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Stockton Shuts Down Market Perceived As Crime Nexus

STOCKTON -- A supermarket in Stockton was busted and shut down Friday morning by the city and police.

According to police and a city councilman, the New Grand Save Market on Airport Way has been the core of crime, and the owners haven't done anything about it.

The owners were nowhere to be found on Friday, as Stockton Police and city officials cleaned out the market and boarded the building up.

Now, the community surrounding the New Grand Save Market in Stockton will need to find a new place to shop for food.

"If you allow people to loiter and sell drugs then you create an environment where crime happens," said Stockton City Councilman Michael Tubbs, one of the driving forces behind the market shutdown.

Tubbs called the market a cancer to the community for several decades.

"There are homicides, shooting, loitering and exploitation," Tubbs added.

The market has been a hot spot for Stockton police and the city, with officials saying it has been shut down numerous times, only to reopen and allow more illegal activity.

"They are gonna find another place even if they shut down that area," said Alexis Gomez.
Gomez grew up near the market, and recalls his family making the trek across town to buy groceries.

But the city is now hoping to turn that reputation around.

The court appointed a new receiver who now has full-control of the property.

The city hopes whatever replaces the New Grand Save Market will also help save the neighborhood.

The market was fenced off by Friday afternoon and will have 24-hour security until the receiver decides what to do with it.

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