The Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) has introduced a new program to offer free self-defense classes to business owners and workers feeling unsafe in Flushing. These classes will be held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel Ballroom and taught by a professional martial artist specializing in Taekwondo. Participants must sign a waiver to join the weekly classes, which will run from April 3 to June 5 for individuals within zip codes 11354 and 11355.
During the classes, attendees will learn various self-defense techniques including kicking, grabbing, and de-escalation strategies to handle real-life situations. The initiative aims to address the increasing issues of commercial retail theft and homeless disturbances in the area, providing support to small business owners who may feel vulnerable due to rising crime rates and concerns about police response times.
Dian Song Yu, the executive director of the Flushing BID, emphasized the importance of empowering small business owners with self-defense skills. She hopes that these classes will bring comfort to participants and enable them to protect themselves in case of emergencies. Larger stores may have security guards, but smaller businesses may not, so this program aims to make all businesses in downtown Flushing feel safer and more secure.