NYC Business Struggles To Stay Afloat Amid Swarms Of Migrant Thieves
Migrants camp out outside their former hotel, resisting city efforts to move them to a refugee center in Brooklyn (Photo: ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
By Blake Wolf, OAN Staff Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
New York City store owner Chris Ciacco said he is struggling to stay afloat because of high rates of shoplifting by immigrants in his city’s Queens borough.
advertisement
Ciacco’s shop, Kaya’s Palette, a general store selling groceries and other essentials, is just a few blocks from one of the area’s 17 migrant shelters.
In an interview with the media New York PostCiacco claims his store is being attacked “up to six times a week,” resulting in losses of at least $3,000 a month.
“It’s not fair that these people can come into my store and steal whatever they want and nothing is done about it,” Ciacco said.
Ciacco’s store opened in 2021 and experienced only a few thefts during its first year of operation, but a recent surge in immigration to the city has made Ciacco’s store a frequent target for shoplifters.
“We’re just getting by. I don’t think we can continue like this,” Ciacco explained.
Ciacco said he’s also frustrated by the NYPD’s lack of response, recalling a time when his store was being robbed repeatedly, and he called the NYPD multiple times to no avail.
🚨Evolving Crime Patterns: Immigrant Gangs Target New York Stores and Residents🚨
Police sources in Midtown Manhattan are reporting a disturbing trend of immigrant gangs operating together. These groups start off with minor crimes like shoplifting, but quickly escalate to more serious crimes… pic.twitter.com/d4ZSq63lWm
“I tried to wave over 30 police cars down on the road but not a single one stopped to help or even see what was happening,” he claimed.
Ciacco’s situation has been exacerbated by the massive influx of illegal immigrants streaming in from the southern border under the Biden administration.
“New Yorkers, I’ve never in my life had a problem that had no end in sight. This problem has no end in sight,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams (NYD) said late last year.
“This issue will devastate New York City,” he added.
🚨🚨Spike in shoplifting in Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend: Communities in crisis🚨🚨
A recent influx of immigrants to Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend neighborhoods has led to a wave of shoplifting incidents and chaos for local businesses. The neighborhood is… pic.twitter.com/myOPPwkn8m
With no help or support from the NYPD, Ciacco said he had no choice but to create a “wall of shame” along the walls of his store, placing framed photos of thieves with descriptions of the items they had stolen.
Stay up to date! Receive the latest news directly in your email for free. Sign up here: https://www.oann.com/alerts
