Assemblyman Al Graf Hosts Business Safety Seminar

The warm summer weather and a busy work day left more than a few empty seats at a business safety seminar luncheon hosted by Assemblyman Al Graf Tuesday afternoon at Blue Point Fire House.

The seminar, prompted by last month’s , was a way for Graf and officers from the Suffolk County Police Department's 5th Precinct to remind business owners how to protect themselves.

“It’s never a bad idea to educate the public,” Graf said.

As a retired police officer from the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, Graf said it’s important for business owners to be aware of their customers and know how to defend their business.

“What I’ve seen is a lot of times business owners, especially small business owners, don’t have security and are oblivious to people walking in their stores,” he said. “After the CVS incident, I believe it’s important to make business owners aware.”

Graf also said that Bayport and areas like it are beginning to feel too comfortable because of its history of a less-than-minimal crime rate. However, the heroin epidemic is cause for concern. It's not just a problem in bad areas anymore. The epidemic has infiltrated small towns like Bayport, as well.

“Heroin drives people to do things, even if it’s petty larceny or shoplifting, they need the money,” Graf said. “This is meant to teach business owners to keep their senses up and train people to look for signs that someone is stealing or up to no good.”

Officer Joseph DiCregorio of the 5th Precinct’s community relations department gave tips for business owners to look for and how to deter crime.

“The best thing to invest in is a hi-tech security system, including cameras,” he said. “Obviously, that acts as a deterrent, but it assists police in obtaining any information or description of the suspect.”

DiGregorio said gas stations, banks and convenience stores are most at risk, so it’s important to look back on the recent pharmacy events and make sure it doesn’t happen again to other local business owners.

Graf said he organized this seminar for all the Chambers of Commerce in the 5th District. Unfortunately, not one showed up.  “It’s disappointing that no one showed up, but maybe we can reschedule and try this again at another time.”

Lt. Gerald Hardy of the 5th Precinct’s crime sector said if any business owners in the community have personal questions or problems, they are encouraged to come to the monthly community meetings and voice the issue to an officer or the inspector.

The 5th Precinct monthly meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Patchogue.