QUESTION
What role does retail theft play in the issue of vacant storefronts and businesses going out of business?
0:57:58
·
55 sec
Council Member Oswald Feliz inquires about the extent to which retail theft contributes to the problem of vacant storefronts and businesses closing in various communities. Tian Weinberg, the Chief of Staff at the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), acknowledges that retail theft is an issue raised by store owners.
- Each neighborhood faces different challenges, requiring tailored approaches.
- Each store owner's experience varies.
- SBS focuses on ensuring equitable access to law enforcement and fostering strong relationships between businesses and local precincts.
- The goal is to remove any hesitancy or stigma around seeking assistance from local precincts regarding retail theft.
Oswald Feliz
0:57:58
And to what extent would you say retail theft plays a role on the issue of vacant storefront?
0:58:04
Would you say that's, you know, one of the top five reasons for the going out of business problem that we're seeing in many communities?
Tian Weinberg
0:58:13
I would say it's certainly something that comes up when we talk to folks.
0:58:16
But as deputy commissioner Brown says, each neighborhood is very different and each one requires a tailored approach.
0:58:23
And each store owner's experience is also very different.
0:58:26
So that's why we're really focused on making sure there's, like, equitable access.
0:58:31
To law enforcement officials and ensuring that relationships there are strong so that people can ask for help when they need to.
0:58:38
We don't want there to be any sort of stigma for our hesitancy in terms of asking for assistance from your local precinct.
Oswald Feliz
0:58:47
Thank you.
0:58:48
Thank you so much.
0:58:48
So we'll hear from Council member Baucher and then from Council member Baucher.
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Have we seen retail theft increase in the last 2 years or anything showing that we might be moving in the right direction on that issue?
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What is the status of the implementation of Local Law 157 of 2019 regarding the reporting of monthly rents and lease status for commercial spaces?
