By Joy Bergmann
A few minutes before Tuesday’s midnight closing time, a man entered Wolfnights at 2675 Broadway [102nd Street], pointed a firearm at the gourmet wrap shop’s two staffers and demanded money, according to interviews with an NYPD spokesperson and a Wolfnights employee.
Workers opened the cash register and the gunman reached in, grabbing approximately $50, before shouting, “Where’s the rest of it?” Unable to get more from the staff, he then busted open their tip jar, scooping up bills from the floor before escaping the scene.
NYPD said there have been no arrests yet in the case, describing the suspect as a black male in a black jacket.
No one was physically harmed, but the psychological impact continues to reverberate.
A young woman working on Wednesday told WSR she’d reviewed the surveillance camera footage and was terrified of the man returning to the store. “I’m really, really scared today.”
The staffer said she wishes the shop would close at 8 or 9 like many surrounding businesses. She said the team has talked in the past about becoming a cashless operation [the NYC City Council has banned restaurants and retailers from refusing cash payments]. But she fears if the robber returned and they didn’t have any cash on hand, the results might be worse.
“You never know when he’s going to come back, what he’s going to take, what he’s going to do,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
The continuing decline of quality of life in the UWS. Nothing will change until bail reform has been reversed.
So you are OK for suspects from RICH families getting out, just not those from poor families?
Bail reform just leveled the scales of justice.
“Nothing will change until bail reform has been reversed.”
This presumes the perpetrators are arrested.
You missed my point entirely. A significant amount (if not a majority), of violent crimes that have been committed in NYC in the last two years are by people who are out on bail or who were given very light sentences or had them greatly reduced for the crime(s) they were convicted of. This trend of frequent violent crime will continue.
Just saying a meme doesn’t make the information true. Post the factual evidence. A link will suffice in this age of endless information. If there is no such evidence, then stop with the GOP propaganda.
Has the UWS changed since Covid? Yes.
Did crime happen on the UWS in the past 25 years? Yes.
Is it as bad as the 1970’s. Or even the 1980’s or 1990’s. Nowhere near as bad.
Mark Moore,
That link does NOT provide the requested evidence.
The question is not what were the hold up stats for the precinct in 1998.
The latest NYPD crime stats are easy to find and include comparisons to crime rates in 1990, 1993, 1998 etc:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-city.pdf
Thank you for posting what I was waiting for; the WSR classic comment line “it’s not as bad as the (insert decade)”.
That’s an assertion I haven’t seen backed by the facts. Could you supply the studies that have found that this is the case? Thank you.
“A significant amount (if not a majority), of violent crimes that have been committed in NYC in the last two years are by people who are out on bail or who were given very light sentences…”
That’s not actually supported by verified data. You’re repeating a guess/rumor as fact.
So no, I didn’t miss your point. Your point is to conflate 2 events which are likely unrelated.
https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/New-data-shows-less-than-4-of-people-out-on-bail-16736295.php
State not city, but makes a point for both sides. You can argue a small percentage or you can say thousands of crimes that could have been avoided…
“Among the cases, those released went on to be arrested again for alleged violent felony charges about 4 percent of the time, according to a Times Union analysis of newly published state data. In about 1 percent of the cases, the individuals released were arrested again on violent felony charges involving a firearm while their initial cases were pending.
Those percentages are generally low values, but given the sheer volume of individuals released statewide, they translate into thousands of instances of people being released from custody only to allegedly commit violent felonies soon after.”
The Bail reform passed by the NY State Legislature is for misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.Less than 1% of those arrested for violent felonies in NY were beneficiaries of bail reform. If you want to complain, complain about all the guns Republicans have put on our streets.
Even if the data fails to support that these crimes are being perpetrated by prior offenders out on the streets, there is the psychological effects of the bail reform. I have heard from many in the police/court system that the feeling among criminals is that there is no risk in committing crimes. Nothing will happen to them even if caught. I tend to agree. If I were a criminal, in today’s climate I would not hesitate to commit them.
I suppose its one helluva coincidence then!
That’s we should all have our 2nd amendment rights. Criminals would not be so quick to attempt to attack a well armed establishment. If they tried their success would be limited.
