Harlem Liquor Store Robbed Twice After Historic District Pressures Owner Remove ‘Ghetto’ Bulletproof Glass
- Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:12am by
Christopher Santarelli
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“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.”
(H/T: Gothamist)
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Comments (63)
thegodfather
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:58amJust leave the doors open with a sign…“FREE booze for Harlem residents”
Report Post »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 Post »chfields62
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:09pmHe should sue the district…
Report Post »Observer
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 2:31pmI 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 Post »halojim
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:27amLiberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent.
Report Post »HumbleMan
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:28pmGood point. I would add this quote from Vladimir Lenin:
“The goal of socialism is communism.”
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:17am.
Report Post »If you have a business in a Black African neighbor you need 24/7 Security, or they will Rob you Blind…..
Mark0331
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:27amFunny 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 Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pmyup. 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 Post »Marsh626
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:12amThey’re trying to wish away the ghetto by removing it visually.
ROFL
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:39amYou succinctly summed up the liberal thought process, when it come to crime.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pmI wish I could wish away liberals.
Report Post »gooeylewie
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:10amCalling Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharpton, any outrage here from you guys?
oh that’s right, you can’t further your political agenda.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:30pmInstead 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 Post »hempstead1944
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:10amLive in a cesspool……expect the feces to attack you.
Report Post »Deepdiver58
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:45amGovernment 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?
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:44amA 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.
Report Post »Shellback
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:15amBe 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 Post »Apple Bite
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:40amAll part of the “Resist We Much!” movement, I presume?
Report Post »Tax Revolt
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:36amOh 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.
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:19pmDitto. Me too!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:34amAnd the criminal is wearing a hoodie.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:29amGonzo
Report Post »Could that be Rep. Bobby Rush under that hoodie?
AJAYW
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:15amIt 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 .
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:12amI 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.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:50amIf 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 Post »BHOMustFail
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:04amHas 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!
Report Post »BHOMustFail
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:29amHey 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 Post »obfuscatenot
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:49amThomas 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 Post »ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:01amSpeaking 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/
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:00amSoon 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?
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 7:00amThe 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.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:58amThis 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.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:57amThis is why we can’t have nice things.
(borrowed from another poster, but oh so appropriate here)
Report Post »NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:56amLook! The perp is wearing a hoodie. That can’t be right.
Report Post »BigFoot
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:55amAnother example of how stupid our government is. Oh well, at least the perp wasn’t wearing a hoodie.
Report Post »desertspeaks
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:53amnot one person on the planet can be surprised by this!
Report Post »dissentnow
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:39amAl 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!
Report Post »JoeinKansas
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:43amI think that war has already started….
Report Post »Phattdad144
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:57amIt looks like a getto? Maybe it is a getto.
Report Post »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 Post »dancermommd
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:33amWhat 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.
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:51amWhat makes it look like a ghetto- is the ghetteo,
Report Post »BHOMustFail
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:22amPlease note what the fine, young, upstanding, Skittle shopping, thief/patron man in the video frame is wearing.
Just saying.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:27amGood point!! Now, we need to ram this point home again and again!
Report Post »JoeinKansas
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:33amand again and again and again…….
Report Post »mrqstixx
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:39amYes. Excellent observation. Of coarse this makes you a racist !
Report Post »Grasshopper42
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:52amBut, but, but, that’s profiling . . . and that’s just wrong.
Report Post »