Merchants in Throggs Neck got some crime prevention tips at their latest meeting on how to prevent robberies and scams.
Coming on the heals of a robbery of a pizza place on Ampere Avenue in Spencer Estate in December and two others in the east Bronx that could be a pattern, concerned merchants who are members Throggs Neck Merchants Association got visits Feb. 19 from Senator Jeff Klein and 45th Precinct Crime Prevention Officer Erin Rabbitt to discuss crime prevention.
Since strong shopping strips like E. Tremont Avenue are vital for the success of communities, Klein expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to discuss crime prevention and safety with the merchants.
“I’m pleased to be helping our local precinct and merchants partner-up so that we can prevent these issues from becoming the norm,” said Senator Klein. “In order for our local economy to thrive, we need our merchants and their customers to feel safe. Let this be a warning to criminals: starting today, our police will be helping store owners set up cameras and secure their shops, so you better think twice before visiting again.”
Rabbitt said that NYPD offers a variety of crime prevention programs, and provided sign-up sheets for the merchants for security surveys, which are also available for homeowners.
“The NYPD offers free security surveys for your business,” she said at the meeting. “We come in and look at your business from the interior and exterior, and a report is issued with safety tips for you about how you can better secure your business.”
She said she visited the pizzeria in Spencer Estate and was able to provide some tips about how the robbery could have been prevented or the perpetrator could have been caught.
She said that NYPD can “go over everything step-by-step to better secure your business.”