Yeah, I’m sure the lady quoted in this article — ““You never know when he’s going to come back, what he’s going to take, what he’s going to do,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.” — is so wishing she’d had her six-gun that night…
If that actually worked, one would expect the crime rates in heavily armed red states to be significantly lower than in blue states. That is not the case, though. Crime rates are actually higher in red states.
Steffanie, I’d like to see how you came up with that?
She is correct. Some links here: https://www.salon.com/2022/03/16/democrats-for–but-new-data-shows-higher-rates-in-red-states/
https://repustar.com/fact-briefs/do-red-states-rank-higher-in-violent-crime-rates-than-blue-states
Ummmm, that is untrue.
It’s completely true:
https://www.thirdway.org/report/the-red-state-murder-problem
In 2020, per capita murder rates were 40% higher in states won by Donald Trump than those won by Joe Biden.
8 of the 10 states with the highest murder rates in 2020 voted for the Republican presidential nominee in every election this century.
Guns are for killing people. Killing people is wrong.
Wrong. The robber and/or the workers might have been killed. Guns cause violence. This is not the wild west. What needs to be done, is that if/when arrested, the robber needs to NOT be shown the revolving door of the present day justice system. If they knew incarceration was coming, they would not be so quick to commit robberies.
Sure. More armed civilians will help that problem. Oh, please.
This would likely cause the employees to be injured or worse.
You seem to have a very confused idea of what the Second Amendment says, it does not say a thing about personal gun ownership. No matter what Scalia claimed.
Furthermore, more guns, means likely more bullets flying. Look at how badly the NYPD has handled guns out in public over the last 15 years, in case after case, including ones where the shootings by cop were NOT justified, bullets have gone wide/wild.
The Second Amendment says what the Supreme Court has said it says. Please follow this case: “New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. vs. Bruen” which the Court will decide this term. It is almost certainly going to force NYC to loosen its restrictions on private gun ownership and carrying. And we can thank those individuals who put Trump in office in 2017 for that. (Not that anyone’s Trump vote in NYC made a difference – but that’s what they were voting for, whether they knew it or not.)
“The Second Amendment says what the Supreme Court has said it says.”
Wrong.
Neither you nor Scalia can change what the Second Amendment says.
Furthermore, Scalia’s “opinion” only says that the constitution allows for home owners to have guns, NOT that gun regulation is prohibited by the constitution, or the subset of the constitution called the “2nd Amendment”.
So you’re not familiar with the ruling, nor with the Bill of Rights.
Correction: the Bruen case.
Regardless of what the Constitution says or how it is interpreted by anyone other than the Supreme Court, what that court rules is what we live with. “District of Columbia vs. Heller” will undoubtedly be used by the more radical present-day court to significantly weaken NYC’s concealed-carry restrictions in the Brandon case. We can stand in front of the Supreme Court and wave a copy of the Constitution and exactly how will that make a difference?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/05/nyregion/supreme-court-new-york-gun-control-law.html?smid=url-share
Bail reform is not the problem. Doesn’t prevent those with the money from “beating the system.”
What is needed is a “no bail policy” for armed robbery and other similar crimes. And speedy trials. And harsher penalties for armed crimes.
And no bail for repeat misdemeanors.
In other words, a policy that makes sense.
And as far as the suggestion of arming everyone, senseless having the armed robbers shooting all in sight to prevent armed resistance. Now playing, “Shootout at the Westside Corral.”
NPYD would have to arrest them first… NYPD’s clearance rates are criminally (pun intended) low – only ~40% of robberies and ~45% of rapes per the latest data.
It is more complicated than that though. Yes. With the old system wealthy people would get out of jail while the poor were in jail without trial. At the exact same time, the poor guilty people WERE in jail not committing crimes. There are costs and benefits to everything.
Also. I have heard different analyses of the broken windows theory. Some say it was right and others saying that the reduced crime was a result of demographics. But if the broken windows ideas were right, then the people who do not have to deal with bail go off to do more crimes.
