The start of the holiday shopping season on Lark Street comes at a time of heightened violence here and throughout the city, and country.

Business owners here want to make sure everyone knows that not only are the streets are safe, but also a successful shopping season is vital to the 80 small businesses that operate in this corridor.

Most everyone will tell you small businesses on Lark Street or anywhere are the backbone of the local economy. This is a vital time of year, make or break for many mom-and-pop operations.

Earlier this week, there was a shooting inside the Cafe Hollywood on Lark Street. The city immediately shut that business down.

However, there have been other shootings, and stabbings and street fighting that have occurred here recently. The hope is that shoppers won’t be frightened away by those misdeeds.

The police presence has been beefed up on Lark Street with added beat cops and mounted patrol officers. They will be on duty weekends and nights.

Dan Levy will have reaction from business owners starting on NewsChannel 13 Live at 4 and WNYT.com.