Bayside Cops To Businesses: Beef Up Security
BY LIZ GOFF

In light of a recent spike in burglaries at restaurants and retail shops in the Bayside area, police at the 111th Precinct are urging local business owners to beef up security measures by installing high-tech alarms and surveillance cameras at their locations.

Cops at the Bayside stationhouse said there have been six break-ins at local businesses since April 11, where the suspects entered the locations by prying open rear doors, breaking glass or crawling through air vents.

"It's much easier for these people to get in through the back of a location," said 111th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Bill Conway. "It's easier for them to get in where no one will see them." For that reason, police officials are urging business owners to consider installing high-resolution cameras to monitor security at several locations, including the rear entrances of their businesses.

Most businesses are equipped with cameras that capture "scarecrow" images, Conway said. "All you'll see is the blurred image of a person entering the premises." High-resolution cameras provide a clear, sharp image that can serve as a vital tool for investigators, Conway said.

Store and restaurant owners are also urged to make sure their surveillance cameras are turned on, and that they have installed film in the cameras, Conway said. "Why would anyone even bother to turn on a camera that doesn't have film?"

Police officials said owners of the Alley Park Tavern were the hardest hit by thieves who struck during the recent rash of burglaries. Thieves broke into the bar at 224-07 Union Tpke on April 12, where they grabbed $10,000 in cash and checks, police said. The burglars also removed tapes from a security camera that might have captured them in the act.

For information or assistance, business owners are urged to call the Community Affairs or Crime Prevention Officers at the 111th Precinct at 718- 224-5200.