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Crime

Harlem Liquor Store Robbed Twice After Historic District Pressures Owner Remove ‘Ghetto’ Bulletproof Glass

Mar. 29, 2012 6:12am Christopher Santarelli

Harlem Liquor Store Robbed Twice After Neighborhood Pressured Owner to Remove Ghetto Bulletproof Glass

“Hopefully business will be OK,” store manager Berihu Mesfin of East Harlem’s Freeland Liquor & Wine said in January, after the store’s owner gave in to public pressure to remove bulletproof plexiglass and riot gates from the front of the store. At the time that the security measures were first installed, Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association board members called the store an “abomination” and “ghetto.” After formal complaints were filed with the DOB and the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Mesfin spent tens of thousands of dollars to make changes to the store that several members of the community demanded.

Only three months later, the liquor was robbed, twice. DNA Info reports:

“Freeland Liquor & Wine, at 183 Lenox Ave., was hit about 1 a.m. on March 17, when two men cut the security gate and entered the store, swiping bottles of liquor and cash, the NYPD said.

Then, on Thurs., March 22, three male suspects again busted through the security gate, making off with even more booze and money, police said.”

[...]

“‘If I had the other gate [in], this wouldn’t have happened,” said Berihu Mesfin, referring to the riot gates that drew the ire of locals who said the store appeared “ghetto.’

‘I put [in] the chain gates and they cut it. I put the chain gate again and they cut it,’ he explained. ‘Now I’ll put [in] the metal gates.’

Mesfin said the burglars stole more than $4,000 from the cash register, as well as 180 bottles of expensive liquor, including Ciroc, Hennessy, Patron and Remy Martin. He noted that the second break-in netted the thieves eight large bottles of high-priced booze and a case of expensive wine.”

Harlem Liquor Store Robbed Twice After Neighborhood Pressured Owner to Remove Ghetto Bulletproof Glass (H/T: Gothamist)

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Comments (63)

thegodfather
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:58am
Just leave the doors open with a sign…”FREE booze for Harlem residents”

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- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:44am
  .
  And of course it’s all Whitey’s fault, that those Poor Black Africans have to Steal to make a Living…..
  
  Had a guy that worked for me tell me “It’s Cause my People Built this Country and Ya’ll Owe Me!!!!” I fired him…….Then I told him he should be mad at the Black African that Kidnapped & Sold him in the Frist Place…..
  
  Report this comment
- chfields62
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:09pm
  He should sue the district…
  
  Report this comment
- Observer
  Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:31pm
  I believe that Sheila Jackson Lee will soon speculate that the owner robbed the place himself and broke his nose on a rare bottle of Vino ……………….. et cetera….. et cetera….. et cetera…..
  
  Report this comment
halojim
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:27am
Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.

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- HumbleMan
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:28pm
  Good point. I would add this quote from Vladimir Lenin:
  
  “The goal of socialism is communism.”
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:17am
.
If you have a business in a Black African neighbor you need 24/7 Security, or they will Rob you Blind…..

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- Mark0331
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:27am
  Funny you say that, in Newark,NJ it is so bad, Elected officials have passed ordinances forcing business’ to close early in so called ‘high crime’ areas. Now, these liquor stores and chicken shacks ALREADY have bullet proof windows AND an armed security guard and are STILL ordered to close down or face fines after a certain hour….Thats how bad crime is. The profit lost is incredible…not as incredible or as brazen as the local criminals who are ‘keepin’ it real’.
  
  Report this comment
- HorseCrazy
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pm
  yup. I have a ton of rental properties in black areas and have never had a non section 8 tenant all government pay for me to rent to them and every other day someone is being shot robbed etc. All of the grocery stores have closed but 1 which is a mini mart with bullet proof glass and bars. So now they drive their stolen cars through this poor guys store to break in now, I guess this is Michelle Obama’s food desert she is always spouting off about.
  
  Report this comment
Marsh626
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:12am
They’re trying to wish away the ghetto by removing it visually.

ROFL

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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:39am
  You succinctly summed up the liberal thought process, when it come to crime.
  
  Report this comment
- HorseCrazy
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pm
  I wish I could wish away liberals.
  
  Report this comment
gooeylewie
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:10am
Calling Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharpton, any outrage here from you guys?

oh that’s right, you can’t further your political agenda.

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- Elena2010
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:30pm
  Instead of making a bigger mess of race relations, those two “Reverends” should be bringing the Lordship of Jesus to these neighborhoods. When Jesus is Lord, crime goes down and selfless love goes up.
  
  The only way to get rid of the ghetto or barrio is fm inside the residents.
  
  Pray for our fellow Americans who live this way.
  
  Report this comment
hempstead1944
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:10am
Live in a cesspool……expect the feces to attack you.

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Deepdiver58
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:45am
Government interference, yet again. Has any government program worked? Since when does government interference help those who need it without making someone else pay for it?

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ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:44am
A classic example of government agencies that are more concerned with being PC making bad decisions and forcing a private citizen to do something that ends up costing them money and even possible their lives.

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- Shellback
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:15am
  Be careful of your negative Gummit remarks. Big brother is watching you. I hope the store can get a good lawyer that can sue the Gummit for damages.
  
  Report this comment
Apple Bite
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:40am
All part of the “Resist We Much!” movement, I presume?

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Tax Revolt
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:36am
Oh look at that. The thug they are looking for is wearing a hoodie. Go figure. If I was the owner of the store I would file a suit against the organization that demanded the removal of the security measures that were preventing the robberies. I would ask for repayment of all that was lost, the cost of the security downgrades as well as the cost of re-installing the previous security measures.

