After a recent streak of attempted robberies that locals say started in mid-February, Woodhaven merchants are done quietly hoping things will get better on their own. Business owners gathered this week at nearly 200-year-old Neir's Tavern and other neighborhood shops for a safety-focused summit, saying the incidents have rattled storefronts along the strip and forced tough choices between costly security upgrades and already thin profit margins.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows at least four masked men trying to force their way into Neir's Tavern earlier this month, and merchants told the summit that as many as 15 stores in the area have been targeted since mid-February. Owner Loycent Gordon told attendees, "This is not the environment we want to live in," as several shopkeepers described security improvements as an expensive but unavoidable cost of staying open. The NYPD said there have been no arrests in connection with the incidents, according to PIX11.
Neir's Tavern, founded in the early 1800s, is one of Woodhaven's best-known landmarks, and neighbors say the attempted break-in feels personal. The bar has long doubled as a local gathering spot, and its history of drawing community support in tough moments is a reminder of what can be lost when commercial corridors are shaken by crime, as reported by CBS New York.
Costs and security concerns
At the summit, merchants said the financial hit from shoring up windows, cameras and alarms is landing squarely on small owners. Repairs tied to the attempted robbery at Neir's Tavern are expected to cost more than $7,000, the owner estimated. Organizers also noted that small businesses account for about half of jobs in New York City, underscoring what is at stake when local shopping strips feel unsafe, and urged city leaders to explore targeted support for storefront protections, according to PIX11.
What officials said
With no arrests yet, merchants said the NYPD's response has increased pressure on shops to take precautions themselves and to move quickly in sharing information when incidents occur. Organizers described the summit as a first step, with owners planning continued talks with neighbors and law enforcement representatives about coordinated patrols, sharing security footage and finding practical, affordable ways to make their blocks less vulnerable.
