Parkchester Becoming an Unsecure Place to Live

Zakir Chowdhury and his family are feeling the burden of the recent robberies that are circulating around Parkchester. What’s worse, these residents feel like the police aren’t doing enough to protect them.
The crime that is occurring in the community is scaring the residents. The statistics on robberies are overwhelming. This lingering affect of robberies in the community is causing many residents to rethink the decision to call Parkchester home.
This year there have been 13 more burglaries than last year. Almost passed midpoint of the year, robbery is leaping towards passing the 2009 statistics.
So far this year, the population in Parkchester is steadily declining. Juana Tatis, an employee who works at the Parkchester North Condominium thinks the population will continue to be affected negatively if the community and the police department don’t find an alternative way to prevent robberies.
“People are unemployed and teenagers are out on the street causing trouble,” said Tatis. “The robberies have been a devastating blow to this neighborhood. I think the population will continue to decline and we will see more empty apartments.”
Residents in Parkchester are aware of recent crimes. Community members post community news and updates in building lobbies around the neighborhood.
Recent robberies are causing havoc in Parkchester. People are more inclined to leave the community because they feel unsafe. Just ask 36-year-old father, Zakir Chowdhury who has been residing in Parkchester for 10 years. He has three children that go to Middle School 127 and feels the overwhelming burden on his shoulder about the recent robberies.
“I feel that Parkchester has changed a lot, there are a whole lot of thefts going on and of course the Parkchester security doesn’t do anything about it.” Chowdhury said. He said the police have been careless in responding.

The 43rd Precinct Police Department has ordered more officers to patrol the streets of Parkchester more efficiently. They have placed more officers in places where there is heavy crime.
“The main priority of the 43rd Precinct is to protect the lives and property of residents by reducing and preventing crimes,” said Chris Cunningham, a veteran officer who patrols the street of Parkchester.
As for the future, Chowdhury says, “I am waiting for my lease to be over to move elsewhere because I will not continue to raise my children in this horrible neighborhood.”
Joseph Nazrul, a resident from Parkchester, left the neighborhood and moved with his family to Amarillo, Texas. Nazrul felt the neighborhood was unsafe, particularly the place where he was residing.
“Every time me and my wife are at work, we were worried that someone might break into our apartment. There was always a sense of panic,” said Nazrul.
Last April, Nazrul was robbed coming home from work. When Nazrul approached his building, he realized that he was being followed. Unlike other victims, Nazrul was not brutally beaten or left helpless on the ground. Instead, the perpetrators simply took his wallet and everything in it and escaped.
Police officials responded to the scene, but they were too late. The three alleged perpetrators left. Nazrul hopes the community gets safer and the police are able to maintain the security.
“The police officers in my opinion are not doing enough. Yes they’re patrolling the neighborhood but I just don’t feel they’re doing enough to help stop the recent robberies,” said Nazrul.