The owner of a Queens store in Long Island City is facing a tough battle against rampant shoplifting that threatens to drive his business under. Chris Sciacco, the owner of Kaiya’s Pallets, located within proximity of 17 migrant shelters, says his store is targeted up to six times a week by thieves.
Sciacco’s store offers a wide range of products at wholesale prices, making it a hot spot for theft. The ongoing losses have reached $3,000 a month, affecting the business’s survival. Sciacco is considering canceling his lease if the theft issue isn’t resolved soon, as he struggles to keep afloat.
The situation has escalated since the opening of the nearby migrant shelters, with thefts becoming a daily occurrence. Small and large items are regularly stolen, with recent examples including stolen Rogaine bottles, children’s underwear, and even an entire pallet of Gatorade.
Despite numerous calls to the NYPD reporting theft incidents, Sciacco claims that no police response was received. Frustrated by the lack of action, he has resorted to creating a “Wall of Shame” within the store to showcase photos of perpetrators. Store manager Bobby Valiente has even started keeping a baseball bat handy behind the cash register for added security.
As the thefts continue unchecked, Sciacco fears for the future of his store. With no end in sight to the ongoing issue, he is left to navigate the challenges of running a business in a difficult environment. The NYPD has not provided a response to the store owner’s concerns, leaving him to battle the theft problem alone.
