Minneapolis McDonald's Tightens Security Amid Safety Concerns

A McDonald's restaurant in Uptown Minneapolis has made a big change. They decided to lock their dining room doors. This move is to keep customers and staff safe. The change started on December 5th. The restaurant will stay open from 5 am to 10 pm. But now, only certain people can come in. The restaurant has had problems with trespassing. They tried other ways to fix this. But locking the doors seemed like the best option. The owner, Mike Darula, has run this McDonald's for over 30 years. He says the change is to make sure everyone feels safe.Minneapolis has seen a lot of crime lately. There were 4, 473 violent crimes this year. This includes 2, 839 cases of aggravated assault and 65 homicides. The U. S. Department of Homeland Security is also working to reduce crime. They recently arrested many criminals in the area. Some people might wonder if this is the right move. Locking doors can make a place feel safer. But it can also make it feel less welcoming. It's a tough balance. The restaurant hopes this change will help. But only time will tell if it works. This is not the only McDonald's in Minneapolis. There are 11 others in the city. And over 13, 500 across the U. S. Each one has its own challenges. But safety is always a top priority.