[Sources – starbuckseverywhere.com (left) and beta.plazes.com (right)]
On February 15 while I was interviewing a source for an article in the crowded Starbucks on 41 Union Square West (next to McDonalds; near 17th St), a teenage girl went hysterical when she discovered her missing book bag, after leaving it unattended to go order. A cop arrived and started to jot down a report, as though this was a routine action. He eyed a homeless man close by and started to question him. The homeless man looked either too drunk or drugged to answer. He slowly gathered his belongings and left the coffee shop pushing a shopping cart.
Several seated customers, many surrounded by laptops and blackberries, stared at the unfolding action. One young man in his twenties said that he visits this Starbucks location often and witnesses people getting their belongings stolen all the time. The baristas behind the registers do not seem to be frazzled by the commotion, since none of them stopped by to see what has happened.
According to the most recent 13th Precinct crime statistics for the week of April 2 to April 8, grand larceny was the biggest crime with 29 incidents in this area. One police officer, who asked to be anonymous, believes that pick pocketing especially in this Starbucks is the biggest crime in the Union Square neighborhood. He stated that stolen laptops in the coffee shop occur very often, since it is a popular hangout where one can have access to the internet. Many times, the victims are non-NYC residents, who leave their belongings unattended while they order their coffee, he said. There is also another Starbucks in the area on 10 Union Square East.
This is very sad news that people can’t even feel safe when they go into a cafe, especially a well established one like Starbucks. What are they doing in terms of security for its customers? Are there actually any security guards in Starbucks?
I am a huge Starbucks fan and there has been plenty of times that I walk into one of their stores and see laptops, blackberrys, wallets,etc. on tables unattended. Crime happens anywhere to anyone, so I think that people should be more aware of their belongings. Starbucks should also post notices reminding them not o leave their belongings unattended and maybe add security guards to help their customers feel safer.
It’s a sad story to hear but people need to stop thinking that everyone else has their best interest in mind. Most people are out for themselves. Being New Yorkers, we are stereotyped as having this cynical attitude about everything- including keeping our valuables within sight at all times and not trusting anyone. Although Starbucks could help remind customers to watch their belongings, the responsibility lies with the customer if they wish to keep their belongings.
I personally believe that the customers should not leave their things unattended because you cannot trust anyone. Also, I realize that anyone can walk into a Starbucks and employees are not even aware of it, especially when the store is crowded. Best is to keep personal belongings by your side at all times.