By Alexander Dworkowitz
City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) and an aide to state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing) met with police and victims of recent thefts in downtown Flushing Monday to help foster relations between the NYPD and the local Asian community.
“The message we’re sending out to the community is: don’t hesitate,” said Liu, speaking about the need for those in downtown Flushing to contact police. Liu spoke during a news conference held after the meeting at Laifood restaurant at 38-18 Prince St. The restaurant was recently burglarized, said Liu.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to have law enforcement work for them,” said McLaughlin, who attended the news conference but not the meeting. “This could be the beginning of more communication and more dialogue.”
McLaughlin’s chief of staff, Dale Nussbaum, Liu, Deputy Inspector James Waters of the 109th Precinct and other police officials met with representatives of nine businesses that have been robbed or burglarized in recent months.
While Liu said burglaries and robberies seemed to have risen around the holidays, Waters denied that there was a crime spurt in downtown Flushing.
Instead Waters emphasized his department’s surveillance of downtown.
“I have cops walking out on the roofs on Main Street,” he said.
Timothy Chuang, owner of an herbal store on Main Street called NYTongrentang, said burglars recently broke into his business and stole $30,000.
“They came through the second floor down to my store,” said Chuang. “They cut off the alarm system… they didn’t leave any fingerprints. They were very professional.”
Chuang said his business would be able to survive the financial loss.
Liu also said some of the burglaries were sophisticated, explaining that in one instance the thieves removed videotapes from the security cameras before fleeing the scene.
McLaughlin, who spoke of a vision of downtown Flushing as “a stand-alone city,” said the 109th Precinct needed more cops to keep crime down.
“It’s a very tough precinct to patrol with limited resources,” he said.
Liu agreed.
“As far as getting more resources, Brian and I will have to work very closely,” he said.
When asked if he had enough manpower, Waters responded, “Yes, I certainly do.”
Nevertheless, Waters added, “If you gave me 50 more cops, I’d put them all to work.”
Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.
