VTMBH Article: Body
In the Bronx, where Korean-owned stores are heavily concentrated, a recent increase in theft has left business owners uneasy and demanding a high level of caution.
According to the Federation of Korean Business Associations of Bronx, there have been two break-ins within the last week, around 170th Street and Jerome Avenue near Grand Concourse, where there are numerous Korean jewelry stores and liquor stores. On the night of July 28, a fast food store was robbed, and on August 4, a cellular phone store was hit.
The thieves usually enter the stores after they are closed, breaking the shutters from the outside, then stealing money and goods.
Owners of the robbed stores, along with members of the Federation, visited the police station to demand increased patrol of the area; the police promised that more patrolling officers, now in pairs, will be stationed in the area.
Recently, a greater number of large and small thefts have been reported by the members. Although the crime rate is much lower than it used to be, there is still a steady growth in various crimes, said Taesun Kang, president of the Federation.
Right now, the most important thing is for the owners themselves to take charge of the situation and prevent their stores from being damaged, Kang added. We are working closely with the police department to come up with effective ways to prevent crimes.
On July 20, a thief entered a Korean-owned grocery store in the northern Bronx by drilling a hole through the roof; he or she stole $2,500 worth of goods and cash. Another Korean store nearby suffered similar losses. On Aug. 1, in a warehouse near the Hunts Point Market, two armed robbers shot an Asian man and took $3,000 in cash.
According to the Federation of Korean Business Associations of Bronx, there have been two break-ins within the last week, around 170th Street and Jerome Avenue near Grand Concourse, where there are numerous Korean jewelry stores and liquor stores. On the night of July 28, a fast food store was robbed, and on August 4, a cellular phone store was hit.
The thieves usually enter the stores after they are closed, breaking the shutters from the outside, then stealing money and goods.
Owners of the robbed stores, along with members of the Federation, visited the police station to demand increased patrol of the area; the police promised that more patrolling officers, now in pairs, will be stationed in the area.
Recently, a greater number of large and small thefts have been reported by the members. Although the crime rate is much lower than it used to be, there is still a steady growth in various crimes, said Taesun Kang, president of the Federation.
Right now, the most important thing is for the owners themselves to take charge of the situation and prevent their stores from being damaged, Kang added. We are working closely with the police department to come up with effective ways to prevent crimes.
On July 20, a thief entered a Korean-owned grocery store in the northern Bronx by drilling a hole through the roof; he or she stole $2,500 worth of goods and cash. Another Korean store nearby suffered similar losses. On Aug. 1, in a warehouse near the Hunts Point Market, two armed robbers shot an Asian man and took $3,000 in cash.