Del, a seven-year-old, 90-pound German Shepard, along with his partner Mike, spend about 12 hours a day in the cold tending to businesses in the Penn Station area of 34th Street.
This is because theft in some businesses has gotten out of control, according to Kevin Ward, vice president of the 34th Street Partnership, a group of businesses in the area.
Theft is a criminal offense.
“Well, we’ve been having issues with crime in the area, specifically shoplifting and we’ve decided to be a little proactive and form a K9 team with one of our security officers to try and stop the shoplifting. And so far It’s been very effective,” Ward explained.
Ward said that although the investment is very high, it is necessary, because not only do they lose money with thefts, but putting certain products under lock and key means hiring more staff.
“People walk into stores and if they have to wait for someone to give them product, and sometimes they’re in a hurry, they leave, which reduces sales, as well as the merchandise they’re losing,” Ward added.
But these robberies do not only occur in businesses in this neighborhood, which perhaps have more budget for these alternatives. Bodegas, supermarkets and stores in Latino communities also suffer, as the bail reform laws affect them even more.
“We have most of the merchandise tied up or we have it behind the ‘counter’, we have also had to hire people to keep an eye out and follow up on the person when they enter. It shouldn’t be, we shouldn’t live in such a tense environment, but it is a consequence of the fact that there is no consequence with criminals,” said Francisco Martes, president of the NY Association of Bodegueros and Small Businesses.
Reality in many wineries.
In a winery in Inwood that is more than 30 years old, the idea of having the dogs seems not bad, but the cost would be unaffordable.
“Now crime is rising a lot, and one works with a little bit of fear, lately the police do nothing, when you catch a person stealing, call and they don’t answer, many times they don’t even come,” said Anyolina Cruz, an RJ worker Store.
According to figures from the New York police, so far this year petty thefts have increased 7.2% so far this year, compared to 2022. Major thefts have dropped 4.6% in the same period.
With Del at the door and keeping an eye on everything around him, they say he scares away bad guys and happy customers.
The police dog presence began in early February, and as long as it works, the 34th Street association says, it hopes the city will address what’s really needed, more police officers.
