Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams unveiled Wednesday, Operation Safe Shopper, a partnership between local civic organizations and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in which he has funded the deployment of security cameras in neighborhoods across Brooklyn to assist with the investigation of local crimes.
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Through this pilot program, Borough President Adams has allocated $2,500 each in discretionary funds to the Alliance for Coney Island, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation (LDC) in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) in Brownsville, as well as the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID; these grants have been designated toward the purchase of security camera technology that will monitor street activity.
Borough President Adams showcased some of the new equipment at Mr Clean It, a dry cleaning business in Crown Heights, and discussed the impact of the new program to advance safety along the borough’s commercial corridors.
“Too often when criminal activity occurs along our commercial corridors, police waste precious time surveying local businesses to see if they have cameras that may or may not have filmed actions related to the crime,” said Borough President Adams. “Operation Safe Shopper is a smart deployment of security technology that partners key community stakeholders in the greater pursuits of justice and crime deterrence, all while promoting safer shopping experiences that advance local economic activity.”
Through Operation Safe Shopper, participating local civic organizations have agreed to identify storefront locations that provide optimal views of street activity for the installation of street-facing security cameras, through consultation with their local police precinct, as well as to purchase the security camera systems. Selected businesses are responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and repair of their security cameras, as well as their registration with their local police precinct. In the event of a police investigation, businesses will make video footage recorded by the security cameras available to the NYPD.
“We created a program area two years ago to specifically address safety issues on our commercial corridor,” said Meredith Phillips Almeida, executive director of the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC. “We’re serious about maintaining an environment where all who live on or visit Myrtle Avenue can feel secure. We are extremely thankful to Borough President Adams for his vision and investment in safe Brooklyn neighborhoods.”
“We are really pleased to have these funds from the borough president to help improve the safety of children at Washington Park and along our commercial corridor,” said Mark Caserta, executive director of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.
Local community board and precinct community council leaders joined in applauding Borough President Adams for launching Operation Safe Shopper.
“This innovative partnership of retailers, BIDs, and Borough President Adams’ office increases security not just for shoppers, but everyone on the commercial streets included in the pilot program,” said Shirley A. McRae, chair of Brooklyn Community Board 2.
“Commerce thrives in areas where shoppers feel welcome and safe,” said Craig Hammerman, district manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6. “Having extra eyes on the streets can only be good for business. We’re thrilled to be a part of Borough President Adams’ pilot program.”
“Community Board 9 welcomes Borough President Adams’ Operation Safe Shopper,” said Warren Berke, economic development committee chair of Brooklyn Community Board 9. “The additional security cameras will add a level of comfort for our residents, shoppers, and merchants. It will also serve as a deterrent for wrongdoers.”
“We appreciate the collaborations between Borough President Adams’ office, the NYPD, the merchants, and the community in making our street safer,” said Eddie Mark, district manager of Community Board 13. “We believe extra video cameras will help in deterring crime in the area and helping the NYPD identify crime in the area. We believe the commercial strip and neighborhood will benefit from this initiative. Thank you for including the Coney Island community in Operation Safe Shopper.”
“Community Board 16 thanks Borough President Adams for launching Operation Safe Shopper as we, working with the 73rd Precinct and merchants, endeavor to curtail illegal activities and reduce crimes along the Pitkin Avenue BID,” said Viola Greene-Walker, district manager of Brooklyn Community Board 16.
“Operation Safe Shopper is just an additional means of enhancing the investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department,” said Steven Froh, president of the 60th Precinct Community Council.
Borough President Adams expressed his desire to expand Operation Safe Shopper, pending an evaluation of the pilot program
I read yesterday that Adams removed all the Frum Yidden from Crown heights community board ( #9 ) so I guess a measly $2,500 is his way of befriending Yidden after disenfranchising them from development in their own area.