BRONX, NY (PIX11) – Anti-crime cameras are up and running in the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District.
Community leaders and the NYPD say this will keep all eyes on any illegal activity happening in the neighborhood.
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“Anyone who is doing anything illegal in the Throggs Neck bid, we will be watching you,” said Bob Jaen, Executive Director of the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District
The message is loud and clear. With about a dozen anti-crime cameras installed, eyes are on everyone and crime is not welcome in this neighborhood.
“You’ll have every inch from Bruckner and Tremont to Miles and Tremont. Every inch, I can turn around and see the hair growing on his face,” Jean added.
For Joe Demarco, owner of an Italian deli on Tremont Avenue, reckless and speeding drivers are what worries him most. He says it for himself and for his business. It’s personal.
“Speeding actually killed my employee’s mother. That’s how she lost her mother. About six years ago,” he said.
The cameras are monitored in real time by 45th police station and headquarters.
“So if something happens, we can actually air it or review it. We use this as a tool to assist in an investigation and it also serves as an additional tool for prosecutorial services,” said Johnny Orellana, NYPD Deputy Inspector and Chief of 45th District.
There are 321 companies in the district; Jaen says this extra layer of security is already producing results.
“Three days after the cameras were installed, a lady was attacked and robbed at 10 am, when she was walking to the bank. She came up from behind. Her body hit her and ran. Guess what we filmed it for.
He’s hopeful the cameras will also help crack down on illegal pot shops.
“Right now I believe there are 9 in the part. When these cannabis stores are robbed, they don’t call the police. We will not allow this cancer to reach this neighborhood.”
The cameras were made possible with funding from New York State Assembly member Michael Benedetto. PIX11 News found that 400 thousand dollars were allocated for this project
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