Despite the decreasing crime rate in New York City, many Koreans here still feel that they are in a more dangerous situation than ever before. There is a rising concern for what they feel is inadequate crime prevention action.
As November 11 NYPD report for a 28-day period listed the number of New York City’s crimes: 44 murders; 110 sexual assaults; 2,015 robberies; 1,346 violent crimes; 1,656 home thefts; 3,650 thefts; and 1,206 stolen cars. The total number of crimes for the period is 9,908, which is down by 3.66 percent as compared with last year’s statistics for the same period.
But areas like Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, and Fresh Meadows, crowded with Koreans, have seen an increase in crime. According to records from Precincts 109 and 111, there have been three murders; one sexual assault; 27 robberies; 24 violent crimes; 61 house thefts; three cases of sexual assaults; 31 stolen cars; and 115 thefts, for a total of 262 crimes for the period reported. This is a 17.2 percent increase compared with figures for the same period last year.
This rise in crime seems to be connected to Korean people’s lifestyle and habits. Koreans usually carry cash with them, and usually purchase luxury items, such as cars, clothes or hand bags. As well, they do not normally report lost or stolen items.
But there has also been a change in the nature of crimes committed against Koreans in New York City. Now robbers target Korean churches to commit crimes.
On November 5, in front of a Korean church on 211 Street in Bayside, two Hispanic robbers – a man and a woman – stole the church offerings being taken to the bank by two Korean ushers. The robbers escaped uncaught with over $17,000. The crime began when the female robber approached the ushers with a question. While distracted, they did not notice the male companion running up to their car, which was parked across from the church. The robber smashed the car window and removed an envelope containing the church offerings. Since church officials were afraid to release information that could damage the church’s reputation, the robbery was not reported until last week.
Another example of a crime against a Korean involved a woman who was walking home from a Korean food market in Flushing. The incident occurred in broad daylight. The woman was physically assaulted and sexually attacked by a group of men. All of her valuables were also stolen. She was deeply ashamed by the incident that she, at first, did not report the crime to the police.
This is not an isolated incident; other crimes against Koreans took place in the immediate vicinity of the food market. Recently, there have been a number of early morning attacks against Koreans returning home from local bars. In almost all of the cases, the victims did not report the incidents immediately and initially avoided reporting the crimes to the police.
"To prevent such crimes, above all Korean people themselves must be alert and aware, and know what to do when you meet a street robber or a sexual assaulter. Should a crime occur, it must be immediately reported to the police. The police want to catch and prosecute the criminal, and prevent further crimes by the same person,” an NYPD crime prevention spokesman said.
He added that at this busy end-of-year holiday season, neighborhood thefts are on the rise. To prevent such crimes, especially in a place of business such as a store, the police advised not to resist a robbery attempt – give the robber what is asked for. Resisting a robbery can result in serious physical harm, or worse.
NYPD advised to remove signs and posters blocking the windows and clear up a line of sight through the store windows, making sure that the inside of the store is visible from the street. They recommend two or more workers should be present during the workday and at least two to close the store. The use of automatic surveillance cameras, both inside and outside the store, and posting notices that the premises are under video surveillance is important.
In the event of a crime, the NYPD spokesperson suggested the use of a whistle or alarm device to create an alerting noise and to frequently change the times when deposits are taken to the bank. Finally, it was recommended to connect your cell phone with your store’s phone or home phone.
