The rising crime rate in Flushing has left both business owners and displaced workers feeling unsafe. To combat this problem, the Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a program that offers free self-defense classes to business owners and employees in the 11354 and 11355 zip codes.
Classes will run from Wednesday, April 3rd through June 5th at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel and participants can apply on the Flushing BID website by signing a waiver. These classes will be taught by a professional martial artist specializing in taekwondo who will teach participants basic self-defense techniques that focus on punching, grappling, and de-escalation strategies in real-life situations.
The initiative aims to address increasing shoplifting at commercial retail stores and homeless riots that have left many store owners feeling insecure. There are concerns about police response times, which leads to the importance of equipping small business owners with self-defense skills. Dian Song Yu, executive director of the Flushing BID, hopes these classes will provide comfort to participants and empower them to protect themselves if necessary.
Not all businesses have the means to hire security, especially smaller stores. The Flushing BID hopes this program will make all downtown Flushing businesses feel safer and more secure. By providing basic self-defense training, the BID aims to give business owners and employees the tools they need to protect themselves against rising crime rates.