from the exit.
Abandoned Ammo Can TV stand (and chair) - please note the dirty sidewalks and cart storage areas.