Also. With the old system, staying in jail was a deterrent against Doing it again, regardless of whether they were found guilty of the crime or not. And knowing your family couldn’t or wouldn’t bail you out a second time is a deterrent too
The old system really punished the poor. And it meant a lot of innocent people were in jail for no reason. It also meant the guilty were as well.
Whatever decision we make as a society, there are negative consequences.
Also. Of course. Bail reform happened close to the time that the pandemic hit. Figuring out what is causing all this crime is difficult to parse out. I am guessing a lot is going on
The frequent right-wing comments on this site are absolutely disgusting. If you care so much about crimes of poverty like this, why don’t you care about alleviating the poverty that causes them?
Leave your woke UWS bubble and interact with the rest of America. Those posting here are moderate Democrats – we are well to the left of much of America.
The woke like you who prioritize the rights of the criminals over the rights of the innocent, who traffic in identity politics, and are trying to help those who don’t want your help, are a rallying cry for the Republicans. You will turn Congress red this November and get Trump re-elected.
Please get over yourself. And let’s see if your opinion changes when it is you or your loved one who is a victim.
A crime of poverty (which btw is still a crime) is something like stealing a loaf of bread. Not holding up someone at gunpoint. Where’s your compassion for the poor terrified woman who had to experience this awful crime?
This neighborhood deserves what’s happening to it. The city got soft on crime and made changes for political gain. Some clever wordplay calls shoplifting a “victimless” crime and gunpoint robbery a crime of “desperation”. Give me a break. Sleep in the bed you made, UWSers. Maybe you’ll vote differently next election now you get a taste of the not-so-good life?
“crimes of poverty” = threatening death (holding a gun), to a young woman’s face. Yes, such a right wing view.
Save your breath on this one Sad…..there are people on the west side who deep down inside feel we deserve this in the neighborhood. I don’t know what kind of guilt they carry, but in their eyes the perps are the victims, and we as law abiding citizens deserve to deal w/ this lawlessness. Any desire for police and laws is viewed as right-wing , police state fascism.
100%. Apparently you need to lean to the left to be welcome here. In this very welcoming neighborhood…
Proud NYer of 17 years. This is the kinda story that makes one say, “f### it, I’m taking my family and moving to the suburbs.”
On the other hand, the Howling wrap is so good!
The NYPD should assign undercover officers to establishments that have a history of robberies or shoplifting. In the 1960s the NYPD had significant success in combatting commercial robberies with such a unit known as the Stakeout Squad.
In the late 1970’s the NYPD’s notorious Street Crime Unit brought an abrupt end to a string of Midtown bank robberies by assigning its officers to work undercover in the banks.
vote for any running for office who are against catch and release . Bring in more police put the criminals in prison or this will never stop please smell th coffee
Add to the growing list of reasons why things have gone too far and change is needed: small businesses have to consider closing earlier than midnight out of fear of armed robbery. What a sad process it has been to watch the continuing quality of life of decline in the UWS over the last 7 years or so. Hoping current leadership can stop the descent soon.
What I find very frustrating is, Adams (and Hochul which is a bit of a surprise) are pushing for reforms and we have a non-NYC proper resident saying “absolute no.” While I’m sure they are living in some cushy home in Yonkers, the rest of us are pleading for help. This flat out no answer that they have been repeating, is BS.
“Cushy home in Yonkers”?
Dems love this as long as it does not affect them
Let’s go no bail at all
To paraphrase the late Leona Helmsley:
“Unaffordable bail is for the “little people.”” Even for those who are only a suspect but are truly innocent.
To quote/paraphrase a disgraced former Attorney General of the US:
“No one would be arrested if they weren’t guilty.”
And yes, shoplifting is a crime, but to linger 3 years in jail waiting for a Constitutionally guaranteed speedy trial, for stealing a 20 dollar item is a travesty of justice. 3 years of lockup for a 6 month sentence, there is something wrong with this.
And if poverty is no excuse, so is not guaranteeing a job, at a livable wage, for everyone who wants one, no excuse for a civilized society.
Funny, oops maybe not, but as a child reading Les Misérables, we all felt bad for the “dad” hounded for stealing a loaf of bread for a hungry child, but as adults we look to hang the desperate single mother for stealing the same for “her” hungry child.
