{"id":170886,"date":"2026-03-21T19:31:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T19:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/170886\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T19:31:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T19:31:02","slug":"queens-small-businesses-push-for-stronger-safety-measures-after-attempted-robberies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/170886\/","title":{"rendered":"Queens small businesses push for stronger safety measures after attempted robberies"},"content":{"rendered":"

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) \u2014 Business owners in Queens are calling for stronger public safety measures after an attempted break-in at one of Woodhaven\u2019s most well-known landmarks.<\/p>\n

The incident happened earlier this month at Neir\u2019s Tavern, a nearly 200-year-old establishment in Woodhaven. Surveillance video shows at least four men with their faces covered, apparently trying to force their way into the building.<\/p>\n

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On Saturday, small business owners, community members and organizers came together for a summit focused on safety and crime prevention.<\/p>\n

The goal was to share information, support one another and discuss ways to better protect local businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is terrible. This is not the environment we want to live in,\u201d said Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir\u2019s Tavern.<\/p>\n

Rachel Kellner of Aigner Chocolates said security upgrades have become an expensive but necessary part of operating a small business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have cameras in front of our businesses, the side of our business, motion detectors, but all of those things cost so much money,\u201d Kellner said.<\/p>\n

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Business owners said the attempted break-in at Neir\u2019s Tavern is part of a broader pattern. They told PIX11 News that as many as 15 stores in the area have been targeted since mid-February.<\/p>\n

At Neir\u2019s Tavern, damage from the attempted robbery is still visible. The owner said repairs tied to the incident are expected to cost more than $7,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many economic conditions against us, and crime, which we are subjected to now, is on the rise,\u201d Gordon said.<\/p>\n

The merchants at the gathering also said they were frustrated by what they described as a lack of communication after recent crimes in the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing was communicated to all the businesses. They were subjected to burglary, and nobody really knew,\u201d said Gordon. \u201cWithin 3 miles of my business, if there\u2019s a burglary to another business, I should know. This would be our version of the Amber Alert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Organizers said small businesses account for about 50% of jobs in New York City, making their safety and stability critical to local communities.<\/p>\n

They said more meetings and safety discussions are expected in the coming weeks as they continue pushing for action from city leaders.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour words mean nothing. Your actions mean everything at this point,\u201d one business owner said, addressing elected officials.<\/p>\n

The NYPD told PIX11 News there have been no arrests.<\/p>\n

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