Did NYPD or any insurance company anywhere in NYC ever make an example of someone filing a false theft report in an attempt to defraud an insurance company? There is just too much police focus on gym thefts for there to be any significant amount of fraud IMO. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160511/union-square/gym-thief-caught-after-lock-breaking-spree-across-manhattan-police-say.amp https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161102/midtown/batman-rolex-locker-room-nypd-theft.amp https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Gym-Locker-Thief-New-York-Sports-Club-Manhattan-410887645.html?amp=y https://nypost.com/2017/08/31/police-search-for-gym-rat-responsible-for-ymca-robberies/amp/ http://www.silive.com/news/2014/08/staten_island_gym_locker_thiev.html From The New York Times: "Detectives Are Now Calling ‘Gotcha’ Far From the Scene of the Theft" The New York Police Department has established a Grand Larceny Division, which examines patterns, like breaking into gym lockers, to identify suspects. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/16/nyregion/detectives-are-now-calling-gotcha-far-from-the-scene-of-the-theft.html — James on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

As I said, some of the reports of theft could be fake. A police report is necessary for the insurance claim. Certain police reports are accessible to the public and some media outlets like the Tribeca Trib publish them under headings such a Police Blotter as a way of informing their readers of crimes in the area. They also provide content to fill space. You won’t ever see any follow up reports about whether a claim was fraudulent or not. Those transactions are private between the insurance company and the claimant. If an insurance company feels a claim is fraudulent they won’t pay it. If they pay a fraudulent claim its because they were presented with documentation they believed to be real such as a bill of sale. An accompanying police report adds validity to the claim. I could walk into a police station now and report a list of very expensive items of mine were stolen and as a matter of procedure they make a report. And then you will read about it on a website somewhere. — PeterD on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Do you have a single news story of a false theft report? There are lots of stories about arrests for gym thefts and lots of police attention. That's not typical of invented crimes. Even dumber are the guys who take home women from bars who then steal their Rolexes. https://nypost.com/2017/11/21/temptress-gets-slap-on-the-wrist-for-swiping-watches-from-wealthy-men/ — James on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Apparently, the POS system was a POS! — Murray St on Seen & Heard: 1st Precinct Car Caught in the Act

That intersection has always been a problem - for drivers too - even before the construction. I think at the very least, they need to put a 4- way stop sign I remember calling councilwoman Chin’s office about it a few years ago. A traffic light would even be better. — Darla on Seen & Heard: Dangerous Blind Intersection

Many people seem to assume all of these reported thefts are true. Some could very well be fake. To file an insurance claim for property theft you need a police report. You will notice many of these “stolen” items are high end worth thousands of dollars. Stupidity thefts or clever insurance scams? — PeterD on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

This is defintley a win for 3 WTC. 200,000 sq ft is a nice chunk of space, and they are bringing 900 executives over to the tower. This along with all the tenants in 1, 4 and 7 WTC makes it nice to know thousands of people work at the Trade Center again. Now its time to get 2 WTC up. — Anthony on In the News: Another Tenant for 3 World Trade Center

Adults are expected to take reasonable precautions against reasonably foreseeable risks. People who have $5,000 or $9,000 to spend on a watch, plus the money to join a gym and the free time to use it, should really know better. NYPD has tried for 10-15 years to promote awareness of the issue. For example: Health Club Safety Tips. (http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_prevention/NYPDcptips_HealthClub.pdf) TIPS FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY What Can I Do? Security cameras are not allowed inside a health club locker room – and perpetrators know that. Membership safety may rest with the club owners, but you are still urged to follow certain safety precautions to thwart thieves: Vigilance Remain alert while wearing headphones or watching television during a workout. Opportunists often target people who are preoccupied. Distractions At times a perpetrator may not be alone; diversion, including loud music, is a common ploy used to remove one’s belongings. Combo Lock Use a combination lock on your locker – keys can disappear. Shallow pockets Wallets, cell phones, money, and keys can become visible – don’t temp a thief. Consign valuables Upon arrival, ask the front desk to safeguard valuables in the health club safe. Do not leave these items in your car. Please be smart and stay safe! — James on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Why is everyone blaming the victim of a theft? Being careless, absent-minded, or too trusting of others does not merit being robbed. — Marcus on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Thanks, Brian. If anyone out there needs to reach Brian, email tribecacitizen@gmail.com and I'll put you in touch. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: 1st Precinct Car Caught in the Act

