Pizzeria patrons put together funds to help diner targeted by robbers

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- Diners at a pizzeria in the nation's capital have band together to help the owner after the restaurant became a popular target for robbers.

Known as Mama by her customers, Fatma Nayir says her business has been robbed five times already this year and was considering closing the joint.

She says she doesn't believe in plexi-glass dividers and didn't have the money for a surveillance system.

That is when a group of loyal customers and neighborhood activists came together to donate more than $6,000 for security equipment.

"I'm sure it's going to stop lots of incidents," Nayir said, "because it happens everywhere but it's not going to happen here again."

Mama's story inspired city officials to develop a security rebate program for small businesses.