NYC takes lead in Identifying Criminals

 

7-11 store being robbed by masked individuals

Over the last couple of years, we as a nation have seen a rise in mob shoplifting actions throughout the country as the COVID-19 scare became a daily issue. What the COVID-19 scare truly did was not to safeguard citizens from a flu virus but expose them to economic destruction by thousands of criminals who entered stores and shops wearing masks, not allowing security cameras to capture their faces on film to help law enforcement seek out who they are and arrest them for such acts of criminal behavior and destruction.

In March of 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams called upon all store owners to take down their masks that must be worn inside store signs at their entrances and to ensure that their security camera systems are working properly. Not only were criminals wearing masks when entering stores, but they were also wearing gloves, hoods, and hoodies while carrying large empty bags. Store employees knew they were going to be robbed and braced themselves for the onslaught because these individuals (the criminals) never traveled alone, there was always a mob with them. His words were clear, “Do not allow people to enter the store without taking off their masks.” He continued “When you see these mask-wearing people, oftentimes it’s not about being fearful of the pandemic It’s fearful of the police catching them for their criminal deeds,” he told 1010-WINS.

Apple Store being robbed by Teenagers wearing masks and hoodies

Criminals filled their bags with merchandise, stole money out of registers, and knocked other merchandise off the shelves, causing havoc in the store for employees. Many stores reported the loss of thousands of dollars in both merchandise and time lost due to stores having to be closed to take inventory and clean up the mess. Who do these actions harm, not just the store owner and its employees but the citizens in the community who depend on that store for food, toiletries, clothing in some cases, medicine, and other necessities. When our citizens can’t shop in their local stores, they must go outside the city to neighboring cities to shop and in some cases the next state because those stores have been robbed and destroyed too. Some stores were set on fire causing serious economic strife to those who live in the area. New York City Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey took the lead and asked business owners to work with them by asking them to take down their must-wear mask signs at the front door of their stores. This action would and has opened the door for police to utilize facial recognition software to identify these criminals who find it necessary to rob New York City stores and cause serious damage to the local economy. Statistics throughout New York City on reporting crime and shoplifting have gone down by 12% in January and February compared to last year, according to Chief Maddrey, but that’s not become crime has decreased in the city, it’s because store owners have failed to report criminal activity because they know that Law Enforcement can’t catch the robbers due to not being able to identify them because of their masks.

New York City isn’t the only location with this problem, it’s a problem across the nation. With the COVID-19 mask requirements coming to an end across the nation, Law enforcement will finally be able to get back to what they do best, investigate crimes in their city by using facial recognition software to identify criminals. Thank you Chief Maddrey for taking the lead in fighting this criminal activity, now please clean up the city once and for all.

 Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a master’s in criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.