I was taken aback to learn that a drugstore clerk in Times Square had fatally stabbed an alleged shoplifter. What surprised me even more was that the incident occurred at the CVS on Broadway and 49th Street, and not at the Duane Reade on Broadway and 50th Street. This particular stretch of Broadway, along with its surrounding blocks and subway stations, has become a hotbed of disorder and danger due to a combination of New York’s criminal justice reforms and the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
As a resident in close proximity to these stores, I find myself having to consider the risks associated with shopping at or even walking by one store versus the other. This situation highlights the decline of New York City and its deteriorating conditions. The statistics clearly demonstrate that what was once considered minor shoplifting has now become a crisis, mainly due to changes in New York’s criminal laws and the way these laws are enforced.
In 2019, the New York Legislature, led by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, reformed state laws to ensure that repeat shoplifters were not kept in jail awaiting trial. Then, in 2022, Manhattan’s new District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, declared that he would not prosecute shoplifting cases, regardless of what the law stated. According to Bragg, individuals who engage in shoplifting and pose minimal threats to store employees do not pose a genuine risk.
Since these changes, petty theft incidents have skyrocketed in New York’s Midtown North Precinct, where both the Duane Reade and the CVS are located. In 2019, there were 979 reported cases of petit larceny (typically minor shoplifting) in the first half of the year. Last year, that number increased to 1,161, and this year it has reached 1,331. In other words, shoplifting has increased by 36% since 2019, going from 979 cases to 1,331 in 2023.
However, these numbers do not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. For example, the NYPD’s CompStat map shows only one reported case of petit larceny at the Duane Reade and CVS in the first half of this year. This is far from accurate, as it is not uncommon to witness multiple shoplifting incidents taking place daily. These statistics fail to capture how the leniency towards shoplifting has contributed to the decline in public safety, order, and overall livability in Midtown North over the past few years.
Prior to 2020, the northern area of Times Square was home to three competing drugstores: Rite Aid, Duane Reade, and CVS. These stores were unremarkable but functional establishments where customers could grab what they needed and have a pleasant interaction with the clerks. However, as the pandemic took hold, the Rite Aid closest to me began implementing strict security measures, such as locking up products and stationing a visible security guard at the entrance. Despite these efforts, shoplifting continued, leading to the eventual closure of the store.
Now, the Duane Reade at 50th and Broadway has become the closest drugstore to my home. Owned by Walgreens, this 63-year-old New York institution has faced its fair share of challenges. While the staff remains friendly and polite, the store has become an unsafe environment. It is not uncommon to witness multiple shoplifting incidents taking place simultaneously, with thieves casually stealing and reselling items like energy drinks and ice cream. The security guard sometimes intervenes, but the situation remains precarious for both customers and employees.
As a customer, one must be cautious around shoplifters, who tend to be paranoid and may respond aggressively even to innocent bystanders. Using the store’s ATM can also be risky, as there is always someone lurking behind, assessing the potential for theft. These experiences have forced me to stop using the ATM altogether.
The deterioration of the Duane Reade extends beyond petty theft. The building where the store is located has been covered in scaffolding for years without any visible construction work being done. This scaffolding has become a shelter for shoplifters, illegal vendors, and other vagrants. The area is constantly littered with trash, and the presence of vagrants often leads to arguments and sometimes even violent confrontations. I have personally witnessed incidents of violence, including a non-fatal stabbing, and have been approached by aggressive vendors trying to steal my phone.
The nearby subway stations have also become hubs for criminal activity. They serve as entry and exit points for individuals seeking to exploit Times Square’s abundance of drugstores. The stations have experienced an increase in violence, such as random attacks on innocent bystanders. Unfortunately, all these factors culminated in a tragic incident last Thursday when Charles Brito, allegedly attempting to steal energy drinks, engaged in a violent altercation with Scotty Enoe, a store clerk at the clean and orderly CVS on 49th Street. Enoe, in an act of self-defense, stabbed Brito to death.
Enoe, a law-abiding individual with no prior criminal record, now faces a murder charge and sits in Rikers Island while awaiting his trial. This case is one of several incidents involving acts of violence that have emerged from minor acts of disorder in recent months. These incidents could have been prevented if proper policing and intervention had occurred to address the underlying issues.
In conclusion, New York City’s leniency towards shoplifting has resulted in a crisis that has plagued stores like Duane Reade and CVS in Midtown North. The rise in shoplifting incidents not only threatens public safety but also undermines the overall livability of the neighborhood. Urgent action is needed to address this issue and restore law and order to these once-functional establishments.
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