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- RamonPreston
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:19pm
  Ditto. Me too!
  
  Report this comment
Gonzo
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:34am
And the criminal is wearing a hoodie.

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- AJAYW
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:29am
  Gonzo
  Could that be Rep. Bobby Rush under that hoodie?
  
  Report this comment
AJAYW
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:15am
It was unfair that the store was not allowing crooks to brake in now they can do it at will. The store needs to share what they have with those that don’t have its only fair .

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Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:12am
I am suprised they arent shut down by Americans with Disabilities Act…There is no ramp to the store. How did they stay open without one?

I had to move a toilet paper holder 4″ because of ADA rules or shut down…The 4″ that I moved it made it almost impossible to use the toilet because it hit your knees. We have an idiot government.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:50am
  If you are in a wheel chair you probably don’t need alcohol (chock full of calories). That is if you want to live longer.
  
  Report this comment
BHOMustFail
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:04am
Has anyone noted the “LifeLock” commercial showing the WHITE guy walking into the Bank, with HOOD up to hide his head, and the BLACK security guard looking at him with suspecting eyes, and the narrative talking about how Bank Robbers don’t look like what we’d suspect.
That’s racial profiling…I’m upset…I’m white (or a ******* for those who only understand NBP lingo) how dare they suggest that if I’m white and enter a bank with my hood on and my pants sagging and skittles in my pocket that I’d be Suspect #1!!!??? Where is the outrage????

P.S. I love Skittles!

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- BHOMustFail
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:29am
  Hey Blaze Moderator!!!! Glenn runs the video all the time with NBP bozo using the C word all the time. Do we have to use code for the C-word…i.e. Ritz, Saltine, Wheat-thins, Oyster???
  
  For those who aren’t following substitute ******* in the original post with any favorite salty wheat-based snack product such as Cheez-Its.
  
  Report this comment
- obfuscatenot
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:49am
  Thomas Sowell 2005 “Black Rednecks-White Liberals” According to Mr. Sowell the origin of said salty carbohydrate that is soooo offensive is actually from ENGLAND! It references the braggerts that had to puff themselves up to look tough so as to defend themselves- wise-********. These rural Scots/Brits came to the U.S. in the 18th century and primarily settled in the South. They were known to do little, and that little they did was done poorly, but they bragged themselves up! AND were quick to fight. Fascinating what selective history and progressive teaching of what’s left of history does for a Nation. No?
  
  Report this comment
ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:01am
Speaking of ghettos and racists, here’s one so over the top that it is unbelievable that blaze didn’t pick it up:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/26/metro-derailed-by-culture-of-complacence-incompete/

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Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:00am
Soon the business will be forced to fold, the windows busted out, and the store will be just another plywood covered eyesore. Ain’t government great?

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ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:00am
The liquor store wasn’t serving fresh fruits and vegetables per Moochele Obama. Let this be a warning to you, Mr Liquor Store Owner. Stock the fruits and vegetables. Or else.

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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:58am
This is why you do NOT invest in trashy neighborhoods/cities that are filled with trashy people. Though it may be profitable for awhile (since you are the only “game” in town), they will eventually go from being thankful you are there to buy from, to being thankful you are there to rob.

Move out & let them rot.

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ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:57am
This is why we can’t have nice things.

(borrowed from another poster, but oh so appropriate here)

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NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:56am
Look! The perp is wearing a hoodie. That can’t be right.

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BigFoot
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:55am
Another example of how stupid our government is. Oh well, at least the perp wasn’t wearing a hoodie.

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desertspeaks
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:53am
not one person on the planet can be surprised by this!

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dissentnow
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:39am
Al Sharpton couldn’t be reached for comment, as he was too busy using the death of some kid in Florida to promote the coming race war.

Resist we much!

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- JoeinKansas
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:43am
  I think that war has already started….
  
  Report this comment
- Phattdad144
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:57am
  It looks like a getto? Maybe it is a getto.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Almighty_Creestof
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:06am
  “Yo dog, you gots any green left on yer food stamp card?”
  
  “No dog…I sold whats left on it for bread to play the lottery. Hows ’bout you?”
  
  “Nah dog. I’m tapped out. Whats we gunna do bro? We gots 4 days ‘for dey gets refilled wit da jolly green…and I’s hungry.”
  
  “Um, let’s see…I knows! Grab yer hoodie bro, we gonna be a 2 man demonstration for dat dead brutha in Miami!”
  
  “Who?”
  
  “Neva mind…we gots food to boost!”
  
  Report this comment
dancermommd
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:33am
What makes it look like a ghetto is the disrepair evident in the door and fence of the other tenant and the unswept sidewalks with trash/leaves laying around. The liquor store has a clean exterior and looks to be well maintained.

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- Mateytwo Barreett
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:51am
  What makes it look like a ghetto- is the ghetteo,
  
  Report this comment
BHOMustFail
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:22am
Please note what the fine, young, upstanding, Skittle shopping, thief/patron man in the video frame is wearing.

Just saying.

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- RightUnite
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:27am
  Good point!! Now, we need to ram this point home again and again!
  
  Report this comment
- JoeinKansas
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:33am
  and again and again and again…….
  
  Report this comment
- mrqstixx
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:39am
  Yes. Excellent observation. Of coarse this makes you a racist !
  
  Report this comment
- Grasshopper42
  Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:52am
  But, but, but, that’s profiling . . . and that’s just wrong.
  
  Report this comment

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