Twin Cities chef and restaurateur Brian Ingram is in Washington, D.C., this week to testify before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on crime and how it has affected his businesses and employees.

Ingram, owner of Hope Breakfast Bar, The Gnome and upcoming downtown St. Paul supper club The Apostle, has been outspoken about the effect that crime — specifically seven burglaries of his restaurant and offices — has had on him and his staff.

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding the hearing, titled “Thoughts and Prayers are Not Enough: How Mass Shootings Harm Communities, Local Economies and Economic Growth,” which begins at 1 p.m July 19.

Ingram said he agreed to the invitation from Rep. Tom Emmer, R-6th District, and chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., on the condition that he not have to choose a political side.

“I told them if I could just tell the story, I’d love to be a part of it,” Ingram said.

Ingram said that beyond the burglaries of his businesses, he’s seen staff members have their car keys, and eventually cars, taken from the restaurant’s break room by brazen thieves who walk in the door in broad daylight. Personally, he said, he moved out of downtown St. Paul after a man shot a gun into the air in front of him and his infant son.

In addition, Seventh Street Truck Park, a restaurant he started but is no longer involved with, endured a mass shooting last fall.

“For me this isn’t a Republican or Democrat thing,” Ingram said. “Crime is really hurting our cities, from robberies to assaults on staff as they’re walking home after a long day.”

Ingram said despite the hardships, he’s committed to opening and operating restaurants in the cities. But right now, he won’t keep them open past 10 p.m. for the safety of his staff.

Ingram said he believes in police reform, but also in law and order, and he doesn’t think those two things are mutually exclusive.

“One guy robbed us, got released from jail within 24 hours and robbed us again a few weeks later,” he said. “He’s been arrested 30 or 40 times. If you’re a career criminal, you have to be locked up. These guys have no fear and get bolder and bolder. Because there are no consequences.”

Ingram said he’s unafraid to offer his stories in exchange for the hope of changes being made.

“It’s scary stuff to talk about,” he said. “But if our community is going to be around for the long haul, we need to do something about it.”

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