Cops Tell Merchants: Your Neighborhood Is Safe

In the wake of the Wendys massacre where five workers were slaughtered and the broad daylight robbery of the Nobody Beats the Wiz store across the street just days later, some Flushing merchants and their patrons say they are forced to live in fear in what they had previously believed to be a safe community. Officers from the 109 Precinct held two meetings this week to assure Queens businesses that they will serve and protect them with a variety of new programs, and that their fears will be put to rest.
"The Police Department is doing everything it can to make this neighborhood safer," said Inspector Charles Gunther of Queens North "Were constantly trying to reach out to the community, but theres always more that can be done. And well always be out there doing our best to improve conditions and defend the public."
Some of the new programs and technological advances being instituted are QueensWatch, digital cameras and the ability to virtually rent a cop. These were explained in detail by the 109 Precinct on Thursday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 6 at the Sheraton LaGuardia in Flushing in front of a large group of invited businesses.
QueensWatch is a program where participants own a walkie talkie that connects directly to a criminal investigation squad in the NYPD. When a crime is committed, participants simply press their transmit button and they are connected to their local precinct, which is prepared to instantaneously come to the site. Such was the case when the program was first instituted in late April at the Colosseum Mall in Jamaica. There, a man shopping recognized two people who had robbed him the night before. The assailants attempted to escape, but police from the 103 Precinct showed up within five minutes and the suspects were apprehended. There are currently 32 Queens businesses using the system.
One of the major problems Gunther cited was the poor quality of video tapes used at crime scenes. While two were arrested for the Wendys horror, the alleged murderers tried to cover up their tracks by stealing the video. However, by using a digital camera, the quality of the transmission would always be perfect and there would be no possible way for it to be stolen.
"The idea is to prevent crime, not react to it," Gunther said. "If potential criminals know that there is a camera and that instead of a video, the transmission could be received instantaneously, they will be less likely to commit the crime."
Another unique feature of the police department is the publics ability to rent an off-duty police officer. Businesses must apply to the police department to enroll, but once they are members, they can have a police officer for almost any amount of time or occasion for $27 an hour. The only major exception is that they cannot protect any company that has a liquor license.
"Criminals are opportunists," said Sgt. Greg Rueter. "If you take away their opportunity, they will probably look elsewhere."
The merchants had a number of their own complaints. Constant robberies, truants loitering and criminals being let out of jail too early were among the many problems cited. "When they arent buying anything and you can see they are looking to make trouble, we politely ask the kids to leave," Luigi Solimeo, owner of the Main Street McDonalds complained. "But they often refuse and we need the police to help us." Some of the other local businesses at the meeting included Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to name a few.
Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin held his own meeting regarding the Wendys massacre in front of the McDonalds on Monday, June 5 to mourn the victims of the tragedy. A number of Queens leaders joined him including District Attorney Richard A. Brown.
"We are here first to pray for the victims of this tragedy," said McLaughlin," to offer ongoing assistance to the families of the victims, and to stand united in regards to what we know Flushing to be, a microcosm of America, where people work and live in harmony in this most diverse community, perhaps the most diverse in the city, the state, and even the nation."
McLaughlin continued by praising the 109 Precincts efforts, as overall crime in Flushing, despite its latest attacks, has decreased by 16.7 percent since 1999 year-to-date. "Special efforts of outreach will continue and we will show the residents of our community that this is nothing more than an isolated incident. Over time we will heal. Our beautiful community cannot be stereotyped as unsafe."