And I would like to examine all those “Right Winger’s” tax returns for excess expenses claimed. A lot more than the cost of that loaf of bread.
You’ve never heard of SNAP? Food stamps? Food pantries? Soup kitchens? America has an obesity problem .
“we look to hang the desperate single mother for stealing the same for “her” hungry child.” — WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. There is NOT ONE crime like this that is in NYC. NOT. ONE. What IS happening is holding guns to employees heads for cash (remember the Burger King murder a short while ago in Spanish Harlem, where the 19 year old girl was killed?), or “shoplifting” from drug stores and Target with as much items as the person can carry out the door. NO LOAVES OF BREAD.
essentially zero people starve in the world, much less in the US, much less in NYC.
Amazing how humans so quickly forget that which caused most human death just a few decades ago.
I am so sorry you had such a frightening experience. Hope you recover relatively quickly.
Ultimately, discussions don’t matter. People (wealthy and not) are leaving the city, tourism is down, and people are shopping online. These are simply facts.
Horrible and sad. Crime seems to be on the rise in this small area. We’re owners and here for life. One change I’ve noticed over the past year is the frequent presence of drug dealers in front of the smokeshop on 101.
I live two blocks away from this shop. Most of the neighboring stores are closed well before midnight, so the sidewalks are dark and there aren’t many people around.
There’s no reason for the owner of Wolfnights to open the shop this late, putting employees at risk.
absolutely. NY needs to close earlier.
Lets stick to the facts here, and not the UWS residents who are armchair analysts.
A recent analysis by the Times Union of Albany show that between 7/2020 and 6/2021, only 2% of some 100K cases led to a rearrest for violent felony. Meanwhile, the reform kept some 80K out of prison – people who went on to pose no document threat to public safety.
For those who oppose bail reform, I await your data and backup – not your opinions.
Pose no ‘documented’ threat. That means they may or may not be commiting crimes. This only applies to certain felonies. They can be jumping turnstiles, shoplifting, etc. How many crimes aren’t prosecuted?
https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/1/11/22879244/bail-reform-stats-revamped-new-york
We know at least that supervised release isn’t working:
“Overall, the new numbers show 19.5% of all defendants were arrested again before their cases closed — including those released on bail, those released with no conditions on their own recognizance and those released to a social work program known as supervised release.”
“Among those in supervised release, 41.3% were rearrested before their cases resolved, and another 9% after their first cases closed.”
Sad i want to work being a waitress but i am scared i hope they catch him/her.besafe my community
For more context — the Times Union piece GFS cites is hardly the “everything’s fine” take that s/he implies: “Overall, of the 98,145 cases in which individuals were released on charges for which they can no longer be held in custody, nearly one-third led to a new arrest while their initial cases were pending, according to the data.” 1/3 is a lot — not all violent, but still. 4% were rearrested for violent felonies, which given the c. 100K cases, is actually a lot — 4,000. https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/New-data-shows-less-than-4-of-people-out-on-bail-16736295.php
Someone said to me last night ‘What happened to New York’ – I did not have an answer.
but you know the answer. the Left took a left.
Cashless businesses that close at 9pm. That’s the future of the neighborhood. So many comments and no one cares about the business or the employees. Ever had a gun put in your face? Based on the comments the answer is no. These incidents lead to businesses closing and residents leaving.
Cash is legal tender for all debts, public and private. Says it on the money. NYC law from a few years back enshrines that in city law. No going back from that until the law is overturned
Who will want to work at any of these stores? You get a gun pulled on you and people commenting don’t care. Who will work for these places? Risk your life for $15 an hour? I don’t think so. They will have to close earlier and haven’t trouble hiring. The city that never sleeps having stores closed at 8-9pm. They stay open later in the suburbs.
Most of the stores closing early actually provides a better climate for crime, unfortunately. Busyness is a deterrent.
Progressives are losing the battle for criminal justice reform. Their own supporters are becoming disillusioned with them.
departed uws this week for the ues. grew tired of the dirty streets, being asked for money seven times in five blocks, rat sightings and burgeoning crime.