Brooklyn Borough President Unveils New Security Cameras In Ditmas Park And Flatbush

DITMAS PARK, BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on Tuesday watched as workers installed the first of what will be several new security cameras to help fight crime across Brooklyn.

Adams opened the day in front of Almac Hardware in Newkirk Plaza, where the first camera was installed. He then took the Q train up to Church Avenue and walked along the corridor to visit other businesses that will get cameras of their own.

"We’re not chasing the numbers, we’re chasing the criminals and we want to decrease crime," Adams told a crowd that included several local leaders and law enforcement officials outside of the hardware store.

"And by identifying them on the camera, we’re able to have the police do a quick apprehension. the goal is zero tolerance, vision zero for crime. No person should be a victim of crime in the city, and these cameras will help us do so."

Adams stood by and watched as a worker installed a camera outside of the hardware store.

The security cameras are part of Adams' "Operation Safe Shopper" program, a partnership between local civic organizations, private businesses and the NYPD that helps install more security cameras in shopper-heavy areas.

Stefan Ringel, a spokesman for Adams' office, told Patch that a specific number of cameras purchased is not available, but the office has given $25,000 toward the effort so far.

After the event in Newkirk Plaza, Adams visited a laundromat, barber shop and other businesses along Church Avenue. One of those places was a McDonald's where just two years ago a brutal beating sent a girl to the hospital.

Rhonda Lyons, the general manager of that McDonald's, said security has improved on the premises and getting a new camera outside will help make things safer.

"There’s a lot of things outside the store," Lyons said. "Unfortunately we don’t have cameras outside the location. What we need is to be outside the location to see what’s happening outside the store, around the corner. Especially when kids are coming from PS6, trying to get out of school."

Images via Marc Torrence, Patch