When Safety Disappears, Small Business Suffers

SIMBA’s work is rooted in the belief that strong local economies depend on more than sales, permits, or policies. They depend on people feeling safe enough to show up. Safe enough to open their doors in the morning. Safe enough to go to work, run errands, and participate in community life without fear.

When that sense of safety is broken, the damage reaches far beyond any single incident.

Recent events in Minnesota, including the killing of Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation, underscore how quickly instability can enter spaces that are meant to be ordinary and shared. This occurred near neighborhood businesses, in places that function as economic and social anchors for their communities.

For small business owners, these are not abstract concerns or distant headlines. Enforcement actions carried out in and around business districts immediately change behavior. People stay home. Workers hesitate to come in. Customers avoid entire areas. What should be active local economies become quiet, uncertain, and tense.

Small businesses are uniquely vulnerable to this disruption. Unlike large corporations, they do not have the margins, staffing, or infrastructure to absorb sudden drops in foot traffic or prolonged closures. When fear replaces trust, even briefly, the economic consequences can be lasting.

At SIMBA, we support entrepreneurs because they are builders. They invest in their communities, employ their neighbors, and create spaces where connection and opportunity take shape. When those spaces are destabilized by aggressive enforcement practices, it undermines not only individual businesses, but the broader health of the local economy.

This moment demands action. Small business owners and community members can take steps to ensure safety and stability in their neighborhoods:

• Reach out to your local legislators
  Local, state, and federal lawmakers need to hear directly from the people they represent. Call, email, or message your state and federal legislators to tell them how you feel about enforcement actions happening in your local communities. Share stories about closed or disrupted business operations, fear among workers, or other information you find important, especially in conjunction with Washington’s Keep Washington Working Act.

  • In the City of Spokane, you can email your entire City Council via citycouncil2@spokanecity.org.

  • For state leaders, you can find your legislator(s) here, using this lookup tool.

  • For federal leaders, you can find your representatives here or your senators here.

• Sign the Main Street Action Petition, urging federal leadership to ensure that our small businesses are protected in Minnesota and beyond.

Strong local economies rely on stability, trust, and safety. Communities cannot thrive under fear. Your voice matters—stand with small businesses and support the conditions that allow them to succeed.