Assembly Member Ron Kim (D-40) announced new public safety measures aimed at deterring crime and protecting older adults during a press conference in Flushing on Wednesday.
Kim presented a $35,000 check to Captain Boss Li of the New York Public Safety Patrol (NYPSP) on Oct. 16, which will expand patrol routes, enhance small business protection, and strengthen collaborations with law enforcement in downtown Flushing.
Additionally, the funding will go towards NYPSP’s ongoing self-defense classes, which teach residents how to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Founded by three locals in March 2021, the New York Public Safety Patrol is a civilian patrol team operating in Flushing. The nonprofit organization currently organizes daily patrols in the neighborhood and provides support for hate crime victims.
Kim also explained how the recently passed New York State Commercial Security Tax Credit Program is a local victory for Flushing business owners who are using security measures to curb crime.
The program provides a tax credit of up to $6,000 to small retail businesses with 50 or fewer employees that operate a physical location in the state and make security-related purchases.
Businesses with fewer than 25 employees may be eligible for a $3,000 tax credit per retail location, and those with more may receive up to $6,000, depending on their size and expenses.
The tax credit program’s application deadline is Oct. 31. Qualifying retail theft prevention measures include security guards registered under the state’s Security Guard Act, security cameras, substantial interior or exterior locking or other hardening measures, alarm systems (including “panic alarms”), access control systems, exterior license plate readers (LPR) technology, and other appropriate anti-theft devices.
Kim called the tax credit program a “common sense approach” to helping the local economy.
“I was happy to champion that policy during last year’s budget negotiations successfully and want to encourage store owners to take advantage of the program now being offered,” he said. “Moreover, the work the New York Public Safety Patrol does in downtown Flushing has been invaluable in providing greater safety and resources for our community. I’m grateful for the work Boss Li and his volunteers do, and I am happy to provide additional funding for their organization.“
In April, NYS Sen. John Liu (D-16) announced that the commercial security tax credit program is part of a package of new laws passed to better protect small businesses from retail theft.
Liu shared that over a year-long period, prosecutors can now combine multiple small larceny retail theft charges into a felony grand larceny charge. Additionally, anyone who attacks or injures workers is now charged with a felony. Liu explained that the new policy should deter repeat offenders from stealing from vulnerable small businesses. The final new measure makes it illegal for shoplifters to re-sell stolen items.
