Rising crime rates in Flushing are making business owners and workers feel unsafe. To combat this issue, the Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a program offering free self-defense classes to business owners and employees in zip codes 11354 and 11355. The classes will run from Wednesday Apr. 3 through June 5, and participants can sign up on the Flushing BID website by signing a waiver.
The initiative aims to address the rising commercial retail theft and homeless disturbances that have made many shop owners feel unsafe. There are concerns about police response times, leading to the importance of equipping small business owners with self-defense skills. Dian Song Yu, executive director of the Flushing BID, hopes that these classes will bring comfort to participants and empower them to protect themselves if necessary.
Not all businesses have the resources to hire security guards, especially smaller shops. The Flushing BID hopes that this program will make all businesses in downtown Flushing feel safer and more secure. By providing essential self-defense training, the BID aims to give business owners and employees the tools they need to protect themselves in the face of rising crime rates.
The classes will be taught by a professional martial artist specializing in Taekwondo at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel Ballroom. Participants will learn essential self-defense techniques focusing on kicking, grabbing, and de-escalation strategies for real-life situations. These skills will not only help keep participants safe but also give them confidence in their ability to handle difficult situations.
Overall, this initiative by the Flushing BID is an important step towards creating a safer environment for businesses and their employees in downtown Flushing. With rising crime rates it’s crucial for small business owners to have access to resources that can help them protect themselves and their property. These free self-defense classes are just one way that the Flushing BID is working towards creating a safer community for everyone involved.
