BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Local businesses in Bedford-Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights are becoming designated safe havens for community members as part of a new safety initiative in central Brooklyn.
City Council District 36 launched “Safe Stop” on Monday, a program in which anyone feeling threatened can receive assistance from participating neighborhood businesses and organizations.
The establishments are spots along commercial corridors where people can enter in case of an emergency — whether its an adult being harassed or followed, or a student experiencing bullying.
Workers at the locations receive training from the NYPD to report incidents and ensure residents’ safety, according to officials.
“There are hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers throughout this city who want to help when they see bullying, when they see assaults, but didn’t really have a formalized way to do that,” said Councilman Robert Cornegy, who spearheaded the program in conjunction with local precincts, community groups, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
“We have our businesses who actually are our eyes and ears on the ground for all kinds of behavior, whether it’s negative or positive.”
The aim is to “increase the quality of life” for residents, Cornegy added.
Participating venues are ideally located on or near a commercial strip and will have a recognizable “Safe Stop” decal in their window.
At least 10 businesses in Bed-Stuy’s 81st Precinct have signed up, including Peaches Restaurant on Lewis Avenue, Jordan Heads Brooklyn on Malcolm X Boulevard, and Just Us Barbershop on Ralph Avenue.
Officers from the 81st and 79th precincts train workers on how to properly report incidents, such as people involved in a fight or someone requiring medical assistance.
Workers are also briefed on how to provide suspect descriptions and locations to law enforcement, though they are not expected to engage with suspicious individuals.
Participating businesses will have a "Safe Stop" decal visible their window to let people know the location is a safe haven in case of emergency. Photo credit: DNAinfo/Camille Bautista
The program’s launch came in response to growing concerns around safety, according to parents and educators.
“Not only our children, our teachers were feeling unsafe and having issues going to and from schools,” according to Natasha Cherry-Perez, community engagement coordinator for Uncommon Schools.
“We will become each other’s keepers now," Cherry-Perez said. "It will really, really build a heightened sense of community, and once they see that we have each other’s back and are looking out for one another, this will deter and prevent a lot of crimes that are going on.”
Another staff member at Unity Preparatory Charter School said she knew of one incident in the holiday season in which a student was robbed at gunpoint.
One of the first establishments to receive the Safe Stop decal Monday was Two Scoops Ice Cream & Bakery on Fulton Street near Utica Avenue, across the street from Boys and Girls High School.
Kenneth Tunny, owner of Just Us Barbershop, said the program provides an opportunity for him to do more for the community.
"The barbershop is a like a safe haven anyway," Tunny said. "I have a lot of teenagers, even adults, that come to me with issues. Even before I got introduced to the Safe Stop, I was already a safe stop. So now it’s just a forum for me to help even more."
The initiative has been implemented in other neighborhoods throughout the borough, including Brownsville and Sunset Park.
Cornegy’s office hopes to expand in Bedford-Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights and cover all major thoroughfares in the district by spring. New businesses looking to join the program can sign up by calling (718) 919-0740.
