Quantcast

105th Pct. to teach crime prevention


But…

By Adam Kramer

Neighborhood businesses are the lifeblood of each and every one of the borough’s diverse communities. The businesses — from a mom-and-pop shoe repair shop to a pharmacy to an everything-for-99- cents store — add life and vibrancy to the streets.

But these local shops are targets of an array of criminal activity such as burglary, employee theft and robbery.

The 105th Precinct, which covers Glen Oaks, Laurelton, Bellerose St. Albans, Queens Village, Floral Park and Cambria Heights, has planned a crime prevention seminar to help neighborhood stores get wise to crime.

The seminar was scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of JHS 231 at 145-00 Springfield Blvd. in Springfield Gardens.

“There are a lot of things that business can do to protect themselves from burglary, robbery and employee theft,” said Officer Donald Barto, the crime prevention officer in the 105th Precinct. “A burglary can put a neighborhood store out of business. Store owners work really hard and there are things they can do to protect themselves.”

He said Deputy Inspector Glen Kotowski of the 105th Precinct and officers from the crime prevention unit will talk about what businesses can do to make their stores safer. He said, for example, to help prevent a robbery the store should have its windows cleared so people can see in.

The 105th Precinct did not have data on the number of crimes that occurred at businesses within its borders because the Police Department does not break down crime by residential vs. commercial incidents.

In order to protect against employee theft the store owner needs to keep track of inventory and might want to consider tagging it, he said.

“I think it is a great idea,” said Sheila Pecoraro, president of the 105th Precinct Community Council. “Just look at our flier. It is written to the business community and residential community, but the business community never take part and this seminar can help them gain knowledge.”

She said she thought the business community was getting “ripped off left and right.” It has been going on for years, she said.

Pecoraro said her family has held jobs in the retail business for more than 40 years and once her son had a gun put to his head during a robbery of the auto parts store where he worked.

“It is a fact of the business world — when you work in the ivory tower, you can’t see it,” she said. “It is what happens everyday when they open their stores. They are at risk.”

For more information call the 105th Precinct’s Crime Prevention Officer Donald Barto at 776-9207.

Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.