Police response to a slew of restaurant robberies the past few months in Fort Greene has been inadequate, say merchants who own the establishments.

While crime along Vanderbilt Avenue has decreased compared with last year, robberies have spiked 21 percent. Officials say there have been 80 reported burglaries in the area this year, with eight happening in the past month at local restaurants.

Merchants say they would like to see a stronger police presence along the avenue, especially at night, when they say the lion's share of the crimes is committed.