I wanted to apologize to everyone who was overcharged. I have changed our POS system out this weekend to prevent this from happening again. As a business owner this is ones worst nightmare. I know many were overcharged multiple times. Most have already been refunded or went directly this the bank. Again I am truly sorry for any inconvenience this caused any of our patrons. Please feel free to contact me directly with any concerns Happy Holidays Respectfully Brian Schoenberger — Brian Schoenberger on Seen & Heard: 1st Precinct Car Caught in the Act

Happened to us a few weeks ago. We noticed it and called the owner, and he was able to reverse the charges quickly. Owner has stated that it was the point of sale company. His old POS stated they had fixed it, and it happened again. Am told he is suing the former for damages. Please get a statement from him directly though. He needs the local support or we're going to have an other vacant storefront! — Anonymous on Seen & Heard: 1st Precinct Car Caught in the Act

Those are largely Friedland Properties, if I recall correctly. Here is what commenter wrote on this Times editorial: "This problem is not unique to NYC. In Mount Kisco, NY (Westchester County) there have been several stores empty for years. Friedland Properties is the landlord for several of these spots. Friedland is also one of the biggest landlords for Madison Avenue. Mount Kisco business owners have been complaining about being priced out for years" — James on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Why why why do people bring these pricy watches to the GYM? I am flabbergasted by this. I cannot keep track of the seemingly endless amount of these stories that appear in the Tribeca Trib. Over and over the same thing. Hello Rolex owners: "LEAVE IT AT HOME!" — Bruce on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

The blotter is filled with "stupidity thefts" such as gym lockers left open, wallets and handbags left unattended. I wonder what percent they are of all those reported. I'm not counting "handbag on the seat next to you" thefts. — A on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

I was on West 8th Street between Broadway and University yesterday and was stunned by the number of empty storefronts. Much worse than any other street I've seen. — A on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

How can you shoplift $4000 worth from Urban Outfitters and not get noticed? And who knew Rogaine has street value? — mruptight on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Agree with all the observations about D&D; I was taken aback when I went there last week. The changes they made obviously were sensible, given the long lines for soups and prepared foods in the past. At least they kept the seafood and butcher, but the other departments (cheese, produce, salumeria, etc.) are scaled back, and makeover did strike me as a glorified deli. So good luck to them and serving their perceived clientele, but as a Tribeca resident I have less motivation to go there. — Arthur on Seen & Heard: Dean & Deluca Is Closer to Being a Deli

The entire building is 200 Water. — Erik Torkells on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Rather certain Tomorrow is on Pearl Street between John and Fulton where Num Pang was for a very brief moment. Any 3 items for $10...looking fwd to sampling one day soon. — en_b on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

From the same blotter (fool me once...): 54 Murray (Equinox), 9/17, 5:30 pm (reported 9/24) A 40-year-old Thomas Street resident placed her $5,000 Cartier Ballon Bleu watch on a ledge before entering the locker room shower. When she got out, she discovered that it was gone. — R on In the News: What to Do About All Those Empty Storefronts?

Not sure it’s defensiveness. Motorized bikes and skateboards are a real hazard on the bikepaths. Many travel over 20mph. I’m surprised many more are not regularly injured. The parks department seem to be stepping up patrols but have not put a dent in the overall proliferation even with additional bollards. These vehicles represent a true danger as well. A breakdown is n vehicles is necessary however there should be no motorized vehicles on the bike path. — Afm on In the News: A History of Drivers on the Bike Path

This myth again? — James on Seen & Heard: Another Small Business at Risk

reckless! — NATIVE on Scaffolding on the Rampage

recess IPN no surprise. Charging tenants from $3,000-8,000 an apartment. I knew sooner or later a problem with the scaffolding. I don't know how they still get away with things. — NATIVE on Scaffolding on the Rampage